Французский бронетранспортер VAB: характеристики и модернизации

French armoured personnel carrier
Steel armour providing protection against 7.62 mm bullets, artillery shell splinters and anti personnel mines Upgrades with MEXAS composite armour and mine protection
Protection for up to 12.7 mm for the front and turret
| primary armament = 1 × AA52 7.62 mm machine gun or 1x M2 12.7mm machine gun
| secondary armament =
| engine = Renault MIDS 062045
| engine power = 235 kW (320 hp)
| transmission =
| fuel capacity = 310 litres
| speed = 7.92 km/h in water It has seen combat in various conflicts in Africa, Asia as well as Europe and has also been exported to more than 15 countries. A polyvalent military vehicle, the VAB has more than thirty variants and sub variants. Beyond their common primary role of transporting personnel and equipment in combat zones, some VAB are tailored for mechanized infantry combat, some fulfill the role of anti tank missile launchers, some of self propelled mortars, some are optimized for electronic warfare, others act as reconnaissance or artillery observation vehicles, etc. as of 2019, it still is the standard APC of the French Army but is gradually being replaced by its successors, the six wheel VBMR Griffon (introduced in 2019) and the four wheel VBMR L Serval (introduced in 2022).

The upgrade of the VAB with MEXAS composite armour aimed at increasing from protection against light infantry weapons to protection against heavy machine guns, typically 12.7 mm projectiles. This increased the weight of the vehicles by about two tonnes, thereby losing its amphibious capabilities. The amphibious shape of the hull, the relatively light weight and the armour upgrade seem to give the VAB strong resistance against mines. When exposed to an explosion from below, the VAB tends to be lifted in the air, allowing the force of the blast to disperse away from the vehicle. In particular, the hull shape and position of the wheels deflects the shock wave, helping maintain hull integrity. — or if the VAB rolls over. As of July 2007, all the personnel killed by mines aboard VABs had occupied the gunner position (though serious injuries were sometimes sustained by crewmen inside the hull). A program was launched, scheduling turret and battle command upgrades for over 500 VABs, now labeled VAB TOP (tourelle TéléOPérée). In May 2008, Renault Trucks Defense signed an eight year, 20 million euro contract with Kongsberg Gruppen of Norway, for equipping the VAB with subsidiary Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace's Protector Remote Weapon Station (RWS). Deliveries were scheduled from 2009 to 2016. From early 2009 onwards, about 60 VAB TOP were deployed in Afghanistan, seeing their first combat during the Battle of Alasay. Field experience shows a significant drop in ammunition consumption with the tele operated turret, whose computer allows the operator to fire efficient single shots, rather than bursts. This partially alleviates concerns raised by the need to reload this turret from outside.

Replacement of the VAB is scheduled for around 2020. A diesel electric vehicle stemming from the EBM10 EBM20 programme is due to be selected. The Armoured Multirole Carrier has been cited as a strong contender.

VABs have been deployed in virtually all theatres where French infantry troops were present, notably Kuwait, Côte d'Ivoire, Yugoslavia, and Chad. French troops supporting ISAF in Afghanistan also use the VAB. During the Uzbin valley ambush, a VAB was hit by a rocket propelled grenade, with no injuries. One soldier manning the rooftop machine gun of a VAB was later killed when the road collapsed under his vehicle and it rolled over. In March 2009, a VAB driver was killed by a rocket attack during the battle of Alasay.

VABs belonging to the Royal Moroccan Army (FAR) have seen heavy combat during the conflict with Polisario rebels of the Western Sahara.

A total of 95 VABs were delivered to the Lebanese Army between 1981 and 1984, being extensively employed during the Lebanese Civil War, with several vehicles serving under the Shia Amal Movement militia banner after the Army's predominantly Shia 6th Infantry Brigade went over to their coreligionists in February 1984. After the end of the war in the 1990s, additional VABs were delivered to the Lebanese Internal Security Forces (ISF) for use in the escort and internal security roles.

: There have been reports of Armenia acquiring 50 VAB Mk 3s alongside GM200 radars and Bastion armored vehicles.