France gives Ukraine VAB armored vehicles: why this French APC is interesting

By: Myroslav Trinko | 29.06.2022, 11:47

Yesterday we wrote that France plans to give a large number of VAB armored vehicles to Ukraine. We have studied the armored personnel carrier and now we will tell you why it is interesting.

What we know

VAB (Vehicule de l'Avant Blinde) is french front line armored vehicle. It was developed by Renault and Saviem. Serial production of the car began in 1976. More than 5,000 were made in total in different variants and modifications. The machine has versions with two and three axles. 

The armored personnel carrier can accelerate up to 110 km/h. It has steel armor and is most often equipped with a single machine gun. Such an armored personnel carrier can accommodate up to 11 people (crew + troops). The machine is also interesting in that it is not afraid of mines. During the explosion, the armored personnel carrier rises a little into the air and spreads the shock wave away from the vehicle. 

France has about 4,000 such vehicles in service. By the way, they were used in the Gulf War, as well as in various peacekeeping missions. In addition, this APC was actively exported. Now it can be found in 15 countries around the world.

For those who want to know more