HELLER VBCI 1/35
The VBCI (véhicule blindé de combat d'infanterie - Armoured Vehicle for Infantry Combat) is designed to transport, protect and support infantry combat groups and their means of command. After the failure of the VBM project (Véhicule Blindé Modulaire - Modular Armoured Vehicle) which was launched at the start of the 1990's, France commissioned Nexter Systems and Renault Trucks Defense to develop the VBCI in November 2000. The first prototype was presented to the public on 10th May 2004. After an intensive testing campaign, the 35th Infantry Regiment was the first Army unit to be equipped with the VBCI which replaced the AMX-10P. The VCBIs deployed in Afghanistan since April 2010 are characterised by specific equipment, including protective anti-RPG nets and an anti-mine casing under the chassis. In June 2012, 400 of the 630 VBCI's - the VCI (Infantry Combat Vehicles) and VPC (Command Post Vehicles) - were delivered.
Crew: 11 (1 commander, 1 driver, 1 gunner, 8 men)
Weight: 29t (normal combat mode)
Length: 7.80m
Width: 2.98m
Height: 2.26m
Maximum speed: 100 Km/h
Armament: 1 x 25mm cannon and a co-axial 7.62mm machine gun. |
