FRENCH ARMOURED VEHICLES FOR THE NATIONAL GUARD - TALK OF 80 GRIFFONS AND 100 SERVALS - Filenews 28/3 by Andreas Pogiatzis
The National Guard wants to acquire a large number of French-made wheeled vehicles, through the SAFE regulation, according to today's report in the French newspaper La Tribune. As Filenews revealed in an article last December, in the list of the Ministry of Defense, there are two options, both from the French industry. It is worth mentioning that Cyprus maintains a tradition in armoured armaments of French origin and the choice of the French market is not at all accidental.
The French publication states that Nicosia is considering the purchase of about 80 Griffon vehicles and about 100 Servals from KNDS France, while part of them may carry MBDA's Akeron MP anti-tank missiles. In addition, La Tribune claims that talks are underway with the French company Arquus to upgrade about 80 armoured VABs from the National Guard fleet.
The same report points out that Cyprus has already moved in recent years in the direction of French defense armaments.
The properties of VBMR Griffon
The VBMR Griffon (Véhicule Blindé Multi-Rôle), is an armoured personnel carrier, developed by a consortium of companies such as Nexter (now KNDS), Arquus and Thales Group.
Key features:
Role: Transporting and supporting infantry on the battlefield
Crew: 2–3 people + up to 8 soldiers
Mobility: 6×6 wheeled, high agility in urban environment and rough terrain
Protection: Shielding against ballistic threats, mines, and improvised explosives (IEDs)
Armament: Remote-controlled weapon station with machine gun 12.7mm. or a 40mm grenade launcher.
The Griffon is part of the French Scorpion Army modernization program, aimed at network-centric combat and enhancing interoperability between units. It is used for troop transport, reconnaissance, command and support operations.
The Properties of VBMR-L Serval
The VBMR-L Serval (Véhicule Blindé Multi-Rôle Léger Serval), is a lightweight multi-role armoured vehicle, designed for rapid deployment and high-mobility operations. It was developed by Nexter (KNDS), Texelis and Thales Group.
Key features:
Role: Light Infantry/Multi-Mission Transport Vehicle
Crew: 2 people + up to 6 soldiers
Mobility: 4×4 wheeled, designed for rapid growth and operations in rough terrain
Weight: Approximately 15–17 tons (lighter than Griffon)
Protection: Shielding against small arms, mines, and IEDs
Armament: Remote-controlled weapon station with a 7.62 or 12.7mm machine gun. or grenade launcher
The Serval is part of the French Scorpion program and is intended for missions where speed, agility and rapid reaction are required, such as:
- Recognition
- Special Operations
- Businesses in an urban environment
- Rapid transfer of units
Compared to the VBMR Griffon, the Serval is lighter and faster, with lighter shielding and is rated as better suited for agile, rapid operations.
