The Popular All-Rounder

PANHARD, a French company manufacturing light tactical and combat vehicles, is one of the exhibitors at Russia Arms EXPO 2013 (RAE 2013), the IX International Exhibition of Arms, Military Equipment, and Ammunition. It is bringing to Nizhniy Tagil its popular VBL (Véhicule Blindé Léger – Light Armoured Vehicle) versatile light armored vehicle, currently used by France (1,600 units) and 16 other countries. The VBL has been exported to Abu-Dhabi, Gabon, Greece, Djibouti, Indonesia, Cameroon, Qatar, Kuwait, Mexico, Nigaeria, Oman, Portugal, and other countries.

The VBL has been used in many peacekeeping operations. It was first used in Yugoslavia, where it earned an excellent reputation as a multi-purpose high-mobility armored vehicle. These days, PANHARD offers about 30 variants of the VBL, with a total of over 2,400 units sold so far.
Riding on an independent suspension and powered by a 129-horsepower turbodiesel engine, the vehicle is capable of 110 kmh. The VBL can be armed with machine guns, ATGWs, or an anti-aircraft missile complex. The vehicle has a payload of 1.1 tons, crew and weapons included.
A distinguishing feature of the VBL is its monocoque body with up to three seats. This body type makes the vehicle amphibious, and there is an optional propeller driven by the main engine to increase the floating speed to 5.4 km/h. The car has 2.7 cubic meters of internal volume, protected according to STANAG 4569 from bullets, shrapnel, and anti-personnel mines. Besides, the VBL can be fitted with optional radiation, chemical, and biological protection kits, passive night vision systems, an air conditioner, a central tire inflation system, and run-flat tires.
French company PANHARD, part of RENAULT TRUCKS Defense from October 2012, specializes in the design and manufacturing of light tactical and combat transport vehicles weighing up to 5.5 tons, including air-droppable models.
RENAULT TRUCKS Defense, a holding company with ACMAT Defense and PANHARD Defense, is one of the leaders in the manufacturing of a wide range of tactical vehicles, wheeled armored vehicles, and armor vehicle drivetrains. RENAULT TRUCKS Defense is part of the Volvo Group multi-brand holding and a legacy supplier of the French Armed Forces. With offices in over 110 countries on five continents, RENAULT TRUCKS Defense guarantees full-cycle service for its customers including sales, servicing, and spare part supplies. 

Missions Possible

At Russia Arms EXPO 2013 (RAE 2013), the IX International Exhibition of Arms, Military Equipment, and Ammunition, ACMAT Defense, one of the world leaders in the design and manufacturing of combat armored vehicles and light trucks, will present its new lineup of the  BASTION, VLRA, and ALTV tactical combat vehicles.

Launched in 2010, the BASTION is designed on the underpinnings of the VLRA2 all-terrain truck. Combining great mobility, protection, and high carrying capacity, it is suited for various missions in extreme conditions. This all-wheel-drive truck can be used in military transport operations, by internal security forces, medics, and so on. Its high internal volume allows it to carry 10 to 12 people and protect them in accordance with STANAG 4569.
At RAE 2013, visitors will see different versions of the BASTION: BASTION APC, BASTION PATSAS, and BASTION APC Extreme Mobility, all of which can be further upgraded to suit individual customer needs. The BASTION PATSAS was designed by ACMAT Defense specialists on the base of experience acquired in conflicts in Africa and Middle East. The vehicle's open top allows it to carry heavy weapon systems, missile launchers, and surveillance systems. Like other open-top ACMAT Defense vehicles, the BASTION PATSAS is a unique solution for autonomous special operation missions requiring maximum tactical mobility and firepower.
The Bastion APC Extreme Mobility with a 320-hp engine was launched in 2012. Unlike the standard version, the new model has independent suspensions and armor protection ranging from level 1 to level 3. Its payload varies respectively from 3 tons (level 1) to 2.5 tons (level 2) and to 1.5 tons (level 3), while its mine protection rises to level 2a/2b. The Bastion APC Extreme Mobility carries eight troops and two crew.
Founded in 1984, ACMAT Defense became part of RENAULT TRUCKS Defense in 2006. ACMAT Defense is the manufacturer of the famous VLRA tactical transport vehicle family fielded by the French Army (over 1,200 units) and many other armed forces.

RENAULT TRUCKS Defense, a holding company with ACMAT Defense and PANHARD Defense, is one of the leaders in the manufacturing of a wide range of tactical vehicles, wheeled armored vehicles, and armor vehicle drivetrains. RENAULT TRUCKS Defense is part of the Volvo Group multi-brand holding and a legacy supplier of the French Armed Forces. With offices in over 110 countries on five continents, RENAULT TRUCKS Defense guarantees full-cycle service for its customers including sales, servicing, and spare part supplies.

French armor

French company RENAULT TRUCKS Defense, one of the world's leaders in the design and manufacturing of armored vehicles, will present its new lineup of tactical vehicles and light armor at Russia Arms EXPO 2013 (RAE 2013), the IX International Exhibition of Arms, Military Equipment, and Ammunition. The Sherpa Light family of 4x4 combat vehicles, designed to carry infantry and law enforcement personnel, is characterized by lightweight armor, excellent maneuverability, and great all-terrain mobility. These multi-purpose vehicles are easy to airlift and can be fitted with add-on armor kits (for ballistic, mine, and IED protection) and weapon systems without compromising mobility or payload.

The Sherpa Light is powered by a 215-horsepower Renault diesel with huge torque (800 Nm @ 1200-1700 rpm) and up to Euro V emission compliance. Its 0.6-m ground clearance guarantees great all-terrain capability and adds protection from IEDs. Besides, the Sherpa Light can climb gradients of up to 100% and side slopes of up to 40% and cross a trench up to 0.9 meters deep.   Its maximum fording capacity is 1.5 meters.
The Sherpa Light lineup now consists of 5 different versions to suit all needs of the military and internal security forces. Its unified drivetrain reduces maintenance and lifecycle costs. According to customer demands, the vehicles are available with different wheelbases, cabs, protection levels, weapons, and equipment.
At RAE 2013, visitors will see the Sherpa Light Scout. Available in both armored and unarmored version, this model is ideally suited for tactical missions such as reconnaissance, scouting, convoy escort, and so on. The vehicle is fitted with a roof-mounted weapon system and can carry 4 to 5 soldiers.
Along with the Sherpa Light Scout, RENAULT TRUCKS Defense will exhibit at RAE 2013 its Bastion Acmat and VBL vehicles.
RENAULT TRUCKS Defense, a holding company with ACMAT Defense and PANHARD Defense, is one of the leaders in the manufacturing of a wide range of tactical vehicles, wheeled armored vehicles, and armor vehicle drivetrains. RENAULT TRUCKS Defense is part of the Volvo Group multi-brand holding and a legacy supplier of the French Armed Forces. With offices in over 110 countries on five continents, RENAULT TRUCKS Defense guarantees full-cycle service for its customers including sales, servicing, and spare part supplies. 

Russia and France to cooperate at RAE

Major French manufacturers of armaments, military equipment, and electronics will take part in Russia Arms EXPO 2013 (RAE 2013), the IX International Exhibition of Arms, Military Equipment, and Ammunition. The news was announced in Yekaterinburg, at the XIV session of the Russia-France Military and Technical Cooperation Committee. Alexander Petrov, Chairman of the Government of Sverdlovsk District, presented the Exhibition to the French delegation. This presentation comes on the back of a long campaign by regional government and local companies to attract French exhibitors.

As a result major holdings such as Nexter, Renault Trucks Defense, Sagem Safran group and other companies, have already confirmed their participation in RAE 2013.

Considering the high status of the event, the French delegation will have among its members Gen. Colas Des Francs, Director General of Eurosatory, France's biggest weapons and military equipment exhibition.

Each of the French companies that have confirmed their participation produces a wide range of products for all arms of service. The Nexter Holding specializes in the manufacturing of tanks, tank munitions, and upgrade kits for currently fielded systems. Safran Sagem is the world leader in helicopter control systems and Europe's top manufacturer of UAVs. Renault Truck Defense has a long-standing reputation in the world as a manufacturer of armored vehicles and special-purpose trucks, whose 100-year experience is relied upon by armies of five continents.