Praga V3S vs Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé

5,470–8,650 kg (12,059–19,070 lb)^[source]

Czechoslovakia^[source]Inventory Origin column; table 5, row 11, cell 3; revision 1375987027; retrieved 2026-09-30

France^[source]Inventory Origin column; table 5, row 13, cell 3; revision 1377848214; retrieved 2026-10-01

Armoured personnel carrier^[source]

France^[source]

1979 – present^[source]

See Operators^[source]

Western Sahara War Lebanese Civil War Opération Épervier Gulf War Opération Turquoise Bosnian War War in Afghanistan 2003–2004 Indonesian offensive in Aceh Opération Licorne Operation Serval Opération Sangaris Opération Barkhane Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen Russo-Ukrainian War^[source]

GIAT Industries^[source]

1970–1977^[source]

5,000^[source]

10^[source]

cage, ballistic blanket 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^[source]

1 × AA52 7.62 mm machine gun or 1x M2 12.7mm machine gun^[source]

17 W/kg (23 hp/t)^[source]

wheeled^[source]

0.4 m (1 ft 4 in)^[source]

310 litres^[source]

Georgia^[source]

French armoured personnel carrier and support vehicle^[source]

An armoured double-door at the rear allows access to the passenger compartment. Two inward-facing, foldable benches provide seating for 5 soldiers each. The crew enters the front compartment through two lateral hatches, the driver on the left and gunner on the right; two additional hatches in the roof give access to armaments and provide emergency exits. The front windows are bullet-proof and heated. All the windows can be further protected by armoured panels, which can be shut entirely or leaving a small observation slit. The engine is located behind the driver, while the right side of the vehicle is kept free, providing a passageway between the crew and passenger compartments.^[source]Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé · Design; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

With a modest 13-tonne mass, the VAB can easily be airlifted for deployment abroad.^[source]Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé · Design; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

It's being marketed only in a 6x6 wheeled configuration with either a Renault MD7 engine developing 340 hp or a Caterpillar C7 developing 370 hp with automatic transmission.^[source]Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé · Design; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

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.^[source]Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé · Design / Armour upgrade; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The heavy machine gun version of the Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé carries a M2HB 12.7mm machine gun in an open turret; the light version sports the AA52 7.5mm machine gun in a similar arrangement.^[source]Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé · Design / Turrets; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The AA-52 is a 7.62mm GPMG mounted on the VAB has a length of 1,080 mm and a barrel length of 600 mm. Weighing 9.970 kg, this machine gun operates through a lever-delayed blowback action mechanism, enabling a maximum rate of fire of 900 rounds per minute. Its effective firing range spans 600 meters, with a maximum firing range of 3,200 meters. The AA-52 is equipped with a belt feed system and features Iron Removable APX (SOM) telescopic sights and an infrared scope for precision targeting. The ammunition utilized includes rifle rounds with a caliber of 7.62, compatible with cartridges such as the 7.5×54mm French and the 7.62×51mm NATO. With a muzzle velocity of 830 m/s, the AA-52 is capable of delivering sustained firepower with a basic load of 900 rounds.^[source]Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé · Design / Turrets; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

From 2007, the Army head of staff repeatedly requested that remotely operated 12.7mm turrets be fitted on these vehicles, as a crash requirement. 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.^[source]Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé · Design / Turrets; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

VAB VTT ( Véhicule Transport de Troupe ) – 4x4 APC version, crew of two and ten passengers and standard pintle mount for various compatible machine guns. VAB TOP ( tourelle TéléOPérée ) – VTT 4x4 fitted with a Kongsberg Protector (RWS) with 12.7mm machine gun and ceramic add-on armour. VAB AZURE ( Action en Zone URbaine ) – Urban warfare vehicle equipped with a dozer blade and with panoramic periscopes to observe and monitor. VAB ELI ( élément léger d'intervention ) – light recovery vehicle. VAB-VCAC MILAN (VCAC standing for Véhicule de Combat Anti-Char ) – French army variant of the VTT, fitted with a pintle mount for the MILAN system at the rear hull roof. VAB AT4CS – French army variant of the VTT, used by anti-tank teams armed with the AT4 CS 84 mm portable rocket launcher. VAB Eryx – French army variant of the VTT, used by anti-tank teams armed with the Eryx system.^[source]Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

VAB RATAC – Artillery target acquisition vehicle, carries a DR-PC 1a RATAC doppler radar with a range of 20 km.^[source]Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

VBR ( Véhicule Blindé de Reconnaissance ) – Similar to VIB but used by Génie de l'Air and fitted with a Capre turret with 20 mm F2 gun.^[source]Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

VCI T.20/13 ( Véhicule de Combat de l'Infanterie ) – VAB equipped with a turret mounted 20 mm gun recovered from old AMX-VCIs and refurbished and intended for fire support and for counter sniping.^[source]Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

VIB ( Véhicule d'Intervention sur Base ) – IFV version fitted with the Toucan system, a tele-operated turret fitted with a 20 mm cannon and a AA52 7.62 mm machine-gun. Used by the French Air Force for airfield defence.^[source]Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

VOA ( Véhicule d'Observation d'Artillerie ) – Artillery observation vehicle, fitted with a turret with day/night observation devices, laser range finder etc. This version is normally found in units equipped with the TR F1 towed 155 mm howitzer. The VAB OBS is an improved version.^[source]Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

VAB 2R2M — self-propelled mortar 120 mm.^[source]Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

VBC-90 : Armoured car variant with a 90 mm gun in a turret. In service with the Mobile Gendarmerie until 2004.^[source]Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

VAB 6x6 VPM 81 ( Véhicule Porte-Mortier ) – Mortar carrier with an 81 mm mortar firing through a roof opening. In service with Oman.^[source]Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

VAB 6x6 VDAA TA20 ( Véhicule de Défense AntiAérienne ) – Low-altitude air-defence vehicle, armed with a double 20 mm gun in a TA 20 turret. In service with Oman, Morocco and the Central African Republic.^[source]Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

VDAA ( Véhicule d'Auto-Defense Antiaèrienne ) – Anti-aircraft version with turret carrying two 20 mm cannon. Nine purchased by Oman National Guard.^[source]Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Version with 12.7 mm machine gun^[source]Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé · Gallery; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

• Reported operator · Algeria
• Reported operator · Czech Republic
• Reported operator · Slovakia
• Reported operator · Syria

• Reported operator · France
• Reported operator · Benin
• Reported operator · Brunei
• Reported operator · Central African Republic
• Reported operator · Chad
• Reported operator · Cyprus
• Reported operator · Gabon
• Reported operator · Indonesia
• Reported operator · Italy
• Reported operator · Ivory Coast
• Reported operator · Kuwait
• Reported operator · Lebanon
• Reported operator · Morocco
• Reported operator · Oman
• Reported operator · Saudi Arabia
• Reported operator · Tunisia
• Reported operator · United Arab Emirates
• Reported operator · Ukraine