Description:
GIAT Industries VAB (véhicule de l'avant blindé) is a family of armored vehicles designed to be employed on a wide range of missions. It features amphibious, NBC protected, wheeled, high mobility, air-transportable chassis available in either 4x4 or 6x6 configuration. It is powered by a 220/300-hp turbodiesel engine manufactured by Renault which allows top speed of 90+ kph. It carries 10/11 fully equipped troops along with a two-man crew. VAB can be equipped with guns/turrets of up to 25mm and missile systems.
Its lightweight armor provides full coverage protection against 7.62mm caliber ammunition and landmines. Fitted with add-on armor VAB can withstand ballistic impacts from 14.5mm ammunition. The 6x6 vehicle maximum weight equipped with add-on armor and maximum payload is 16 tons. VABs are specially well suited for peacekeeping operations due to its high mobility and flexibility. The French Army deployed the VAB during peacekeeping operations in the former Yugoslavia.
GIAT Industries is marketing the VAB in the roles of troops transport, infantry fighting vehicle fitted with 12.7mm or 25mm guns, command vehicle, anti-armor vehicle, 81mm mortar carrier, ambulance, recovery vehicle, NBC reconnaissance, equipment transport and security vehicle. More than 5,000 VABs have been produced so far. VAB was ordered by the French Army and 14 international customers.
Specifications Accommodation: Crew 2, Passengers 11
Guns: Main Gun Caliber 25 mm
Dimensions: Height 2.1 m, Width 2.5 m
Weights: Max Weight 14,800 kg (32,628 lb), Min Weight 10,500 kg (23,148 lb)
Performance: Max Range 1,000 km (540 nm), Top Speed 25 mps (49 kt)
Brunei Darussalam
France
Gabon
Indonesia
Italy
Lebanon
Morocco
Romania