VBL Ultima

The VBL Ultima is an upgraded version of the French Véhicule Blindé Léger (VBL) light armoured vehicle, featuring enhanced protection, mobility, and firepower. It is designed for reconnaissance, escort, and command missions, offering improved performance over its predecessor.

Developed by Arquus under a contract awarded by the French defense procurement agency in 2015, the VBL Ultima program was initiated to extend the operational life of the aging Panhard VBL fleet by addressing engine obsolescence and weight-capacity issues. The modernized vehicles officially began entering service with the French Army in late 2020, featuring a new 130-horsepower diesel engine, upgraded suspension, and an improved braking system. These upgraded platforms were subsequently deployed to support French counter-terrorism operations in the Sahel region of Africa, demonstrating improved reliability in harsh desert environments. Currently, France is progressively upgrading approximately 730 vehicles to this standard, ensuring the VBL remains a viable reconnaissance asset until its eventual replacement by the future VBAE platform.