PANHARD VLB - FRANCUSKI WSPÓŁCZESNY LEKKI SAMOCHÓD PANCERNY

The Panhard VBL (often only the term VBL is used) is a contemporary French universal wheeled transport and reconnaissance vehicle. The first prototypes were created in the late 1980s, and serial production started in 1990 and is still ongoing. The drive is provided by a single motor Peugeot XD3T power of 95 hp. The armament of the car is not permanent and depends on the version - most often it will be provided by a single 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm machine gun. The Panhard VBL was created in response to the demand of the French armed forces for a new, light vehicle dedicated to rapid reaction troops. The Panhard VBL is very mobile in the field and has the ability to overcome water obstacles without any special preparation. It is also possible to transport it by Airbus A-400M or C-130 Hercules. The vehicle is protected by armor, providing protection against weapons with a caliber of up to 7.62 mm and shrapnel. A dozen or so development versions of the Panhard VBL were produced in the course of serial production. One of them is designated VBL Milan and is equipped with anti-tank guided missiles of the same name. The VBL ERYX version, which uses Eryx anti-tank missiles, has a similar role. A reconnaissance version was also created - VBL RECO 12.7. Panhard VBL vehicles were used by the French army on missions in Afghanistan, Côte d'Ivoire and northern Mali. Panhard VBL vehicles have also found many foreign buyers, including Benin, Botswana, Greece, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates.