Between March 10 and 12, 2021, the 13th Foreign Legion Demi-Brigade (13e DBLE) received its first Multi-Role Armored Vehicles (VBMR), known as the Griffon. As part of the French Army’s 2019–2025 modernization program, these armored personnel carriers are intended to replace the aging VAB armored vanguard vehicles, which have been in service since 1976.
The VBMR Griffons were delivered to the regiment’s base at Camp Larzac, in La Cavalerie in southern France, between Wednesday and Friday of that week. The 13e DBLE now operates ten Griffon vehicles. In production since 2018, the Griffon can be equipped with a 12.7 mm or 7.62 mm machine gun, or a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher. The vehicle provides protection against ballistic threats (up to 14.5 mm), artillery fragments (up to 155 mm), mines, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), nuclear, radiological, biological and chemical (NRBC) threats, as well as fire. See all the vehicle’s specifications: VBMR Griffon.
The first Legion instructors completed their Griffon training course at Camp des Garrigues, near Nîmes, in November 2020. Throughout 2021, they were scheduled to train future Griffon drivers and gunners within the 13e DBLE.
Priority training was assigned to the 3rd and 4th Companies of the Demi-Brigade. In 2022, these two companies were planned for deployment to Operation Barkhane in Mali, West Africa, equipped with Griffon vehicles, as part of the SCORPION program aimed at renewing and modernizing the French Army’s combat capabilities. According to the French Army, the first 32 Griffon vehicles were expected to take part in an operational deployment during the summer.
The 13e DBLE returned in 2016 from the United Arab Emirates, where it had only about 70 permanent personnel. Following its relocation to France, the regiment expanded to a strength of approximately 1,300 soldiers. Today, the 13e DBLE is structured as a modern, next-generation infantry unit within the French Army.
In mid-2017, the 13e DBLE became the first French Army regiment to receive the HK 416 F, the new standard French Army assault rifle. It is also among the first French units to be equipped with the Griffon armored vehicle.
Info & images source: French Armed Forces official website
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