2e REI received its new VBCI armored vehicles | French Foreign Legion Information

On January 31, 2015, the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI) of the French Foreign Legion received its first VBCI armored personnel carriers, replacing the previous armored vehicles of the regiment – VAB, used in 2e REI since 1982.

VBCI (Véhicule Blindé de Combat d’Infanterie – Infantry Combat Armored Vehicle) is a French new generation armored personnel carrier and support vehicle, produced by Nexter Systems and Renault since 2008. Some VBCI were tested within 2e REI between 2012 – 2014. Now, the regiment was equipped by 17 new VBCIs. This way, the 2e REI became the only Foreign Legion’s unit and the last of the 8 French regiments, which were supposed to receive these new vehicles, as a part of the French Army’s ongoing modernization.

For example, the 2e REP is also using the VAB as its infantry combat vehicle. In this case, the VAB is supposed to be replaced by the Multi-Role Armored Vehicle (Véhicules Blindés Multi-rôles, VBMR), called Griffon, between 2018 – 2025.

VAB of the 2e REI — The 2e REI’s VAB, used by the regiment since 1982

VBCI - 2e REI - 2 REI - 2REI — A new VBCI of 2e REI leaving a train in *Grézan* (Nimes). © **Photo credit**: *Midilibre.fr*

VBMR - GRIFFON — **VBMR – Griffon** to be used by French Army (and 2e REP) since 2018
© **Photo credit**: *Defense.gouv.fr*

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Photo credit (Nr.1 + Nr.3):
2e REI / Légion étrangère

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