The Nexter Group has signed the Support in Service (MSS) contract for the VBCI armored infantry combat vehicle, at a ceremony held in Satory Friday.

The Central Director of the SIMMT (The French Ministry of Defense Maintenance in Operational Condition Department), General Jean-Yves Dominguez, and the CEO of Nexter Systems, Philippe Burtin, are thus continuing the substantial work already carried out between their teams and ensuring the continued availability of the fleet for the next 10 years.

On August 1, 2014, this market will take the place of an initial contract (Series Logistics), which has demonstrated its effectiveness by successfully supporting operations such as PAMIR in Afghanistan, DAMAN in Lebanon, SERVAL in Mali, as well as the maintenance of the training fleet in Champagne.

With an organization structured around purchase orders, it will enable the Army to regulate financial commitments to meet their needs based on the actual use of the fleet. Technical expertise services will concurrently ensure the continued existence of supply flows.

This contract, which comes in addition to the support contracts for LECLERC and CAESAR® fleets, confirms the position of Nexter as a major partner of the French Army.

Nexter applies its expertise in land defense systems to meet the needs of the French army and other forces internationally. The scope of its business includes the supply of weapons systems and munitions for Army, Air Force, Navy and law enforcement applications. In 2013 Nexter reported revenue of Euros 787 million, of which 18% were allocated to Research & Development.

The range of products offered by Nexter includes: Artillery systems CAESAR®, TRAJAN and, 105LG1, Leclerc main battle tank, VBCI Infantry combat vehicle, ARAVIS® highly protected armored vehicle, TITUS®, Nexter new armored 6x6, BONUS smart ammunition, all backed up by customer service, support and recycling.