On 13 November 2020, the French Delegation for Armaments (DGA) qualified the command postvehicle (EPC) variant of the GRIFFON vehicle. At the same time, the first examples are beingsubmitted for acceptance by the DGA's quality department at the Roanne site. Therefore, the threefirst GRIFFON EPC have been delivered to the Army technical section (STAT) which will continue theoperational evaluation of this equipment with its rapid deployment within the regiments in sight.

TheGME (temporary grouping of companies) EBMR (Engins Blindés Multi-Rôles) comprised of Nexter,Arquus and Thales is fully mobilized on the production of the first 20 series GRIFFON EPCs to bepresented to verification operations by the end of 2020. Ultimately, the SCORPION program calls forthe acquisition of 333 units of this variant, half of which will be delivered by 2025. As a reminder, theSCORPION program aims to modernize the Army's combat capabilities and in particular to improvecommand through new information resources.

The GRIFFON EPC can accommodate a pilot and a gunner in the front, and five soldiers in the rear ofthe vehicle. From an external point of view, the silhouette of the EPC does not differ from the VTTFélin variant (troop transport vehicle). Only the armament changes, with the integration on the roofof a new-generation T2 remotely operated turret armed with a 7.62mm caliber. Inside, on the otherhand, the GRIFFON EPC is fully equipped to accommodate a command post: communication means,large screens, a board and a printer.

This variant is designed to accommodate latest-generationelectronic equipment for collaborative combat: the vetronics common to the SCORPION platforms,the CONTACT joint radio, the SCORPION Combat Information System (SICS), the ANTARES optronicsystem offering the crew a 360° vision of the environment, as well as a gunfire location detector (orSLA, for Acoustic Localization System). In addition, the air-conditioning system adapts to allenvironments to guarantee crew’s comfort and the proper functioning of onboard electronics.

Thanks to its level of protection and mobility, the EPC variant of the GRIFFON enables a commandpost to be deployed quickly at the heart of operations. The force commander can thus conduct anengagement or monitor the progress of a regimental or brigade-level action. The arrival of theGRIFFON EPC is complementary to the GRIFFON VTT Félin, with the goal of projecting a joint battlegroup (GTIA) into a foreign theatre of operations by 2021.

Stéphane Mayer is delighted, on behalf of the GME formed by the three companies Arquus, Thalesand Nexter (of which he is Chairman and CEO), that this new milestone has been reached on time:“This qualification marks a new stage in the modernization of the French Army's equipment”.

Nexter, the leading French land defense company and third European player in the ammunition sectoris part of the KNDS Group. The scope of its business includes as well the supply of weapon systemsand ammunition for air and naval forces. Nexter also provides systems and protection solutions in thefield of homeland security. In France, Nexter is fully committedto meeting the objectives of the SCORPION program, through the upgrade of the Leclerc tank and thedevelopment of the VBMR Griffon and EBRC Jaguar vehicles as well as the Lightweight VBMR. Thegroup’s range of products also includes TITUS® and VBCI armored vehicles, CAESAR® and 105LG1artillery systems, smart ammunition (BONUS), robots, many equipment, as well as customer service,support and revaluation.

Arquus is a French Defense company, leader of land mobility solutions with more than 25,000 vehicles currently in service in the French Army. Arquus takes part in the VBMR GRIFFON and EBRC JAGUAR programs, which are the new generation of the French Army’s combat vehicles, in the framework of a Temporary Grouping of Companies. Arquus is notably in charge of designing and delivering the drivelines and the self-defense weapon systems for these two vehicles. Arquus also takes charge of all the logistics for the spare parts and organs of the VBMR and EBRC vehicles of the SCORPION program, thanks to its new logistics facility in Garchizy. Arquus presents complete support offers as well as remote-controlled weapon stations (the Hornet range, developed as part of the SCORPION program), vetronics solutions (Battlenet) and mobility capabilities (4x4, 6x6, 8x8 drivelines). Arquus is present in more than 60 countries worldwide.

Thales is a global high technology leader investing in digital and “deep tech” innovations – connectivity, big data, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and quantum technology. The company provides solutions, services and products that help its customers - businesses, organizations and states - in the defense, aeronautics, space, transportation and digital identity and security markets.