On December 7th, 2018, the DGA notified the second tier of the VT4 program to ARQUUS. This tier comprises 1,200 new Standard 2 vehicles. Production and delivery of the Standard 2 started at the beginning of the year. ARQUUS is aiming at delivering 800 Standard 2 VT4 vehicles in 2019.
To meet this objective, the ARQUUS plant in Saint-Nazaire (France) has reworked its VT4 production line in order to add new work posts. The experience of the VT4 Standard 1 has also allowed reviewing the procedures to guarantee optimal efficiency and the highest possible level of quality.
The VT4 Standard 2 integrates 350 new references, and offers several new evolutions compared to Standard 1: integration of modern communication and positioning systems, extra racks, towing equipment, and blackout lights.
The VT4 Standard 2 is also designed to be air-transportable, in order to grant it extra tactical capabilities.
The VT4 is a 4x4, non-armored, light and versatile vehicle, designed for command post and liaison missions. It can accommodate 5 soldiers or 4 FELIN system-equipped operators. With its payload of up to 900kg, it is designed for homeland operations (Sentinelle, training, liaison), and for foreign operations in low-threat regions.
The services package, provided by ARQUUS, is totally integrated, innovative, with a firm commitment on technical operational readiness (90%) on the whole fleet.
3,700 ARQUUS VT4s will equip the Army by 2025, replacing the P4 vehicle. In 2018, the first 500 Standard 1 VT4s have been delivered to the French Army.
Business Area of the Volvo AB Group, ARQUUS is one of the three members of the short-term consortium to which the French Ministry of Defense awarded the Scorpion contract. The Group will be participating in the development of the new generation of wheeled armored personnel carriers for the French Army: the VBMR (multi-role armored vehicle) and the EBRC (armored reconnaissance and combat vehicle).
ARQUUS also supplies the powertrains and close defense remote control systems operated by these two vehicles. The company will also provide full logistics for spare parts and subsystems for the Griffon and Jaguar vehicles.
