Véhicule blindé de combat d ' infanterie The Véhicule Blindé de Combat d ' Infanterie ( VBCI , " Armoured vehicle for infantry combat " ) is a French Infantry fighting vehicle designed to replace the AMX - 10P . They joined active service in 2008 , with 630 vehicles ordered up to 2010 . Other countries like Spain have shown interest in the VBCI . The " Véhicule Blindé de Combat d ' Infanterie " is built on an aluminium hull which carries a modular THD steel and titanium armour , which can be replaced in the field . The 8x8 wheel combination is designed to make the VBCI more comfortable and less costly than a tracked vehicle , while giving it sufficient mobility to back the Leclerc tank . The VBCI is also designed to be transportable by the Airbus A400M , with an empty mass less than 18 tonnes ( full load mass up to 28 tonnes ) . History . In the early 90s , the French government started the VBM ( Véhicule Blindé Modulaire — Modular Armoured Vehicle ) as a replacement for its older IFVs . Soon , Germany and the United Kingdom joined the project . However , in 1999 , the programme came to a dead - end , and France decided to follow on its own . On November 6 , 2000 , the French government ordered 700 vehicles and the programme was carried on . In 2003 - 2004 , the programme reached some major milestones : The mobility / agility tests , the armour tests and the electronic systems tests were all successful . From 2004 to 2005 , the first 5 prototypes ( 4 VCIs and 1 VPC ) were tested in real conditions . These tests proved some crucial design mistakes on the DRAGAR turret , which had to be redesigned . The 2 years delay in the programme are consequences of this design flaw . As the programme reaches completion , other versions are being studied . A mortar version and a vehicle using the MILAN Missile have been considered by the developer . Note that none of these versions are being developed as of now , but feasibility studies are being conducted . In June 2007 , VBCI was being considered for the British FRES programme . As of 2010 , 630 VBCIs have been ordered , at a total cost of €2 . 86 billion . The 200th VBCI was delivered to the French army on 23 June 2010 . The 400th VBCI was delivered to the French army on 12 June 2012 . The first unit to be equipped with the new infantry fighting vehicle was the 35th Infantry Regiment in Belfort . The 500th VBCI was delivered to the French Army on 8 July 2013 . Delivery of 110 command post vehicles has been completed . Common features for all versions include SIT ( Système d ’ Information Terminal ) communication equipment , combat identification equipment , and NBC detection and protection equipment . C4ISR . The VBCI will be completely integrated in the French C4ISR capability . The VCI version will use the SIT ( Système d ’ Information Terminal — The lowest level of C4IST in the French forces ) , while the VPC will use the SIR ( Système d ’ Information Régimentaire — A higher level in the same system ) . The vehicle will be designed to primarily carry soldiers equipped with the FÉLIN system . DRAGAR Turret . The DRAGAR Turret ( GIAT INDUSTRIES ) is a single seat modular design turret integrating a 25 mm stabilized gun . Fire control integrates a laser telemeter and a thermal camera . The rate of fire is up to 400 rounds / min , and the turret allows anti - air self - defence . It also includes a coaxial 7 . 62 mm machine gun for close defence and a Galix grenade launching system .