October 31, 2007: France is
joining most other European nations, and replacing some, or all, of their tracked
armored infantry vehicles with wheeled ones (like the U.S. Stryker). The new
French vehicle is the VBCI. It's an 8x8, 25 ton vehicle with a crew of three,
plus eight troops in the back. Armament consists of a 25mm autocannon, and a
7.62mm machine-gun. Like the Stryker, the VBCI has very up-to-date sensors and
electronics. France has ordered 550 of the infantry version, and 150 command
post (more electronics, fewer people) versions. The VBCI will replace tracked
AMX10 infantry vehicles. The VBCI vehicles cost about $5.5 million each, and
first deliveries will take place next year.