Troops disembark from a Serval light tactical vehicle. Credit: KNDS France.
  • France’s Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) has delivered 30 SERVAL vehicles to the army under its SCORPION programme for new generation armoured vehicles
  • A contract was initially awarded to KNDS France, TEXELIS and their subcontractors at the end of December 2024
  • The French Army will deploy three variants: a combat variant firing Mistral 3 missiles, a counter-uncrewed air system (C-UAS) variant, and tactical communications

The French Army will field 30 SERVAL vehicles according to the Armed Forces Ministry while the induction of another 500 units will be spread out until 2033.

There will be three distinct tactical ground vehicles within the wider  SCORPION programme for a fleet of new-generation armoured vehicles. SERVAL will operate alongside the 6×6 GRIFFON troop carrier and the 6×6 combat and reconnaissance JAGUAR.

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While each of the three-wheeled ground vehicles shares a common digital nervous system, they serve distinct tactical roles.

With that in mind, the 4×4 SERVAL will serve as a lightweight multi-role armoured vehicle optimised for rapid deployment and support in the field. Weighing between 13t to 15t and with a top speed of 100km/h, the light vehicle can host a crew of up to ten soldiers.

Pictured: SERVAL light tactical vehicle. Credit: KNDS France.

Crucially, the vehicle incorporates a reinforced suspension for greater manoeuvrability and protection against ballistics, mines and improvised explosive devices. Sat atop the vehicle, there is a remotely operated cupola equipped with a 12.7mm or 7.62mm machine gun, or a 40mm automatic grenade launcher.

Mobile fires, C-UAS, SATCOM

The combat variant will integrate a sheltered turret allowing troops to launch fire-and-forget Mistral 3 missiles.

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This is the preferred munition for the difficult terrain in which SERVAL would operate due to the Mistral 3’s independent lock-on and guidance technology.

Mistral 3 Atlas launcher integrated onto the back of a mobile platform. Credit: MBDA.

The most important SERVAL variant will arguably be the mobile C-UAS platform. Leading analytics company GlobalData indicates that the saturation of drones in the battlespace necessitates the cultivation and procurement of robust C-UAS systems capable of countering a range of drone threats (groups 1–5).

According to a press release from the French Government, this variant will carry a combination of sensors and effectors: a radar, a radio frequency detection system, a firing guide, and a rotating weapon system (which would use specialised ammunition).

The last variant would perform tactical communications on the ground using a Syracuse IV satellite communications (SATCOM) capability. In 2024, the service ordered 30 ground-based Syracuse IV SATCOM terminals to mount onto its SCORPION vehicles under what is known as the “Neptune contract”.

Army Technology contacted the French Ministry of the Armed Forces but could not confirm the specific variant of the first 30 SERVAL vehicles delivered before the time of publication.