Thales announced on 6 February, 2024, that in conjunction with Nexter and Arquus, it had delivered a total of 575 Griffon and 60 Jaguar vehicles to the French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) in 2023, meeting commitments under the 2019-2025 military programming law.
Jaguar and Griffon are part of France’s wider Scorpion project to deliver 6,000 new vehicles to the French Army that are connected via a networked system.
A contract signed with the French army in 2020, as part of a major recapitalisation of the country’s ground forces, saw an order place for 1,872 Griffon and 300 Jaguar vehicles by the end of 2030, with 936 Griffons and 150 Jaguars to be delivered by 2025.
On June 16, 2023, the DGA also approved the Griffon VOA artillery observation vehicle. The 3rd Marine Artillery Regiment (3e RAMa) received its first units of this model, which features a retractable optronic observation mast equipped with advanced technology for surveillance, telemetry, pointing, and laser designation.
The Griffon VOA, intended to be part of the ATLAS artillery fire management system, also supports the incorporation of the Information Surveillance Means (MURIN) tactical surveillance radar.
The first Griffon “Sanitaire” (SAN) model by the EBMR company grouping was also introduced in 2023. This version, designated for the French Army Health Service, is set for delivery in early 2024.
These developments are part of the SCORPION program, an initiative aimed at transforming the capabilities of the French Army. The program includes the Jaguar armoured reconnaissance and combat vehicle (EBRC) and the Griffon armoured multi-role vehicle (VBMR), along with Serval light VBMR vehicles.
A key feature of these vehicles is the SCORPION combat information system (SICS), which facilitates collaborative combat through real-time communication and battlefield digitisation. Since late 2023, the 6th Light Armoured Brigade (6e BLB) is to be the first SCORPION Joint Armoured Brigade (BIA) to test and implement these new combat capabilities.
The Jaguar is a 25-tonne vehicle equipped with a 40mm cannon and MMP missiles. It features a state-of-the-art turret, advanced electronics developed by Thales, and a new-generation chassis by Arquus.
The Griffon, a 24-tonne vehicle, is versatile in its functions, capable of troop transport, command, communication, artillery observation, and more. It has been operational in the Sahel since 2021 and is noted for its operational efficiency on flat terrain, ease of maintenance, and mobility.
Other SCORPION vehicles share similar features, including remotely operated turrets.
