Land forces are a major component of French military operations. For many years, and in all these operations, the deployment of AFVs has been an essential element. With the single exception of operations in special conditions (jungle or alpine warfare, for example), it is inconceivable for troops to be committed to operations without having a high degree of protection. This usually implies the deployment of armour.

AFVs in service

In sustained commitments of medium power forces, peacekeeping and peacemaking operations are coercive interludes relatively limited both in time and in space. Current French land forces are well adapted to this type of mission, allowing France to have an influence on international decisions.

This situation is the result of an equipment acquisition policy initiated some 30 years ago. In 2006 the field army now operates more than 3,900 wheeled APCs (VAB–véhicule de l’avant blindé), produced in 30 different versions including troop transports, anti-tank weapons carriers and command posts. The first VAB was issued in 1974; it has now been in service for more than 30 years, participating in every operation. Of course, upgrading is now needed in the fields of mobility, protection, the ability for its section of infantrymen to fight mounted, and the ergonomics of the driver-commander compartment; however these do not affect an overall vehicle design which has proved itself in combat, and demonstrated its reliability in very varied situations worldwide.