Berliet VXB-170

VXB-170
A French Gendarmerie VXB
Type	Armoured personnel carrier
Place of origin	France
Service history
In service	1973 – present
Used by	France, Gabon, Senegal
Production history
Manufacturer	Berliet
Specifications
Weight	12.7 tonnes (12.5 long tons)
Length	5.99 m (19 ft 8 in)
Width	2.5 m (8 ft 2 in)
Height	2.05 m (6 ft 9 in)
Crew	1 or 2
Passengers	11 troops
Armor	7 mm
Main armament	1 × 7.62 mm machine gun
Secondary armament	37 mm or 40 mm grenade launcher
Engine	Berliet V800M 8-cylinder diesel engine 170 hp (130 kW)
Power/weight	23 hp/t
Suspension	wheeled
Operational range	750 km (470 mi)
Speed	85 km/h (53 mph)

The Berliet VXB-170 is a four-wheel armoured vehicle produced by Berliet until Berliet was merged with Saviem to form Renault Trucks (now Renault Trucks Défense).

Versions

There were originally three versions, internal security, reconnaissance and patrol, and light combat. The VXB was produced by both Berliet and Saviem, the Berliet version is equipped with hydrojets.

Operators

Map of VXB-170 operators

Current operators

•  France - 150 VXB's are in service with the mobile units of the French Gendarmerie. Called the "VBRG" (Véhicule Blindé à Roues de la Gendarmerie, "Gendarmerie wheeled armoured vehicle") for riot control. This version can be equipped with a water cannon, a bulldozer blade, a 7.62 mm (cal.30) AANF1 machine gun or a 56 mm ALSETEX Cougar grenade launcher. They are sometimes replaced by the VAB armoured car for overseas operations (such as Afghanistan).
•  Gabon - 15
•  Senegal - 12
•  United Nations - for peacekeeping operations

Former civilian operators

•  Tunisia - 10 (for police, now retired)

Former evaluation-only operators

•  South Africa - 1 (considered for Ratel prototype)^[1]

Gallery

• 

  VXB

• 

  VXB

References

1. Stefan, Marx. The VAB Family of Armoured Vehicles: NG and Improved Vehicles, Upgrades. pp. 1–40.

External links

• Renault Trucks Defense
• French VBRG site