VBC-90

The VBC-90 (Véhicule Blindé de Combat - armoured combat vehicle) is a 6x6 armoured car equipped with a 90 mm high velocity gun in a GIAT TS 90 rotating turret.

It equips the armoured squadron of the Mobile Gendarmerie, with 32 units built.

Design
The VBC-90 was developed by Renault Véhicules Industriels based on Renault's Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé (VAB) wheeled armoured personnel carrier, which had been built in large numbers for the French army. Unlike the VAB, it was not designed to meet an official requirement, being intended to meet export requirements.

It has a steel hull armoured to protect against small arms fire. It has a crew of three, with the driver sitting at the front of the vehicle with three bullet-proof windows provided for the driver. A GIAT TS 90 turret carries the commander and gunner, and carries an armament of a 90 mm cannon with a co-axial 7.62 mm machine gun. 20 rounds of 90 mm ammunition are carried in the turret, with a further 25 rounds in the hull.

It is powered by a six-cylinder diesel engine mounted at the rear of the hull, driving a 6x6 drive. The vehicle is not amphibious, unlike the VAB on which it was based.

History
The first prototype VBC-90 was completed in 1979. The French National Gendarmerie placed an order for 28 VBC-90s, with deliveries starting in 1983. A further six VBC-90s were purchased by Oman, but no further production followed.