"The new VAB Ultima armoured for engineer troops..." Topic

…of French Army.

"On 5-8 January 2015, RENAULT TRUCKS Defense, together with the French Army technical unit (STAT) and the end users, approved the loading of all possible Engineer corps kits on this VAB Ultima Génie prototype. The French Army Engineers School seized this opportunity to give all its trainee officers and non-commissioned officers a presentation of their future vehicle.

The prototype of 60 VAB Ultima Génie, vehicles for Engineer regiments, is the result of close cooperation between the company and the French Government services. Its rapid development within the Limoges factory, thanks to highly effective cooperation between the design and development office, the factory and the buyers, allowed the vehicle to be tested and presented to the French Corps of Engineers 6 months after the contract was awarded.

The VAB Ultima Génie, derived from the VAB (front line armored vehicle) family, features the latest technological advances in anti-ballistic, anti-blast and IED protection and localizing of hostile fire, to provide a fast, effective response capability. This vehicle is produced by RENAULT TRUCKS Defense in the Limoges factory, from conventional VABs. These vehicles are completely rebuilt through an industrial process that may involve several contracts…"

Full article here
link

Amicalement
Armand

I gotta say the 6 wheeler looks sexier. i bought some in 1:56, I think they were from Force of Arms or S And S.

Doesn't look like it has the V-hull of MRAP vehicles…

That would be because it isn't a MRAP. The ULTIMA is simply an upgrade of the old, regular VAB.

And why is any military not buying MRAPs for vehicles to be used in combat?

Because MRAPS, while very good at what they do (protect passengers from IEDs), tend to be too big, too heavy, too clumsy off road.

Oshkosh M-ATVs or L-ATVs don't seem to have that problem.

Neither the M-ATV nor the L-ATV can carry a squad of infantry. The VAB does and weighs less than either. Different roles, different vehicles…

MRAPs are only suitable for a very particular type of conflict. They combine the complicated deployment of a tank, with the minimal combat effectiveness of HMMWVs. They're a force-protection asset and that's about it.