- published: 09 Jul 2015
- views: 4619
The Véhicule Blindé de Combat d'Infanterie (VBCI, "Armoured vehicle for infantry combat") is a French Infantry fighting vehicle designed to replace the AMX-10P. They joined active service in 2008, with 630 vehicles ordered up to 2010. Other countries like Spain have shown interest in the VBCI.
The Véhicule Blindé de Combat d'Infanterie is built on an aluminium hull which carries a modular THD steel and titanium armour, which can be replaced in the field. The 8x8 wheel combination is designed to make the VBCI more comfortable and less costly than a tracked vehicle, while giving it sufficient mobility to back the Leclerc tank. The VBCI is also designed to be transportable by the Airbus A400M, with an empty mass less than 18 tonnes (full load mass up to 28 tonnes).
In the early 90s, the French government started the VBM (Véhicule Blindé Modulaire — Modular Armoured Vehicle) as a replacement for its older IFVs. Soon, Germany and the United Kingdom joined the project. However, in 1999, the programme came to a dead-end, and France decided to follow on its own.
I've been away a year and a day
You recognize love after the fact
You did what you did and that was that
Don't say words that you don't mean
When I'm gone, please speak well of me
Looking back now
I only wish I had been kinder
Did I ever know love, did I ever know love?
And could I have been blinder?
Don't hold back all your love for someday, for someday
I would say that I'm sorry if it would do any good
But to never regret means you have to forget