GTD and NEXTER Systems have signed a collaboration agreement for the joint development of the Future Armoured Vehicle 8x8. This program is driven by the Spanish Army , who wants the first vehicle to be delivered in 2012. GTD and NEXTER Systems (formerly GIAT Industries) are willing to promote the French car-based platform “VBCI” in response to the technical requirements of the Spanish FSCT (Future Ground Combat System) 8x8. This vehicle will substitute the actual (and obsolete) 6x6 BMR , actually in operations in Afghanistan as well as in Lebanon. Spanish Army needs several hundreds of those vehicles to be delivered progressively during the next decades. The VBCI within the range of 8x8 armoured vehicles introduced today, the best balance between capability, mobility, protection and sustainability. This 28-ton vehicle, can carry 11 soldiers, including the crew, their equipment and can integrate various combat weapons systems, communications, sensors and electronic warfare. The high levels of protection built into the VBCI safeguard the integrity of the troops against all current threats (missiles, mines, IED, …) in the new areas of operations. Its modular design allows you to quickly adapt to changing threats, incorporating the most advanced technologies of protection. NEXTER is a strategic French State-Owned company specialized in design and manufacturing of Military ground vehicles, Systems armored weapon systems, weapon systems and ammunition. NEXTER has a cooperation agreement with BAE Systems, Bofors, Renault Trucks Defense, EADS, Thales and Sagem. NEXTER products are present in over 100 countries. Its turnover is 579 million euros, and it employs 2,700 people. For its part, GTD has over 22 years developing systems and products for aerospace and defense. With more than 300 engineers, the group is strong in its growth, which testifies to a very comfortable business portfolio and an excellent level of technology.
