September 7,
2008: As France begins receiving their
new wheeled (like the U.S. Stryker) IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle), the VBCI
(Véhicule Blindé de Combat d'Infanterie), they are also implementing an
innovative new support concept. The new twist, for insuring that the VBCI has a
95 percent readiness rate while stationed overseas (on peacekeeping or combat
duty), is a maintenance contract. The contractor will also supervise
maintenance while the vehicles are in France at their home bases. The French
Army is paying the Nexter company $77 million a year for this service.
The new French vehicle is the VBCI. It's an 8x8, 25
ton vehicle with a crew of two, plus a nine man infantry squad eight troops in
the back. Armament consists of a 25mm autocannon, and a 7.62mm machine-gun. Like the Stryker, the
VBCI has very up-to-date sensors and electronics. France has ordered 550 of the infantry version, and 150
command post (more electronics, fewer people) versions. The VBCI will replace
tracked AMX10 infantry vehicles. The VBCI vehicles cost about $5.5 million
each.
This
maintenance contract arrangement is increasingly popular in Europe,
particularly Britain. Nexter, like other contractors providing this service,
bill according to how heavily the vehicle is used. Repairing battle damage
costs extra. This maintenance concept has long been used in the commercial
sector, including heavy and complex equipment used in rough neighborhoods (like
oil exploration and extraction in harsh environments). So the military believes it will work for the
military. In some respects, the U.S. has proved the concept, without using
these contracts, by using a large number of civilian contractors for vehicle
maintenance and repair.
