| Petit Véhicule Protégé | |
| Origin: |  France |
| Type: | Light armoured vehicle, 2-door truck |
| Is Vehicle: | yes |
| Is Uk: | yes |
| Used By: | See Operators |
| Manufacturer: | Panhard |
| Production Date: | 2008–2012 |
| Variants: | See Variants |
| Number: | 1133 |
| Unit Cost: | €167,000 (FY 2012) |
| Armour: | STANAG 4569 (6 to 10 mm) |
| Crew: | 2 to 4 |
| Length: | 4.6m (15.1feet) |
| Width: | 2.28m (07.48feet) |
| Height: | 2.17m (07.12feet) |
| Weight: | 4,390 kg |
| Primary Armament: | Medium machine gun |
| Engine: | IVECO 8140 2.8 litre turbo-diesel |
| Engine Power: | 160hp |
| Suspension: | Wheeled 4 x 4 |
| Speed: | 120km/h |
| Pw Ratio: | 34 hp/tonne |
| Vehicle Range: | 800km (500miles) |
The Petit Véhicule Protégé[1] ("Light Protected vehicle")[1] is a light, general-purpose armoured 4-wheel drive vehicle used by the French Army, made by Panhard. It is also designated as Auverland A4 AVL (Armoured Vehicle Light). Built by Auverland, it is one of the successors to the Peugeot P4.
It's intended mostly as personnel carrier, weapon carrier, and for reconnaissance, detection and communications purposes.
In 2004, the first batch of 314 vehicles was ordered. The first vehicles were delivered in February 2008 and production ended in July 2012. 100 vehicles will be fitted with the WASP light RWS. It is expected that the French DGA will order an additional 300 PVP vehicles.
The 2009-14 military budget originally called for a total of 1500 PVPs, but this was reduced to 1233 in 2010 and 1133 in 2012. In the end, 1073 were delivered to the Army at a total cost of €242.7m (~US$325m) for a unit cost of €167,000 (~US$220,000), or €226,000 (~US$300,000) including development costs.[2]
The PVP is modular, allowing extra seats to be added for more personnel, or to be used as a light truck. The armour, made of steel and aluminium, offers level 2 protection (STANAG 4569) for the crew and the engine. The floor is protected against antipersonnel mines (type DM 31).
Chile – 15 PVP delivered (Chilean Marines and Grupo de Operaciones Policiales Especiales)[8] France – 1073 PVP delivered for the French Army and French police elite unit RAID
Mali - Said to operate an unknown number of PVPs.[9]
Romania – 16 PVP delivered from 2012–15.[10]
Togo – 6 PVPs delivered in 2008 for Togolese forces deployed with MINURCAT.[11]