| VXB-170 | |
| Origin: | France |
| Type: | Armoured personnel carrier |
| Is Vehicle: | yes |
| Service: | 1973 – present |
| Used By: | See Operators |
| Manufacturer: | Berliet |
| Weight: | 12.7t |
| Length: | 5.99m (19.65feet) |
| Width: | 2.5m (08.2feet) |
| Height: | 2.05m (06.73feet) |
| Crew: | 3 |
| Passengers: | 6 to 8 troops |
| Armour: | 7 mm |
| Primary Armament: | 1 × 7.62 mm machine gun |
| Secondary Armament: | 56 mm grenade launcher |
| Engine: | Berliet V800M 8-cylinder diesel engine |
| Engine Power: | 170hp |
| Pw Ratio: | 23 hp/t |
| Suspension: | wheeled |
| Vehicle Range: | 750km (470miles) |
| Speed: | 85km/h |
The Berliet VXB-170 is a four-wheel armoured vehicle used primarily as an internal security vehicle. Developed and initially produced by Berliet until Berliet was merged with Saviem to form Renault Trucks (now Arquus),[1] it lost to the Saviem VAB the competition to equip the French Army, even though it was cheaper than its competitor. Production stopped after fewer than 200 vehicles had been produced.
In 1967, the BL-12 was presented as a concept for the French military for transportation.[2]
It was selected in 1972 by the French Gendarmerie, but it lost out to the Saviem VAB the competition for equipment of the French Army. Following the merger of Berliet and Saviem under the Renault brand in 1974, became redundant in the brand product offering so production was stopped soon after the Gendarmerie order was complete.
The VXB-170 was known as Véhicule blindé à roues de la Gendarmerie ("Gendarmerie wheeled armoured vehicle") or VBRG.[2]
The VXB-170 has a V8 170 hp engine has a top speed of 80 km/h.[2] It can cover inclines of 60% and transverse cambers of 30%.[2]
It has a small turret on the roof that can be equipped with a 7.62mm machine gun.[3]
The VXB-170 was developed under the following:[3]
South Africa - 1 (considered for Ratel prototype)[9]