With the arrival of the first units in Estonia to participate in NATO Exercise Springstorm 2024, The French Army confirmed that this will be the first operational deployment of its new EBRC Jaguar 6×6 wheeled armored vehicles. The news released over the weekend through the force’s social networks also coincides with the final preparations to begin multinational activities.
Between May 6 and 17, Estonia will witness Exercise Springstorm 2024, which brings together 14,000 troops and assets from the Armies of Canada, the Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States. As in previous editions, the purpose of the multinational and annual activity is the preparation of defensive operations within a scenario proposed within Article No. 5 of NATO. This will be focused on the Estonian town of Pärnu, as well as on the islands Hiiumaa and Saaremaa.
The participation of the French Army has stood out since it is the first operational deployment in this type of exercise of the new EBRC Jaguar armored vehicle. Emerging from the Scorpion Program, it is one of the three new armored vehicles developed and manufactured by France to renew a significant number of units that required a renewal of their means. In this specific case, the Jaguar is intended to replace various armed reconnaissance vehicles used by the forces over the last decades on a single platform. Among these are the AMX-10 RC, ERC 90 Sagaie and VAB HOT.
Among some features of the new Jaguar, its main weapon, mounted in a two-person turret, can be highlighted. It is the CTA International CT40 cannon that fires 40 mm telescopic ammunition. Two Akeron MP anti-tank guided missiles are mounted on the turret launcher with two reloads stored inside. It also carries a 7.62 mm remote-controlled machine gun mounted on the top of the turret and eight smoke grenades.
*Photographs: French Army.
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