Transforming the civilian car into a “mobile command post”: Renault and Thales present their multi-mission military vehicle for the French army

This prototype, called “4 Troop”, was created in response to a request made by the General Directorate of Armaments, to meet the new operational needs expressed by the armed forces.

Renault and Thales are presenting this week at the Eurosatory exhibition a prototype of a multi-mission land military vehicle, integrating Thales technological solutions into production Renault vehicles. The objective of this multi-role civilian vehicle (VCMR) is in particular to be able to turn a production car into a “mobile command post”, the two groups announced on Monday June 15.

Called 4 Troop, this vehicle created at the request of the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) can be designed from several standard Renault vehicles, ranging from SUVs to light utility vehicles. It can carry out a variety of missions: “reconnaissance, coordination on the ground, escort, logistical support, surveillance of sensitive areas, or deployment of drones and robots”, indicate the two groups in a joint press release.

The R4 and other vehicles from the group (Rafale, Dacia Bigster, utility vehicles, etc.) can serve as a base for 4 Troop,

a précisé au

Parisian

Ombeline Suzanne, director of special projects and partnerships at Renault. Flying and terrestrial drones can be controlled directly from the dashboard for this vehicle which Renault indicates it can manufacture from 2027.

This partnership with a civilian manufacturer like Renault allows rapid mass production while integrating Thales’ main communication capabilities and innovations created for land military vehicles in the Scorpion range, used by the French army.

“By relying on proven civil platforms and our industrial capacity, we offer an agile, resilient and immediately mobilizable solution,” argues a Renault manager in the press release. “More than a technological development, 4 Troop embodies the fusion between Thales’ expertise and the vehicles’ on-board digital systems,” adds Thales.

Manufacturers in defense mode

Renault’s announcement constitutes a new foray by the car manufacturer into defense activities, after the announcement of the Chorus project with the company Turgis Gaillard, a large drone which can transport a large explosive charge and which will be mass-produced in its Le Mans factory from this year. According to

The Parisian

the DGA has already placed a firm order of 90 million euros, a figure that Renault did not want to confirm.

On the German side, Mercedes-Benz distinguished itself by announcing a partnership with the defense start-up Tytan, to develop anti-drone defense systems that can be embarked on board famous models of the brand. the star, including the G-Class all-terrain vehicle, or the Sprinter van.