French military vehicle manufacturer Arquus Defense will partially reopen its production facilities this week, with plans to gradually open up all four of its production facilities in France.

In an announcement, the company says that priority will be given to “all essential programs”, beginning with production activities linked to the EBMR (Engin Blindé Multi-Rôle) Griffon 6×6 armoured truck program.

This will see its facility in Marolles-en-Hurepoix resume work manufacturing mechanical parts restarts in close concert with its Limoges plant, which is responsible for complete mobility kits for the Griffon.

This will be followed by activities restarting at Saint-Nazaire for the VT4 unarmoured utility vehicle, along with the resumption of sustainment activities on the French Army’s VAB 4×4 wheeled armoured vehicles at Garchizy.

According to the company, the resumption of production activities are taken in concert with health recommendations in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. France, like several other countries in western Europe, has been hard hit by COVID-19, resulting in a strict lockdown enacted by the French government in an effort to stem the spread of the virus.

Formerly known as Renault Trucks Defense designs, Arquus produces and markets a complete range of tactical, logistics, armoured wheeled vehicles and drivelines capable to meet different needs of military forces.

In addition to the aforementioned vehicles, Arquus also manufactures the Sherpa family of 4×4 tactical and light armoured vehicles. In Australia Corrections Victoria’s Security and Emergency Services Group (SESG) uses two Mack badged vehicles manufactured by Volvo for high risk prisoner transport that can accommodate up to four prisoners.

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Kym Bergmann
Kym Bergmann has more than 35 years of experience in journalism and Australian and international defence industry. After graduating with Honors from the Australian National University, he joined Capital 7 television, holding several positions including foreign news editor and chief political correspondent. After 2 years on the staff of a Federal Minister, he moved to the defence sector and held senior positions in several companies, including Blohm+Voss, Thales, Celsius and Saab. In 1997 he was one of 2 Australians selected for the Thomson CSF 'Preparation for Senior Management' MBA course, the other being Chris Jenkins - formerly the CEO of Thales Australia. He has also worked as a consultant for a number of companies, including Raytheon, Tenix (now part of BAES) and Martin Marrietta (now part of Lockheed Martin). He had several board appointments, including Thomson Sintra Pacific (1994 - 96) and Saab Pacific (1998 - 2003). He retains good personal links with senior figures in Government, as well as in industry and the media. He decided to return to journalism in May 2008, and holds the position of editor for Asia Pacific Defence Reporter (APDR) and Defence Review Asia (DRA). He is also a podcaster and commentator on defence and national security issues.

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