France. 20 February 2021. Major supplier of the French Army and partner to several governmental forces in the Middle East and North Africa, Arquus (formerly known as Renault Trucks Defense) will be present at the IDEX 2021 trade show.
Arquus is a European leader of land protected mobility, designer and manufacturer of world-renowned vehicles such as the VAB, the VBL, the Bastion and the Sherpa, many of which are already proudly serving in the Gulf region. Arquus offers comprehensive solutions for armies and security forces, ranging from 4×4 light vehicles to 6×6 and 8×8 armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles. Arquus can also provide with a wide array of tailored drivelines and bases to create fully new, high-quality vehicles, designed with industrial partners to fit specific needs. At IDEX 2021, Arquus will display all of its expertise, including its most advanced products and technologies, among which the Scarabee and the Hornet RCWS range.
The Scarabee will be presented in Abu Dhabi for its very first show abroad. Arquus’ jewel, the Scarabee is the first military hybrid-drive armored reconnaissance car ever. Compact, highly mobile and stealthy, the Scarabee can tackle any environment, from desert combat to confined or urban environment. Versatile and modular, it can serve as a reconnaissance car, a light cavalry vehicle fitted with a powerful auto cannon, a missile-carrying tank killer or a mobile command post. It can serve in air assault units or quick reaction forces, accompany infantry units or pair up with Main Battle Tanks. Thanks to its electrical machine and its high capacity batteries, the Scarabee can move and accommodate and action several sensors and energy-consuming systems while being perfectly silent. As the new definition for reconnaissance vehicles, it is perfectly suitable for modern armies seeking to equip themselves with light, versatile, highly mobile and powerful vehicles.
As the perfect complement to the Scarabee, Arquus will be presenting its very own Hornet remote-controlled weapon stations range, offered by the new Hornet Business Unit which is to be launched at IDEX. Comprised of two different RCWS, the Hornet range can accommodate several calibers and weapon systems, from 7.62mm guns to 40mm grenade launchers, on top of sensors and self-protection systems. Modular and connected, the Hornet RCWS offer unique performance on the market with full digital optronic units, day and night vision, laser rangefinder, full HD video, independent ring smoke grenade-launcher, collaborative combat capability, among other features. The Hornet range has been selected and qualified by the French Army to equip the new combat vehicles of the Scorpion program.
Arquus will also be offering the Fortress Mk2, one of the most advanced APC vehicles currently on the market. Extremely mobile with its independent suspensions and high-power engine, the Fortress Mk2 redefines the standards of military mobility. Built on Arquus’ long running experience in designing and supporting all-terrain military vehicles, the Fortress Mk2 successfully combines excellent weight/power ratio with exceptional off-road capabilities.
It benefits from the latest technologies and the most advanced processes making this product particularly efficient and homogeneous. Its new armoured hull provides the Fortress Mk2 and its 11 passengers with very high levels of ballistic, mine and IED protection, without gaining any weight. With its excellent mobility, the Fortress Mk2 is an APC of choice which can be equipped with the latest vetronics suites such as Arquus’ Battlenet solution, as well as RCWS such as the Hornet for extra firepower and operational versatility in the field.
Last, but not least, Arquus will be discussing its VAB Mk3 IFV, already presented at IDEX 2019 with its Advanced Survivability System, designed to protect even further the vehicle against all the threats it could face on the battlefield, including tandem warheads. Building on the years of experience of the French Army’s 4×4 VABs, Arquus has designed a fully new 6×6 vehicle built for troop and systems transport. Highly mobile, the VAB Mk3 offers performance similar to an 8×8 with reduced costs of ownership. The VAB Mk3 is already in service in various armies in the region.
ARQUUS constantly develops its network of partners worldwide. All these partner companies bring added value, constantly enriching the quality of ARQUUS’ products. This strategy enables ARQUUS to combine the expertise of companies from all fields and all the regions of the world, and thus to offer increasingly innovative solutions. The search for new international partners also allows for market share development abroad. ARQUUS provides its partners with a reliable ally offering advanced technology, mastery of complex industrial processes, and high quality, all combined for combat-proven and tested vehicles. Depending on markets and cooperation agreements, ARQUUS can provide with tailored services, ranging from technology transfer to the joint development of new and complete products.
Arquus (previously Renault Trucks Defense) is a major actor for the French industry, from vehicle design to support, with a fleet of nearly 25,000 vehicles within the French Army, 20,000 of which are directly supported by the company. Arquus is one of the three members of the short-term consortium in charge of the development and manufacturing of the new combat vehicles of the French Army, the Griffon and the Jaguar. Arquus is also in charge of the development and production of the Hornet family RCWS which equip the Army. Expert of land mobility solutions, Arquus can offer 4×4, 6×6 and 8×8 vehicles for all missions, as well as a complete range of drivelines. Thanks to its R&D centers and support from the Volvo Group, the company has developed numerous innovations on own equity. These innovations include the fields of energy, architecture and automation. To optimize the uptime of its vehicles, Arquus is able to offer innovative tools like HUMS, virtual reality training or additive manufacturing. Arquus offers a range of innovative associated services, including the supply of spare parts, a range of maintenance services, specific financing solutions and training.
