PARIS, Nov. 28 (UPI) -- The first of 53 Swedish-made infantry support vehicles for France has been delivered by BAE Systems Hagglunds AB.
The French military procurement agency DGA reported that the delivery of the vehicle by BAE Systems Hagglunds took place this month.
The VHM -- a French acronym --is a 14-ton, all-terrain tracked armored vehicle with two articulated assembles. It comes in three variants: command post, logistic transport and troop carrier. Weaponry that can be fitted include 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine guns.
The vehicle is part of Hagglunds Bv family of military vehicles. Panhard, the French military vehicle manufacturer, is integrating equipment and systems required by France, such as communications and weapons systems.
France ordered the VHMs in 2009.
The VHM has been tested in various terrains -- including snow and sand, the agency said in a news release.
The 53 VHMs are the first installment of a 129 vehicle contract worth nearly $294 million. Deliveries are expected to continue until late 2014.
