France’s military modernization drive has taken a significant step forward with the unveiling of the Griffon MEPAC—a mobile, self-propelled mortar variant of the Griffon 6×6 armored vehicle platform. This development follows the completion of its final qualification tests at the Canjuers military camp just four months earlier.
The Griffon MEPAC (Mortier Embarqué Pour l’Appui au Contact) was prominently featured during the 2025 Bastille Day parade in Paris, where it was publicly presented for the first time. Equipped with a 120mm semi-automatic mortar system integrated directly into the vehicle’s hull, the MEPAC replaces France’s older towed MO-120-RT mortar systems. The new configuration significantly boosts mobility, deployment speed, and survivability on the battlefield.
The system is part of the French Army’s wider Scorpion program, a digital combat architecture that links multiple platforms through unified command and control systems. The MEPAC’s mortar is capable of firing at a rate of 10 rounds per minute, reaching targets up to 13 kilometers away using either conventional or precision-guided munitions. The vehicle also incorporates onboard shell storage to improve sustainability in extended operations.
Built for durability and versatility, the 25-ton armored vehicle is crewed by four personnel and features a remotely operated 7.62mm machine gun for added defense. Additionally, the Griffon MEPAC leverages the Atlas automated artillery system, enabling synchronized joint fire support in combined arms missions.
Technical specifications include a 400-horsepower six-cylinder turbodiesel engine paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission, granting the vehicle a top speed of 90 km/h and a maximum operational range of 800 kilometers. Its NATO-standard armor ensures protection against various battlefield threats.
As part of France’s ongoing $1.35-billion program to modernize its land forces, the nation had already received 500 Griffon vehicles by 2023. In January 2025, the military officially inducted its first batch of 54 Griffon MEPAC variants.
