Arquus, a French defense manufacturer, is preparing to deliver 50 Bastion armored personnel carriers to Ukraine, completing a 61-vehicle order aimed at strengthening Kyiv’s battlefield resilience. The vehicles are designed to improve troop survivability and tactical maneuverability.
The delivery follows France’s earlier provision of 11 Bastion APCs and retired VAB vehicles, which are now deployed by Ukrainian units. The confirmation was included in a recent John Cockerill Group report, though details on pricing and delivery timelines remain undisclosed.
The Bastion is a highly adaptable 4×4 platform built on the VLRA chassis, suited for harsh environments. It accommodates a two-person crew and up to eight soldiers, and can be configured for various missions such as ambulance, command, or reconnaissance roles.
Weighing 12.5 tons, the armored carrier provides STANAG 4569-certified protection against ballistic threats and mine blasts. It has a maximum speed of 110 kilometers per hour, an operational range of 1,000 kilometers, and can be airlifted by C-130 aircraft. Its armament options include ring-mounted or remotely operated 7.62mm and 12.7mm machine guns.
