picture 191346

The ‘Armoured vanguard vehicle’ (Véhicule de l’avant blindé, VAB) was an NBC-proof, amphibious armoured personnel carrier and support vehicle designed by GIAT of France. Renault manufactured over 4,000 units, which first entered service in 1976. During the 1980s, a sizeable detachment of VABs – usually painted in olive green overall, and wearing the tricolour, as shown here – was held in storage in Bangui for use by whatever units were deployed for operations in Africa, and the type thus saw action with the 2e RPIMa in the CAR, and subsequently in Chad and Cote d’Ivoire. (Artwork by David Bocquelet)