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France to Deliver 50 More Bastion Armored Vehicles to Ukraine, Expanding Fleet to 61
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
Ukraine is set to receive another 50 French-made Bastion armored vehicles, according to the 2024 annual report of Belgian defense company John Cockerill Defense.
The delivery will bring the total number of Bastions in Ukraine’s armed forces to 61.
The first vehicles, built by French manufacturer Arquus Defense on the VLRA chassis, were handed over in early August after completing a full cycle of trials.
The John Cockerill Defense report confirmed the contract includes 61 vehicles in total, of which 11 have already been delivered.
“Arquus has also signed a contract to supply 61 Bastion vehicles for Ukraine… Arquus delivered eleven Bastion troop transport vehicles. Another fifty are expected,” the company said.
The ACMAT Bastion is a 4×4 armored personnel carrier designed for troop transport, reconnaissance, and command missions in high-risk areas. Built on the VLRA platform (Véhicule de Liaison de Reconnaissance et d’Appui), the Bastion is known for its ruggedness, simplicity of maintenance, and high mobility in diverse terrains.
Originally developed by ACMAT—now a subsidiary of Arquus—the Bastion combines a monocoque armored hull with a modular layout capable of transporting up to ten personnel. It offers protection against small arms fire, artillery splinters, and landmine blasts, with STANAG Level 1 or Level 2 ballistic protection depending on configuration.
The vehicle is powered by a 215-horsepower diesel engine and can reach a top speed of approximately 110 km/h. Its operational range exceeds 1,000 kilometers, allowing for extended missions without refueling. The Bastion’s robust suspension and high ground clearance make it suitable for both urban warfare and off-road operations.
The modular design also allows for various mission-specific configurations, including ambulance, communications, and weapons platforms. It is used by several countries across Africa and the Middle East, particularly in United Nations peacekeeping missions and counter-insurgency operations.
Plans to transfer 11 Bastion armored vehicles to Ukraine were first announced in April 2023 but were later put on hold. Arquus cited the absence of an intergovernmental agreement between Paris and Kyiv as the reason for the delay.
That freeze was lifted in May 2024, when Arquus CEO Emmanuel Levacher confirmed the company was producing the first batch of 11 Bastions. Those vehicles were scheduled for delivery in July 2024.
Company officials have also said that if requested by Ukraine, Arquus could manufacture up to 100 additional Bastions.
Earlier, Spanish defense company Urovesa planned to double production of its VAMTAC armored vehicles, including the MRAP variants currently supplied to the Armed Forces of Ukraine under the name “Zubr.”
Urovesa will invest €50 million to expand its global manufacturing capacity, aiming to increase output from 2,500 to 5,000 vehicles annually.
