IRIA News

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KNDS France has received orders to manufacture 269 armored vehicles for Belgium and Luxembourg under the expanding Capacite Motorisee (CaMo) program, marking a significant new phase in European ground-force integration and industrial cooperation.

The orders were placed through France’s defense procurement authority on behalf of partner nations and reinforce a long-running Franco-Belgian initiative designed to align doctrine, platforms, and logistics across allied land forces.

The program is increasingly viewed as a practical model for European defense cooperation, blending shared capability development with NATO interoperability and strong domestic industrial returns.

The CaMo program is a joint French-Belgian effort aimed at achieving a high degree of commonality between land forces, from vehicles and communications systems to training and sustainment. It is closely linked to France’s SCORPION modernization program, which is transforming the French Army’s ground combat capabilities through networked, digitally enabled platforms.

By aligning with SCORPION, Belgium gains direct access to the same family of armored vehicles, operational concepts, and support structures used by French forces. This alignment is intended to enable seamless cooperation in multinational deployments, particularly under NATO command structures.

The latest vehicle orders further embed Belgium into this framework while opening the door for Luxembourg to join the community of SCORPION users.

Belgium orders Griffon and Serval Vehicles

Under the new contract, Belgium will receive 92 Griffon armored personnel carriers and 123 Serval lightweight multirole vehicles, marking the first Serval acquisition for the Belgian Land Forces.

The order was placed on December 30, 2025, by the French General Directorate for Armament on behalf of the Belgian Ministry of Defense. With this purchase, Belgium will have access to the full range of SCORPION vehicles, significantly expanding its operational flexibility.

The Griffon is designed as a multi-mission armored vehicle optimized for troop transport, command and control, and fire support, while the Serval provides a lighter, more mobile platform suited for reconnaissance, rapid deployment, and expeditionary missions.

KNDS stated that the acquisition will directly support Belgium’s capability commitments to NATO and enhance its ability to conduct unified operations with allied forces.

Luxembourg Joins SCORPION Through CaMo

Luxembourg is also entering the SCORPION ecosystem through the CaMo framework, with its acquisition facilitated via Belgium and supported under the NATO Defense Planning Process.

Luxembourg’s order includes 38 Jaguar reconnaissance vehicles and 16 Griffon armored vehicles, which will equip the newly established Guide-Chasseurs Battalion. This joint Belgian-Luxembourg medium combat reconnaissance unit is scheduled to become fully operational by 2030.

The Jaguar is a next-generation reconnaissance and combat vehicle designed for high-intensity environments, combining advanced sensors, mobility, and firepower. Its inclusion reflects Luxembourg’s intent to field credible, interoperable combat capabilities despite the country’s small force size.

By adopting SCORPION vehicles, Luxembourg joins a growing group of European users operating common platforms, enhancing multinational readiness in an increasingly volatile security environment.

Manufacturing Shared Across France and Belgium

Industrial cooperation is a central pillar of the CaMo program, and the latest orders significantly expand Belgium’s role in vehicle production and assembly.

The Griffon and Jaguar vehicles are being developed by temporary industrial groupings composed of KNDS France, Arquus, and Thales, while the Serval is produced through a partnership between KNDS France and Texelis.

Most of the vehicles will be assembled at Belgian automotive company MOL CY’s facility in Staden, where they will also be fitted with remote weapon stations supplied by FN Herstal. The Serval vehicles will follow an expanded industrial model, with a larger share of assembly work transferred to Belgium compared to earlier Griffon variants.

In addition to the vehicles themselves, the CaMo packages include spare parts and maintenance support to ensure high operational availability as the fleets enter service.

KNDS noted that the program continues to generate substantial industrial and societal returns for Belgium, strengthening domestic expertise while anchoring long-term sustainment capabilities inside the country.

Interoperability for European Defense

The expansion of CaMo reflects a broader European push toward standardization and interoperability, particularly among NATO allies facing heightened security challenges on the continent’s eastern flank.

By operating the same vehicle families, Belgium, Luxembourg, and France can streamline logistics, training, and maintenance while reducing the complexity of multinational operations. This approach also allows smaller states to field advanced capabilities without bearing the full cost of independent development programs.

The addition of Luxembourg to the SCORPION user community further amplifies these benefits, extending common standards across national borders and reinforcing collective defense planning.