In 2024, France advanced its commitment to military assistance for Ukraine through the delivery of 61 Bastion 4×4 armored vehicles. Arquus, a company specialized in land defense solutions, signed the supply contract within the framework of cooperation agreements between Paris and Kyiv.
The vehicles were delivered in different stages. According to official information, eleven initial units were allocated for troop transport, while another fifty completed the planned shipment. The Bastion is a light armored personnel carrier designed for operations across various terrains, with a capacity for ten occupants and a protection level tailored for patrol and logistical support missions.
Looking deeper into the Bastion, it is a 12-ton modular armored vehicle developed on the basis of the VLRA 4×4 chassis. It has a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 12.5 tons and accommodates a crew of two plus eight soldiers. Its design combines tactical performance, robustness, and ease of maintenance. The Bastion can be airlifted by C-130 aircraft and offers protection in compliance with the STANAG 459 standard.
In addition to this delivery, Arquus also received orders to supply 76 CAESAR Mk1 artillery system carriers, intended for several European armed forces, including Ukraine.
Arquus and French government support
Arquus is France’s main supplier of military vehicles and, since July 2024, has been part of the Belgian group John Cockerill Defense. Ukraine’s acquisition of these vehicles was finalized with the support of the French and Belgian governments, which have become direct shareholders in the company, each acquiring 10% of its capital.
The integration allowed the merging of commercial networks, product lines, and complementary industrial capabilities, with the aim of offering more competitive vehicles tailored to the needs of armed forces.
The Bastion, along with other Arquus models and Cockerill weapon systems, has been consolidated as part of a combined offering of light armored vehicles and turrets aimed at France, Belgium, and their partner countries.
Images sourced from Arquus Defense.
