VBC 90 (Lynx)

ChieftainWarrior · February 25, 2026, 11:07pm

Would you like to see this in-game?

Yes
No

0 voters

VBC 90 (Lynx)

TL;DR: Prototype VBC 90 armed with a 90mm Cockerill cannon in a Lynx 90 turret

History
In the late 1960s, France sought a wheeled, amphibious APC to complement the tracked AMX-10, and issued its official requirements in 1970. Both Panhard and Saviem began development of prototypes in 1972–1973. In 1974, Saviem’s 4x4 VAB (Véhicule de l’Avant Blindé) APC was chosen for production, and 4,000 vehicles were ordered at first. The VAB is a (primarily) 4x4 APC, which has spawned a large number of variants and derivatives. Over 5000 were produced in total, and they remain in service to this day with the French Army and over two dozen other countries.

In 1977, at Satory VI, Saviem unveiled their newest design, the VCS (Véhicules Canons Saviem). This was a new family of 4x4 and 6x6 vehicles, designed as combat vehicles, and based heavily on the VAB. Their 6x6 design was fitted with an early version of the TS 90 turret. It was primarily designed for export, but didn’t see any sales. In 1978, Saviem was officially merged into Renault, and in 1979, at Satory VII, Renault unveiled the first VBC 90 (Véhicule Blindé de Combat) prototype.

VCS (TS 90) on display at Satory VI in 1977

The VBC 90 was fitted with the TS 90 turret but featured an improved hull front, much closer to the 6x6 VAB design. France quickly took interest in the vehicle, and the Mobile Gendarmerie ordered 28 VBC 90s. The first production VBC 90 was produced in 1981, and first deliveries began in 1983. The variant delivered to the Gendarmerie is sometimes referred to as the VBC 90 G. In 1984–1985, six VBC 90s were delivered to Oman. Both variants used the SOPTAC 11 FCS, fitted with a laser rangefinder, although a number of alternatives were marketed.

There were additional prototypes tested that fitted different turrets. This included the well-known stabilised TTB190 variant, but also included one fitted with a MECAR KEWS 90mm turret, and a more intriguing variant with a Lynx 90 turret, but housing a 90mm Cockerill Mk. III cannon instead of the standard 90mm DEFA F1. Unfortunately, none of these variants progressed past the testing phase.

VBC Lynx

VBC 90 with the Lynx 90 turret

Not much information is known about the latter two prototypes. The Lynx 90, sometimes referred to as D 90, is an upgraded variant of the H 90 on the AML-90, designed in the early 1980s. Its main improvements include options for a laser rangefinder, night vision sights, and hydraulic traverse. The Lynx 90 was primarily armed with the DEFA F1, although was at times marketed with the Cockerill Mk. III (some sources refer to this turret as the Lynx 90/75). This rarely-seen variant was fitted to a VBC 90 for tests sometime in the late 1980s. Little information is known about why these tests were carried out, especially as the 90mm CN 90 F4 gun in the standard TS 90 turret was far superior. This turret was also tested on an ERC 90, and even a Spanish VEC — again, with very little information. My best guess is the first two were testbeds for the new turret and gun combination (the VEC was testing different turrets for the production version).

Spanish VEC (left) and French ERC (right), both with Lynx 90 turret and Cockerill Mk. III gun

Whatever the case, this turret and gun combination did not see service. The VBC 90 Gs saw service with the Gendarmerie up until the early 2000s, when they were put into storage, and officially retired by 2010. In 2014, Lebanon was looking to obtain France’s VBC 90 Gs, along with another $3 billion USD worth of defence equipment, but the deal fell through after relations between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia (who were providing the grant) soured. Oman’s VBC 90s had all been retired by 2016.

VBC 90 G in service with the French Gendarmerie

Characteristics
The VBC 90 (Lynx) was fitted with the Lynx 90 (D 90) turret, armed with the Cockerill Mk. III 90mm cannon. The Cockerill Mk. III is capable of firing primarily HEAT-FS rounds: M620A1 HEAT-FS penetrates 250mm @ 0°, NR 478 HEAT-FS penetrates 300mm @ 0°, and NR 220 HEAT-FS penetrates 330mm @ 0°. It can also fire M625A1 HESH, penetrating 102mm @ 0°. 21 rounds of 90mm ammunition can be carried inside the turret (the hull can likely carry >20 additional rounds). The turret is also fitted with a coaxial 7.62mm, as well as a roof-mounted 7.62mm. 2000 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition are carried.

The turret could traverse 360° at either 12°/s or 45°/s, depending on whether it was fitted with a manual or hydraulic traverse system, and the gun could elevate +30°/-8°. The commander had 8 L794 periscopes, and the gunner had 4 L794 periscopes, as well as the TJN 2-90B day/night telescopic sight. An external laser rangefinder was mounted on the gun mantlet. Three smoke grenade launchers were fitted on either side of the turret (6 total).

VBC Lynx

Close-up of the Lynx 90 turret on the VBC 90

The VBC 90 was thinly armoured. The hull is all-welded steel, capable of resisting only small arms fire. The driver has three bulletproof windows on the front hull. It is likely to have similar armour thickness to the VAB and its derivatives, at around 8mm all around. The Lynx 90 turret is equally thinly armoured, with 12mm of armour at the front, and 10mm at the sides and rear.

The VBC 90 was fitted with either a Renault MIDS 06.20.45 diesel engine or MAN D.2356 HM 72 diesel engine, both producing 220hp at 2200rpm. This was connected to a Renault Transfluid 376 transmission, with 5 forward gears and 1 reverse gear. The vehicle had a combat weight of 13.5t with the TS 90 turret — the TS 90 has a combat weight of 2.65t, and the Lynx 90 1.95–2.2t. As such, the VBC 90 with the Lynx 90 turret likely weighed around 13.1t. This would give it a power-to-weight ratio of 16.8hp/t, enabling it to reach a top speed of 92km/h.

Conclusion
The VBC 90 is a relatively well-known French wheeled light tank, and one that is unfortunately still absent from the game. This prototype version with the Lynx 90 turret would be an excellent addition, presumably as a premium or event vehicle. It would likely go at a BR of around 7.7, with great mobility and a laser rangefinder, but limited to only HEAT-FS rounds.

Specifications
Armament

90mm Cockerill Mk. III
- Ammunition
  - >21 rounds
  - M620A1 HEAT-FS
    - 250mm at 0° at 10m
  - NR 478 HEAT-FS
    - 300mm at 0°
  - NR 220 HEAT-FS
    - 330mm at 0°
  - M625A1 HESH
    - 107mm at 0°
  - M618A1 Smoke
1x coaxial 7.62mm + 1x roof-mounted 7.62mm
- 2000 rounds (possible additional 2000 in hull)
Laser rangefinder
NVDs (Gunner)