VCS (TS 90)

ChieftainWarrior · February 25, 2026, 11:02pm

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VCS (TS 90)

TL;DR: French prototype 6x6 armoured car and predecessor to the VBC 90, armed with a 90mm cannon in an early version of the TS 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 1976, Saviem revealed their newest design to the press, the VCS. It was then displayed at Satory VI in 1977. The VCS was a new family of 4x4 and 6x6 vehicles, designed as combat vehicles, based heavily on the VAB. Their 6x6 design was fitted with an early version of the TS 90 turret. Alongside this, they also advertised a 6x6 variant with a TA 20 dual 20mm anti-aircraft turret, and a 4x4 variant with a TG-120 20mm turret. Neither of these appear to have been built, however. The hull was modified minimally from the VAB: the engine was moved to the rear, the two-seat configuration at the front was changed to one seat, and the front door was enlarged.

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

The VCS was fitted with an early version of the TS 90 turret. It was armed with an earlier version of the CN 90 F4, sometimes referred to as the T90-22 (the turret is also sometimes called T90-22).The gun was only advertised as being able to fire HEAT-FS and HE rounds, not the 90mm APFSDS rounds in development at the time. It was also likely only fitted with the basic sight / FCS system, but was advertised as compatible with a laser rangefinder.

The VCS only appears to have been marketed in 1977–78, and it is unknown what happened to the prototype vehicle, likely disassembled. In 1979, at Satory VII, Renault unveiled the first VBC 90 (Véhicule Blindé de Combat) prototype. The VBC-90 was fitted with the TS 90 turret, as on the VCS, 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.

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 VCS (TS 90) was fitted with an early model TS 90 turret, armed with a high-velocity 90mm cannon, advertised as the T90.22, an early variant of the CN 90 F4. The cannon was able to fire only HEAT-FS and HE rounds: OCC 90 F2 HEAT-FS penetrates 350mm @ 0° @ 10m. The VCS (TS 90) carried 20 rounds of ammunition in two ready racks (4 in the turret basket, 16 in the turret bustle), and 20 rounds in the hull. It also carried a coaxial 7.62mm with 4000 rounds of ammunition, 2000 of which were stored in the turret.

The turret could traverse 360°, likely at around 20°/s, and the gun could elevate +15°/-8°, likely at 15°/s. The gunner was equipped with a GIAT M563 sight, with a fixed magnification of x5.9. Unlike the VBC 90s, it appears the VCS (TS 90) was not fitted with a laser rangefinder, although it was advertised as an option. Two smoke grenade launchers were fitted on either side of the turret (4 total).

The VCS (TS 90) was thinly armoured. The hull was 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 hull was longer and taller than the VBC 90, however. The TS 90 turret is equally thinly armoured, with 12mm of armour at the front, and 10mm at the sides, rear, and on the roof.

The VCS (TS 90) was fitted with a diesel engine producing 235hp. Given the increased hull size compared to the VBC 90, its weight was higher at 13.6t. This weight was given alongside a value of 12.8t for the VBC 90, indicating the empty weight. The combat weight of the VBC 90 is 13.5t, and as such we can assume the combat weight of the VCS (TS 90) to be around 14.3t. This would give it a power-to-weight ratio of 16.4hp/t. It could reach a top speed of 90km/h. It had a crew of 3: commander, gunner, and driver.

Conclusion
The VCS (TS 90) would be an excellent event vehicle as a counterpart to a (hopefully) tech-tree VBC 90. It would be worse, with the lack of both APFSDS rounds and a laser rangefinder, likely pushing it down to a BR of around 7.0–7.3.

Specifications
Armament