French army upgrades air defense with Scania Vampire system
The modernization of the French Army’s air defense capabilities is reaching a new level in 2024, with the introduction of the SCANIA VAMPIRE system.
The SCANIA VAMPIRE, developed under the coordination of SIMMT (Structure Intégrée du Maintien en condition opérationnelle des Matériels Terrestres), in collaboration with the Direction générale de l’armement (DGA) and the Army’s Technical Section (STAT), represents a major enhancement in the military’s ability to deploy the Mistral missile system for anti-aircraft operations.
The SCANIA VAMPIRE is a state-of-the-art vehicle, specifically designed to carry the PAMELA (Plateforme d’Adaptation Mistral Équipée, Légère, Aérotransportable) system, which facilitates the firing of Mistral missiles. This new system aims to enhance the mobility and responsiveness of the French Army’s air defense units, offering increased protection against aerial threats.
The project was officially initiated in December 2023, when the system was ordered through the UGAP (Union des Groupements d’Achats Publics) catalogue. Less than a year later, in November 2024, the SCANIA VAMPIRE successfully completed its first Mistral missile test, highlighting the efficient and rapid progress of the program. The vehicle has since been delivered to the French Army, meeting operational needs ahead of schedule.
A key element of the project’s success has been the collaboration between the various stakeholders, including the DGA, STAT, SIMMT, and industrial partners. Their coordinated efforts ensured not only the on-time delivery but also the high quality and operational readiness of the new system. The rapid timeline, from ordering to successful testing and deployment, underlines the capability of these public-private partnerships to meet defense requirements effectively.
“For SIMMT, modernization is not just about technology; it’s about strategy and collaboration,” SIMMT noted.
The SCANIA VAMPIRE, with its ability to carry and deploy the Mistral missile system, is expected to provide a considerable boost to the French Army’s air defense operations, ensuring a more flexible and dynamic response to low-altitude aerial threats.
