The Portuguese Army is set to upgrade its VBL reconnaissance vehicles as part of a wider effort to modernize its fleet, this was stated at Land Defense Industry Day by Colonel António Oliveira, Head of the Planning Division of the Army Chief of Staff.
The modernization the vehicles joins other major programs in the Army such as the upgrade of the Pandur and Leopard fleet and replacement of the M113.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Fernando Lopes in an article to Revista Cavalaria and per soldiers from 3rd Cavalry Regiment present at the event the VBL will suffer major changes in terms of its capabilities and weapon systems.
Efforts will range from an upgrade to its engine, the new engine will give it 130 horsepower, and suspension system. The current weaponry will be replaced for a Remote Weapon Station and the vehicles will also receive add-on armour. As for its amphibious capability, it will be lost, due to the increased weight and removal of the propeller.
The VBL entered service with the Portuguese Army in 1989 with 38 vehicles having been received in total, currently they are in service with the 3rd Cavalry Regiment, in the Reconnaissance Squadron of the ISTAR Group, Rapid Reaction Brigade.
They are equipped in 5 different ways, with an M1919 machine gun, with an M1919 machine gun and a Milan ATGM, with an M2HB heavy machine gun and lastly with an M1919 machine gun and an AN/PPS5-B radar.
Three details remain unknown about the upgrade at the moment, if it will cover the whole fleet, the timeline of the upgrade and budget.
Overall the upgrade to the Portuguese VBL could resemble the VBL Mk3 presented by Arquus at IDEX 2023.
Sources:
Fernando Lopes, “Agrupamento ISTAR- Que Futuro?” Revista Cavalaria, Nº39 (2024), 26