Eurosatory, the largest exhibition in the world devoted to defense, opens its doors from June 13 to 17 at the Villepinte exhibition center. Among the exhibitors: Arquus, manufacturer of armored vehicles and a major French player in the field of land defence. Arquus, formerly Panhard, Berliet and Renault Trucks, is today a subsidiary of the Volvo group. The company employs 1,500 people in France for a turnover of 600 million euros. Franck Alexandre met its president, Emmanuel Levacher. Maintenance.
RFI: After four years of absence, due to Covid, Eurosatory is returning to the Villepinte exhibition center. What innovations will you present?
Emmanuel Levache: It’s a major meeting, the first in the world even for the land defense industry. So, for Arquus, it’s a great showcase. We will present more than five platforms equipped with different systems, but especially digital services and supports.
During the offensive on kyiv, the Russian armored columns were decimated by portable anti-tank missiles. What lessons do you draw from the war in Ukraine, you who manufacture tanks?
Of all the conflicts, we make feedback. It is perhaps a little early to draw all the lessons from this one, but the question arises of the doctrines of employment, the tactics for the use of these materials. The question also arises of their protection, their mobility, their stealth, their ability to counter drone attacks and missile attacks. So it’s always the eternal struggle between the sword and the shield. We make shields instead. So it’s up to us to find the right compromises.
With your Thals and Nexter partners, you are at the heart of the Scorpion program which will structure the Army for the decades to come. The new mid-vehicles are you, Griffons, Jaguars… Are they going to change melee combat?
I think that the very concept of Scorpion, that is to say collaborative combat and valued information, is extremely innovative, to ensure that all the platforms communicate with each other in real time and can complement each other, defend each other each other, communicate… So it is above all the connectivity, the electronic capabilities of these systems that make them a cutting-edge tool.
New connected vehicles equipped with remotely operated turrets, it’s a “ game changer » ?
We are not the only ones to make them but, indeed, within the framework of Scorpion, we are developing these cupolas, which are operated from inside the vehicle and which avoid exposing the shooters. They also make it possible to observe and fire at extremely long ranges, including with small arms.
How can Arquus’ industrial tool adapt to a high-intensity conflict?
It’s a big question, it’s even the big debate of the moment. I think our industrial tool can adapt, we can produce more. But there are two major conditions: first, the supply chain must follow. You know there is a lot of tension in the markets right now. Therefore, all suppliers must be mobilized to also increase component production capacities. The second condition is a little trivial, but obviously, it is that the budgets follow.
Should we also prioritize stock?
This is indeed one of the solutions for securing supply lines. This is not necessarily the economic optimum for a business leader, but it can be a way of securing the ” supply chain “.
You are part of the Camo contract with Belgium. What other markets are you targeting in Europe?
Camo, indeed, is first and foremost a good example of good cooperation between France and Belgium around the concept of Scorpion. In the European framework, there are two ways: the first, financed by the European Union through the European Defense Fund in which we participate, but these are more research and development programs. Then, we will also meet a certain number of countries, in particular countries of central and eastern Europe and Scandinavian countries which are concerned about the current situation and which are seeking to equip themselves quickly in the land domain.
Aren’t there too many manufacturers manufacturing armored vehicles in Europe?
It is an industry that remains quite fragmented, with many players. This is the result of a lack of concentration of defense programs between European countries. There are often debates about possible concentrations, but in reality, not much is happening. On the other hand, we are developing a lot of ad hoc cooperation with French and European players on specific programs.
In Europe, there is precisely this structuring program, it is the Franco-German project for the tank of the future. Do you plead to join this project?
We are not directly involved in this project, but indirectly we are proposing a certain number of ideas, innovations, in particular on the motorization of platforms since, in defense too, we are working on new energies. We are specialists in the electrification of drivelines.
What will the armor of the future look like: electric? Autonomous ?
In the short term, vehicles will be connected. And in the future they will be electrified. Not necessarily totally electric, because we still need resilience. So you also need emergency modes, but the armored vehicle of the future will be highly digitized with probably high levels of autonomy. Not necessarily “fully autonomous” but with sufficient autonomy so that operators can concentrate on their mission.
Arquus is a mid-size player, small but happy?
” Small is beautiful! “We try to take advantage of our human size, since we are like a large ETI, a medium-sized company and proud of it. Small, but on the other hand we rely on a large group (Volvo). So we try to combine the advantages of both dimensions, with four production sites in France: Limoges, Saint-Nazaire, Nevers and in Essonne near Paris.