French Army Expands Mobility with Pegase Light Tactical Vehicle Deliveries

The French Army has begun fielding its new Pegase light tactical vehicles (LTVs), marking a key step in modernizing its reconnaissance and rapid reaction forces. Developed by Arquus under a 2023 contract with France’s Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA), the Pegase is designed for high mobility, modularity, and adaptability across a range of missions including scouting, command-and-control (C2), and special operations support.

Pegase Program Origins and Procurement Timeline

The Pegase program emerged as part of France’s broader SCORPION modernization effort aimed at overhauling its land combat capabilities. In March 2023, the DGA awarded Arquus a contract to deliver an initial batch of 300 Pegase vehicles by 2026. The total requirement could eventually reach up to 1,000 units depending on operational feedback and funding allocations.

Initial deliveries began in early September 2025 following successful qualification trials conducted throughout late 2024 and early 2025. These trials assessed the vehicle’s off-road performance, survivability under small arms fire (STANAG Level I), integration with digital battle management systems such as SICS (Système d’Information du Combat Scorpion), and air transportability via A400M or CH-47 platforms.

Design Features and Technical Specifications

The Pegase is a lightweight 4×4 platform optimized for agility across diverse terrain types. It has a curb weight of approximately 3.5 tonnes with a maximum gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) near 5 tonnes depending on configuration. Powered by a turbocharged diesel engine delivering around 200 horsepower coupled with an automatic transmission system, it offers a top speed exceeding 110 km/h on roads and excellent cross-country mobility.

Key features include:

Modular architecture: Configurable for roles such as reconnaissance patrols, forward observation posts (OPs), electronic warfare (EW) payloads, or UAV launch/recovery teams.
Open or semi-enclosed cabin: Depending on mission profile; allows for mounting of ring-mounted weapon stations or remote weapon stations (RWS).
Crew capacity: Typically accommodates four personnel with gear; variants may differ based on mission kits.
C2 integration: Fully compatible with SCORPION C4ISR systems including SICS terminals and Thales CONTACT radios.
Airmobility: Certified for internal carriage aboard A400M Atlas transport aircraft; sling-load capable under NH90 or CH-47 helicopters.

Tactical Role within the French Army Force Structure

The Pegase is intended to replace aging Véhicule Blindé Léger (VBL) units in certain roles while complementing heavier armored platforms like the Griffon VBMR or Jaguar EBRC. Its primary users will include reconnaissance platoons within infantry regiments, special operations forces (SOF), forward observers attached to artillery units, and light cavalry elements requiring high-speed maneuverability in complex terrain such as urban zones or mountainous regions.

The vehicle’s low signature—both visual and thermal—combined with its speed makes it ideal for hit-and-run tactics or stealthy surveillance missions. Its ability to integrate ISR payloads such as optronic masts or tethered drones further enhances situational awareness at the tactical edge.

Comparison with Other European Light Tactical Vehicles

The Pegase enters a competitive European LTV market alongside platforms like Germany’s Enok NG (from ACS Armoured Car Systems), Italy’s LINCE Light Multirole Vehicle (LMV) from Iveco Defence Vehicles, or Poland’s Żmija from AMZ-Kutno. Compared to these peers:

Pegase prioritizes modularity over armor protection; it is not MRAP-class but can be up-armored selectively using bolt-on kits.
Lighter than most equivalents (~3.5 t vs LMV’s ~7 t), enabling better strategic mobility but lower mine/blast resistance.
Designed from inception for full digital C4ISR integration within SCORPION—unlike legacy platforms retrofitted post-facto.

Industrial Base Impact and Export Potential

The production of Pegase contributes to sustaining France’s land defense industrial base centered around Arquus’ facilities in Saint-Nazaire and Limoges. Subsystems such as communications gear are provided by Thales Group while Safran contributes optronics when integrated into ISR variants.

If successful domestically, the Pegase may be offered for export under NATO-compatible configurations targeting partners seeking affordable high-mobility LTVs without full MRAP-level protection—particularly in Africa or Eastern Europe where terrain favors lighter vehicles over heavy armor due to logistical constraints.

Future Outlook: Variants and Upgrades

Arquus has signaled intent to develop multiple mission-specific variants including:

Pegase EW: Fitted with SIGINT/COMINT sensors for electronic surveillance missions;
Pegase UCAV team carrier: Equipped to deploy small rotary-wing drones like NX70;
Pegase SOF variant: Enhanced powertrain/suspension upgrades plus low-profile RWS optimized for special forces insertion/extraction tasks;
Pegase CBRN recon version: Outfitted with chemical/radiological sensors;

An electric-hybrid demonstrator is reportedly under development as part of France’s push toward energy-efficient military platforms by the early 2030s—a trend mirrored across NATO allies seeking reduced logistics tails in expeditionary operations.

Conclusion

The induction of the Pegase LTV marks an important milestone in France’s effort to modernize its land forces through agile platforms tailored for today’s dispersed battlefield environments. While not intended to replace armored personnel carriers outright, its role as a fast-moving sensor node—and potential drone team enabler—underscores evolving doctrine that emphasizes speed, connectivity, and modularity over brute force alone. As deliveries continue through 2026 and beyond, operational feedback will shape future iterations—and possibly open doors abroad for this next-generation tactical workhorse.