French defense manufacturer Arquus has delivered Bastion armored vehicles to Ukraine following three years of testing and evaluation, La Tribune reports.
The Bastion vehicles, built on the VLRA chassis by Arquus subsidiary ACMAT, underwent a complete cycle of testing before being handed over to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Ukrainian forces had previously trialed several lower-cost models before officially requesting the Bastion and placing an order.
“The Ukrainian side opted for a true entry-level armored vehicle — the Bastion,” Bertrand Boyard of Arquus announced.
Plans to supply 11 Bastion vehicles were first announced in April 2023, but the order was subsequently put on hold. Arquus attributed the delay to the absence of a formal intergovernmental agreement between France and Ukraine.
In May 2024, Arquus CEO Emmanuel Levacher confirmed that production of the vehicles was underway. Delivery was scheduled for July 2024. The company added that it could produce up to 100 additional units if requested by Ukraine.
During the delay, Arquus supplied similar vehicles to Armenia. The Bastions were seen in transit through Georgia in November 2023. Shortly beforehand, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna had visited Yerevan, where she announced that France would sign a military equipment supply agreement with Armenia.
France has previously emphasized its preference for strengthening Europe’s defense-industrial base and has been cautious about supporting Ukraine through U.S. arms purchases.
