While armored cars may not be as widely recognized as tanks in modern warfare, France is certainly making a statement by investing in these formidable machines. One such armored car that has caught the attention of military enthusiasts is the Jaguar.
The Jaguar, though admittedly having a somewhat unconventional appearance, is armed to the teeth. Its primary weapon is the advanced 40mm Cased Telescoped Armament System (CTAS) gun, manufactured by a joint venture between BAE Systems and Nexter Systems.
Known as the 40 CTAS, this compact 40mm gun is capable of firing a variety of ammunition, including armor-piercing fin-stabilized sabot rounds and armor-piercing explosive shells. What sets it apart is its ability to engage high-angle targets, making it suitable for anti-air and anti-drone purposes.
In addition to its main gun, the Jaguar is equipped with a remotely operated 7.62mm general-purpose machine gun as secondary armament. But that’s not all – the Jaguar has a hidden surprise in its arsenal.
Two of the relatively few Moyenne Portée (Medium-Range) anti-tank missiles are housed in a pop-out launcher on one side of the Jaguar’s turret. With an internal reload capability, the Jaguar can carry up to four missiles. These missiles feature a tandem warhead design and are believed to be effective against a wide range of armored targets. They also release tungsten splinters after detonation, making them a potent anti-personnel capability.
As if that weren’t enough, the Jaguar is also well-protected. Its armor protection is said to be sufficient against 14.5x114mm armor-piercing rounds, 155mm artillery shell splinters, as well as various anti-tank mines and improvised explosive devices.
Although the Jaguar’s engine design is based on commercial truck designs, it has been modified to accommodate a wider range of fuels, catering to the diverse environments where France expects to deploy the Jaguar.
The French Ministry of Armed Forces plans to order approximately 300 Jaguar armored reconnaissance vehicles by 2025. These vehicles are domestically manufactured in France by three heavyweights in the French defense industry: Nexter, Arquus, and Thales.
The French tradition of armored cars continues to evolve, and the Jaguar stands as the best-protected and most advanced armored car in service with France. Enemies of France, take heed.
