The Panhard VBL (light armoured vehicle) is a 4×4 wheeled all-terrain vehicle manufactured by Panhard General Defense, for the French armed forces. The vehicle is primarily deployed in patrol and surveillance missions.The VBL can also be used for anti-tank or air defence missions. It is the frontrunner of the French armour units. The vehicle has been successfully deployed for the past 15 years in various missions in Africa, Lebanon, Kosovo and Afghanistan.The Kuwaiti Ministry of the Interior placed an order in June 2008, for 20 VBL Mk2 light armoured vehicles to equip its special forces. The vehicles were delivered in October 2009.In October 2012, Panhard General Defense was acquired by Renault Trucks Defense, a subsidiary of Volvo.More than 2,300 VBL vehicles are operational within 16 armies worldwide, including 1,600 vehicles in service with the French Army.VBL variantsThe VBL is offered in a number of mission variants, including troop carrier, scout vehicle, reconnaissance, security, command and control, and anti-tank vehicle.The VBL Antichar is an anti-tank defence variant armed with anti-tank missiles to engage main battle tanks. The VBL Source, developed in cooperation with Thales, allows reconnaissance units to extend their range of operations and ensures scout units to share an integrated communications network.The VBL Mk2 is an improved version of the VBL. It is equipped with a 132hp engine, day/night observation scope, and a remotely operated WASP turret mounting a machine gun. The VBL Mk2 is in service with the Kuwait Police Special Forces.VBL design and featuresThe Panhard VBL incorporates an all-welded steel hull. The driver is seated in the front of the crew cab on the left, with the commander to his right. Crew can enter or exit through a door located on either side of the vehicle. The rear compartment is accessible via a large door at the rear that opens to the left.The vehicle measures 4.09m in length without equipment and 2.02m in width. The height