KNDS France and Metlen team to offer VBCI Philoctetes to Greece

In advance of Greece’s DEFEA 2025 defence exhibition, to be held in Athens from 6 to 8 May, KNDS France and Greek conglomerate Metlen have signed an agreement facilitating joint production of a Greek variant of the Véhicule Blindé de Combat d’Infanterie (VBCI) MK2 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), known as the VBCI Philoctetes, in an exclusive partnership.

This alliance, which was signed on 26 March, includes the transfer of know-how in the field of aluminium armour and local production of the welded structure of the VBCI MK2, according to KNDS. The strategic industrial agreement is intended to cover not only the operational needs of the Hellenic Army for a large number of 8×8 IFVs, should the vehicle be selected, but also those of other European land forces.

The VBCI Philoctetes

Compared to the 630 VBCIs delivered to the French Army up to 2015, the VBCI MK2/Philoctetes has been further developed as a result of soldiers’ operational experience, particularly in the area of protection. The vehicle is equipped with a remotely controlled turret armed with a 40 mm Cased Telescoped Weapon System (CTWS), as with the French Jaguar 6×6 armoured reconnaissance vehicle, and a launcher for the Missile Moyenne Portée (MMP) anti-tank missile. The vehicle’s diesel engine, boosted to 440 kW, accelerates the 31-tonne vehicle up to 100 km/h.

The VBCI is available in several versions, such as command post, medical or recovery variants. Depending on the mission equipment, the vehicle can transport up to nine troops in addition to its crew of two and is ballistically protected up to STANAG 4569 Level 6 and mine/blast protected up to Level 4, including through the use of blast-resistant seating. The VBCI Philoctetes can be airlifted by A400M and C-17 transport aircraft.

KNDS (then still Nexter) presented the VBCI Philoctetes to the public for the first time at DEFEA 2021. A year later, Nexter entered into a strategic partnership with Hellenic Defence Systems to facilitate Greek production and maintenance if the vehicle were to be selected.

Demand in Greece

The KNDS France proposal covers 200 VBCI Philoctetes IFVs and 50 specialised variants, as well as 120 VBCIs transferred from French Army stocks as quickly as possible. The Hellenic Army would therefore to receive a total of 370 vehicles. Cyprus was named as another interested party, which could join a procurement contract at a later date.

Strong industrial partnership

Metlen claims to have many years of experience in the defence sector and has been a reliable industrial partner of KNDS Deutschland for 23 years. The plant in Volos is already responsible for welding work on the armour steel of the Leopard 2 main battle tank. With this new co-operation, Metlen is strengthening its role within the European defence industry.

To further expand its role in the defence sector, Metlen announced the construction of a new plant for advanced metal structures in early 2024, which should be operational by 2026. In addition, two further plants were acquired in the Volos industrial zone, which are currently being integrated into Metlen’s overall industrial system.

On 31 March 2025 Metlen announced it had signed a strategic alliance with Iveco Defence Vehicles to provide logistic trucks and other combat vehicles to the Hellenic Army.