The Luxembourg Parliament has approved a 2.6-billion-euro ($2.74 billion) procurement of armored vehicles.
It is part of the formation of a binational reconnaissance battalion by Luxembourg and Belgium, with the delivery starting from 2028, according to Forces Operations Blog.
The battalion will be formed in stages, expected to reach its full potential in 2030.
“The legislative process, which began less than six months ago, has not encountered any major obstacles, with the exception of a request for clarification from the Council of State,” the outlet stated.
“The horizon is therefore clear for placing orders with the two temporary groups of companies concerned, one formed by KNDS France, Thales and Arquus and the other by KNDS France and Texelis.”
Luxembourg’s largest ever military procurement includes fleet mid-life upgrades and support for thirty years.
Scorpion Program
The vehicles will be procured under the Scorpion program, including 16 Griffon multi-role armored vehicles, 38 Jaguar armored reconnaissance and combat vehicles, and 5 Serval light multi-role armored vehicles.
Additionally, around 130 vehicles and logistics wagons will also be procured.
The Scorpion is a French Army initiative for land platforms equipped with a networked combat information system by the French information technology firm Atos.
Through the system, they will be networked with infantry soldier equipment and communications systems and with artillery command, control, communications, and intelligence systems.
Binational Battalion
The Scorpion vehicles will arm two of four squadrons of the future battalion, which will be armed with Belgian land components.
Each squadron will have four platoons, each comprising four sections equipped with a Jaguar-CLRV (Command Liaison and Reconnaissance Vehicle) reconnaissance vehicle pair.
A pair of Griffon vehicles will be assigned to each squadron as a command and control post and four to battalion headquarters.
The 700-strong battalion will be deployed for national and international missions in support of organizations like NATO, the EU, and the UN.