The French defense supplier Arquus has confirmed a contract to deliver 61 Bastion armored vehicles to Ukraine.
According to the latest Rapport de mission released by John Cockerill, Arquus, which operates as a subsidiary of the company, said it “has also signed a contract for the delivery of 61 Bastion vehicles for Ukraine.”
The report noted that the deal follows earlier transfers linked to the French Army’s phased-out VAB vehicles.
In addition to the VAB-related contracts, Arquus has already supplied 11 Bastion vehicles specifically configured for troop transport. The company said that another 50 Bastion vehicles are expected to follow under the new agreement.
The Bastion is a 4×4 armored personnel carrier developed by Arquus and widely used in African and Middle Eastern operations. It is designed for high mobility, troop protection, and adaptability in rugged terrain. The vehicle can carry up to ten personnel and is known for its modular design, which allows integration of weapon stations, communications suites, and additional armor packages depending on mission requirements.
The Bastion, originally developed to support counterinsurgency and peacekeeping missions, has increasingly been adapted to the demands of high-intensity warfare.
The Rapport de mission also noted that these deliveries come in addition to transfers coordinated through French military aid, underscoring the dual role of government and industry in supplying Kyiv with vehicles for its armed forces. The vehicles are intended to improve Ukrainian mobility on the battlefield while protecting troops during transport across contested zones.
Arquus, headquartered in Versailles, is a major provider of wheeled armored vehicles to the French armed forces, including the VAB, VBL, and Griffon. Its Bastion platform has seen wide export use and is considered a proven vehicle for patrol and troop transport missions.
While neither Arquus nor French defense officials provided a delivery schedule, the report stated that the eleven Bastion vehicles already provided are now in Ukrainian service, with the additional fifty set to follow.
The agreement reflects continued European industry support for Ukraine as the conflict enters another year. France has previously transferred artillery systems, armored vehicles, and air defense equipment as part of its bilateral assistance to Kyiv. The new Bastion deliveries are expected to complement those efforts by expanding the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ protected mobility options.