The French Army has taken a significant step in its modernization with the delivery of the first MEPAC self-propelled mortar, based on the Griffon armored vehicle.
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The delivery was completed at the end of 2024 by the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA), according to information from the French Ministry of Armed Forces.
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First Unit Delivered to the 8th Technical Support Regiment
The first vehicle was delivered to the 8th Technical Support Regiment, where it will be used to familiarize technical personnel with the new equipment and prepare the logistics necessary to support subsequent vehicles.
The French Army will receive a total of 54 MEPAC units by the end of 2028, with 10 units scheduled for delivery in 2025. Additionally, 24 units will be manufactured for Belgium as part of the CaMo (Motorized Capacity) military partnership, whose contract was signed in December 2023.
MEPAC Specifications
The MEPAC is a 24.5-ton self-propelled mortar based on the Griffon vehicle, part of the Scorpion military program (Synergie du contact renforcée par la polyvalence et l’infovalorisation). This program aims to modernize the combat capabilities of the French Armed Forces, including future platforms such as the upgraded Leclerc tank and the Jaguar 6×6 and Griffon 6×6 armored vehicles.
The primary role of the MEPAC will be to provide fire support to Combined Arms Tactical Groups (GTIA) in combat zones. With a crew of four soldiers, the vehicle is robust, highly protected, and designed to operate on all types of terrain.
Weapon Capabilities
The MEPAC is equipped with a semi-automatic rifled 120 mm 2R2M mortar capable of firing:
- Conventional 120 mm shells with a range of up to 8.14 km.
- Rocket-assisted shells with a range of up to 12.85 km.
- PERM guided rocket shells with a range of up to 17 km.
This versatility makes the MEPAC a crucial component for providing mobile and precise artillery support to French ground forces.
Partnership with Belgium
In addition to modernizing the French Army, the project strengthens the partnership with Belgium under the CaMo initiative, highlighting European military cooperation for the development and sharing of defense technologies.
Source: Ministère des Armées | Images: X @armeedeterre. This content was created with AI assistance and reviewed by the editorial team.
