The General Directorate of Armaments (DGA) announced on 28 January that it had delivered the first Griffon Mortier Embarqué Pour l’Appui au Contact (MEPAC) 6×6 self-propelled 120mm mortar carrier to the French Army on 19 December 2024.
The vehicle was delivered to the Satory detachment of the 8th RMAT (Equipment Regiment) which ensures the maintenance in operational condition of the French Army’s equipment.
The MEPAC, a 24.5-tonne multi-role armoured vehicle derived from the Griffon, is part of the Scorpion military programme, which seeks to enhance and modernize the French Army’s combat capabilities. The vehicle’s primary role is to provide support to the combined arms tactical group (GTIA) within the contact zone. Designed to accommodate a crew of four soldiers, this armoured vehicle is characterized by its durability, strong protection, and mobility across various terrains.
Equipped with a Thales 120mm 2R2M semi-automatic mortar and a remotely operated turret featuring 7.62 mm armament, the MEPAC is fully integrated into the ATLAS artillery network. This integration enables swift and precise artillery fire support with a high rate of fire. In line with all vehicles in the Scorpion military programme, the MEPAC incorporates the common Scorpion vetronics, facilitating near real-time information exchange. This capability allows it to contribute to connected collaborative combat, thereby enhancing the GTIA’s effectiveness as a comprehensive combat system.
A shipment of ten additional vehicles is scheduled for 2025. By the conclusion of 2028, the French Army is set to receive fifty-four MEPACs. Additionally, twenty-four units are designated for Belgium under the CaMo (Motorized Capacity) partnership. The temporary consortium of manufacturers, known as GME, which includes KNDS France, Thales, and Arquus, is responsible for the production of multi-role armoured vehicles (EBMR), including the Griffon, which serves as the foundation for the MEPAC.