PARIS — The French Army has begun receiving Jaguar armored reconnaissance and combat vehicles in the R3 configuration, the fully operational standard developed under France’s SCORPION modernization program.
According to the French defense procurement agency DGA, 21 R3-standard Jaguars had been delivered to French forces by September 4, 2026, with deliveries beginning during the summer. The DGA and French Army qualified the R3 configuration as “bonne de guerre” (fit for war) on April 8, while operational use was authorized on July 20, 2026.
Akeron MP Missile Integration
The main improvement in the R3 configuration is the full integration of the Akeron MP (formerly MMP) medium-range anti-tank missile, supplied by MBDA.
The missile can engage targets at ranges of up to 4 kilometers. According to manufacturer data, its tandem warhead can penetrate more than 1,000 mm of armor. It also supports beyond-line-of-sight engagement and in-flight retargeting. Two missiles are carried ready to fire on the turret, with additional missiles stored inside the vehicle.
The 25-tonne, six-wheeled Jaguar also carries a 40 mm cannon using telescoped ammunition supplied by CTA International and a remotely operated 7.62 mm machine gun for close-range defense.
The vehicle is equipped with the SCORPION Combat Information System (SICS), allowing it to share tactical information in real time with other SCORPION platforms, including the Griffon and Serval.
Production and Fleet Upgrade
The Jaguar was developed by a temporary partnership of KNDS France, Arquus and Thales, with final assembly at KNDS France’s facility in Roanne. Safran provides the optical and sighting systems, while CTA International supplies the 40 mm cannon and MBDA the Akeron MP system.
The Jaguar is replacing the AMX-10RC, ERC-90 Sagaie and VAB variants equipped with HOT anti-tank missiles. Its protection includes a survival-cell architecture for its three-person crew and protection against mines and improvised explosive devices.
France has ordered 300 Jaguars for seven armored cavalry regiments. Deliveries are planned through 2030, with the complete fleet expected to be operational by 2035.
Jaguars already delivered under earlier standards will not be replaced. Instead, KNDS France is upgrading them to the R3 configuration, with the retrofit campaign scheduled for completion by the end of 2027.
Service and Program Cost
The Jaguar entered French Army service in 2022 under an earlier configuration that already provided mobile firing capability from its digital turret. The 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment was the first unit to operate the vehicle and deployed six Jaguars to Estonia in 2024 as part of a NATO mission.
The broader SCORPION program is valued at approximately €11 billion, including around €2 billion for the 300 Jaguars. The Jaguar’s unit cost has increased from an initial target of about €3 million to approximately €6 million.
R3 qualification trials were conducted by the DGA’s land systems testing center in Bourges and Angers. KNDS France has not disclosed how many additional R3 Jaguars will be delivered before the end of 2026 or provided a more detailed retrofit schedule beyond the end-2027 target.
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