Renault Sherpa Light
A Renault Light Scout APC on display.
TypeLight tactical vehicle
Place of originFrance
Service history
In service2006 – Present
Used bySee Operators
Production history
DesignerRenault Truck Defense
Designed2006 – Present
ManufacturerRenault Truck Defense (Former)
Arquus (Current)
Avibras (Brazil)
MACK Defense (North America/Oceania)[1]
Pindad (Indonesia)
Specifications
Mass7.7 to 9.8 t
Length5,900 mm (232.3 in)
Width2,200 mm (86.6 in)
Height2,100 mm (82.7 in)
Crew4 or 5
ArmorCEN 1063 and STANAG 4569
Main
armament
up to 12.7 mm (machine gun) and 40mm (grenade launcher)
EngineEuro 3 or 5
215 hp (160 kW)
Suspensionrigid axles
Operational
range
800 to 900 km
Maximum speed 110 to 120 km/h (68–75 mph)

The Sherpa Light is a family of 4x4 tactical and light armored vehicles developed by French company Renault Trucks Defense (RTD). Available in unarmoured or armoured variants (ballistic, mine and IED kits), the Scout is suited for tactical missions such as scouting, patrol, convoy escort and command and liaison. It is able to transport up to 4 or 5 soldiers or a total payload of up to 4 tonnes.[2]

The Sherpa family is also available to customers in North America and Oceania via Mack Defense.[3][4]

History

The Sherpa 2/3 was officially unveiled to the public at Eurosatory 2006 in Paris.[5][6] with first production models made in 2007.[7][8] In 2010, it changed the name from Sherpa 2 and 3 to Light.[9][10]

The Sherpa Light was shown in Asia in the BRIDEX 2011 convention alongside the VAB Mk II in Brunei on July 28, 2011.[11]

On October 26, 2011, Pindad showed off an Indonesian-made version of the Sherpa known as the Elang during a public exhibition event.[12]

Mack Defense unveiled the Mack Sherpa Light Scout for the first time at the 2014 Association of the United States Army AUSA Annual Meeting & Exposition (AUSA) event in Washington DC.[13] In 2017, Mack promoted the Sherpa Special Forces variant at the Special Operations Forces Industry Conference in Tampa, Florida.[14]

In April 2014, Avibras has entered the TUPI to be assessed at the Brazilian Army Assessments Center (CAEx).[15][16] Based on the Sherpa Light Scout chassis under cooperation between Avibras and Renault,[17] it is meant to be marketed to the Brazilian Army for a new Wheeled Multirole Light Armored Vehicle under the Viatura Blindada Multitarefa - Leve de Rodas (VBMT - LR; Lightweight Wheeled Multirole Protected Vehicle) program against the Iveco LMV with a contract decision before the end of 2015.[18][19]

In 2015, MACK-made Sherpas were presented to the National Guard of Ukraine for potential purchases and evaluation.[20]

In 2016, requirements from French Special Operations Command resulted in the development of the Poids Lourd Forces Spéciales for rapid response operations.[21] The PLFS was first shown at the Eurosatory 2016 exhibit on June 13, 2016.[22] It was officially certified by the Direction générale de l'armement on January 31, 2017.[23] In Brazil, the TUPI lost a potential contract for the Brazilian Army's VBMT-LR program when the Brazilian Army announced on April 14, 2016 that the Iveco LMV will be selected as the new 4x4 vehicle,[24] followed by another announcement on September 1, 2016 that 1,464 LMVs will be purchased instead.[25]

After RTD was rebranded as Arquus on May 24, 2018,[26] research and development continued on the Sherpa, which led to the creation of the Sabre[27] as its first Arquus-branded product when it was unveiled at the 2019 Special Forces at the Defense Exhibition (SOFINS) exhibit.[10] Field tests were conducted with an MMP missile fired from the Sabre under the direction of the Direction Générale de l’Armement as of February 2021.[28]

On May 19, 2020, Arquus announced the successful production of the 1000th Sherpa Light vehicle.[29]

At the EDEX 2021 convention, it was announced that Arquus will collaborate with the Egyptian Ministry of Defence Vehicle Department – Engineering Industrial Complex.[30] The chassis is provided by Arquus.[31]

On September 22, 2021, Arquus has offered to work with Romania in manufacturing the Sherpa Light under license under a proposal for greater French-Romanian defense cooperation.[32]

It was reported in SOFINS 2023 that the 25 Sabres used by French special forces from 2017 were given unsatisfactory results in road handling and stability, so they were returned back to Arquuus.[33] All of them were retrofitted back on feedback.[33]

A Sherpa APC was on display at MILIPOL 2023 on November 15, 2023 in use with the BRI.[34]

Variants

French Variants

The following variants are made by Renault Trucks Defense, and later by Arquus.[35]

Pre-2010

  • Sherpa 2: Basic version with four seats and loading capacity of 2.5 cubic meters and 2 tons.[5][36]
  • Sherpa 3: Basic version with two seats, no armored cabin and loading capacity of 3.5 tons.[6][5][36]
  • Sherpa 3A: Same as the Sherpa 3, but with an armored cabin.[6]
  • Sherpa 3 Grand Volume: Long chassis body with space for 10 persons.[6]
  • Sherpa 3 Special Forces: Light attack vehicle in special forces operations.[8]
  • Sherpa 3 High Intensity: For special forces units operating in recon roles.[6][8]

Post-2010

  • APC: 3 door version which can carry up to 10 persons while having capability to have weapons mounted on top.[37][38]
  • Assault Ladder: Designed for counter-terrorist forces which have modular platform with hydraulic ramp and ladders up to 8.5 m.[39]
  • Scout: 4 door vehicle designed for Reconnaissance, Patrol, Surveillance and Command Post with maximum of 5 persons.[40] The windshield and doors can have ballistic windows.[10] Sold through MACK Defense as the Sherpa Scout.[41]
  • Special Forces: Light attack vehicle with provisions to mount weapons on top while capable of mounting armored and mine protection kits.[42] It can seat two persons in front, one at the rear for a gunner and another for one more person at the rear.[10] Sold through MACK Defense as the Sherpa Special Forces.[43]
    • Poids Lourd Forces Spéciales or Special Forces Heavy Weight: Customized vehicle made on request based on French special forces requirements.[21][44] Known to have a combat and logistics version.[44] Can be outfitted with two radios and a self-recovery winch while having at least more seat for another person, having a seat capacity for 5 persons.[44] Has a stronger engine at 265 hp.[23]
    • Sabre: A further developed variant of the SF vehicle,[27] Arquus unveiled it to the public at the 2019 SOFINS exhibit.[10] Similar to the PLFS, except that it can mount more radios/other C4ISR equipment when required.[10]
  • Station Wagon: 5 door version of Scout designed for Reconnaissance, Patrol, Surveillance, Systems transport and Internal security with maximum of 5 persons.[45][46]
  • Weapon System Carrier: Designed to operate with mounted weapon on vehicle flatbed.[47][48] Sold through MACK Defense as the Sherpa Carrier.[49]
  • Armored Ambulance[10]
  • Internal Security Vehicle[50]

Foreign Variants

  • Mack Sherpa: American badged version of the Sherpa, first unveiled in 2014.[13]
    • Mack Sherpa Hawkeye 105mm: A Sherpa Carrier with a Mandus Group-mounted 105mm howitzer.[51]
  • Avibras TUPI: Brazilian-made badged version unveiled in 2014.[18][lower-alpha 1] It was to be equipped with either an ARES Aeroespacial & Defesa REMAX remote-controlled weapon station or W&E Platt MR550 shielded ring mount armed with a 7.62x51 mm or 12.7x99 mm machine gun, or 40 mm automatic grenade launcher.[18] The Tupi was made for the Brazilian Army's Light Wheeled Multi-Task Armored Vehicle (VBMT-LR) project.[52]
  • Pindad Elang: Indonesian-made version of the Sherpa Light in collaboration with Renault.[12]
  • Temsah Sherpa

Operators

Map of Renault Sherpa 2 operators in blue
Sherpa light tactical vehicle in Kuwaiti service
  •  Australia: Corrections Victoria Security and Emergency Services Group (SESG) use two Mack badged vehicles for high risk prisoner transport that can accommodate up to four prisoners.[53][54] The vehicles were manufactured in Australia under Volvo according to CV requirements with a contract of $AUD 900,000 for one van.[55]
  •  Brazil: Three Sherpa Light APCs in service with the Federal Police of Brazil for BRL5 million.[56][57]
  •  Chile: Used by Carabineros de Chile's GOPES, first purchased in 2014.[58]
  •  Egypt: Sherpa Scout/Light Station Wagon used by both the Egyptian Army and the National Police forces, 191 vehicles ordered and delivered from 2012 to 2014.[57][59] Egypt developed an Egyptian variant of the Sherpa called Temsah Sherpa.[60][61][62][63]
  •  France: GIGN is equipped with Sherpa APCs equipped with assault ladders with 2008 vehicles in service under Gendarmerie Nationale.[57][64] French special forces equipped with the PLFS – Poids Lourd des Forces Spéciales, based on the Sherpa 2 chassis.[65] 202 PLFS vehicles first ordered in 2015.[23]
  •  Ghana[66]
  •  India: National Security Guard[67] and Central Industrial Security Force.[68]
  •  Indonesia: 12 Light Scouts,[69] 6 Armored Light Scouts,[70] and several Weapon System Carrier/Station Wagon variants for MBDA MPCV System.[71] It was reported in 2011 that Renault collaborated with PT Pindad to manufacture some of the Sherpas for the Indonesian military.[57]
    • Elang made in limited quantities and only used by the 201st/202nd/203rd Mechanized Infantry Battalions.[12][72]
  •  Kuwait: 240 Sherpas sold to Kuwait National Guard in 2015.[57][73] Sherpa Scouts sold to the Kuwaiti military in 2016 under a €270 m contract.[57]
  •  Kosovo[35]
  •  Lebanon: Sherpa Lights used in the Lebanese military, which was part of a USD$3 billion grant from Saudi Arabia.[74]
  •  Mexico: The MACK Sherpa Scout is used by the Mexican Naval Infantry.[75][76] It was first unveiled to the public in 2016, part of a purchase made in 2014.[77] 15 MACK Sherpa Scouts are to be deployed with Mexican Navy forces stationed in Tamaulipas, Guerrero, Michoacán, Sinaloa and the Mexican-Guatemalan land border.[77] The vehicles will also be used by the Mexican Navy's Unidad de Operaciones Especiaes (Special Operations Unit) and the 27th Infantry Battalion.[78]
  •  Morocco: In June 2020, Morocco had a contract with Arquus for 36 Sherpas in Light Scout and APC configurations for Moroccan special forces units.[79]
  •  Qatar: In 2011, an order was made for five Sherpa Light APCs for the Internal Security Forces.[80] Another order for five more Sherpa Lights made in 2013.[57]
  •  Saudi Arabia: Pressed 100 Sherpa Light vehicles into service in 2014, which was part of a $USD3 billion contract in military aid to Lebanon.[57]

See also

  • The Renault Sherpa should not be confused with the Leyland Sherpa — see LDV Pilot.

Notes

References

  1. ↑ As of October 2017, using the Wayback machine on the official MACK Defense website indicates that it no longer shows the Sherpa family.
  2. ↑ ARG. "Renault Sherpa 2 Light Utility Vehicle | Military-Today.com". www.military-today.com. Archived from the original on 15 March 2017. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
  3. ↑ "Armored Cars: Renault Sherpa". 31 January 2016. Archived from the original on 6 May 2017. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
  4. ↑ https://sotatalousseura-fi-bin.directo.fi/@Bin/a6669c15439b7a5fc3ddc07326e47b1c/1571276489/application/pdf/177947/Volvo Trucks presentation Sotataloudellinen seura 25112013.pdf
  5. 1 2 3 "Achats-Industriels.com - Renault Trucks Défense complète la gamme Sherpa". www.achats-industriels.com. Archived from the original on 23 August 2006. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Sherpa 3A Renault Trucks Defense Armoured vehicle personnel carrier". Army Recognition. Archived from the original on 27 August 2012. Retrieved 14 September 2012.
  7. ↑ "Renault Sherpa 2 Light Utility Vehicle". www.military-today.com.
  8. 1 2 3 "Renault Sherpa 3 Light Utility Vehicle". www.military-today.com.
  9. ↑ "Renault Sherpa". 15 January 2016. Archived from the original on 15 January 2016.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Vehicle Focus ~ ARQUUS SHERPA Light Family". 2 January 2019.
  11. ↑ "Renault Trucks Defense last range of wheeled armoured with VAB Mark II and Sherpa at BRIDEX 2011 | BRIDEX 2011 daily news actualites pictures video | Defense exhibition 2011 daily news category".
  12. 1 2 3 "Mengenal Komodo Berkulit Baja dari Bandung (Bagian 1)". 12 July 2018.
  13. 1 2 "Mack Defense to present Sherpa Light Scout and Armoured Wheeled Loader L 180 at AUSA 2014 0610145 | AUSA 2014 Show Daily News Coverage Report | Defence and security military army exhibition 2014".
  14. ↑ "Mack DEFENSE Sherpa Special Forces 4x4 vehicle at SOFIC 2017 | SOFIC 2017 Online Show Daily News | Defence security military exhibition 2017 daily news category".
  15. ↑ "Avibras Indústria Aeroespacial S/A - Avibras is one of the finalists in the Light Wheeled Multi-Task Armored Vehicle acquisition process by the Brazilian Army".
  16. ↑ "BAE Systems joins the race for the future Brazilian armored vehicle VBMT-LR | August 2014 global defense security news UK | Defense Security Global news Industry army 2014". www.armyrecognition.com.
  17. ↑ "DefesaNet - Guarani - TUPI - AVIBRAS detalha sua proposta". 28 July 2015. Archived from the original on 15 November 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  18. 1 2 3 "Janes | Latest defence and security news". Archived from the original on 14 December 2015.
  19. ↑ Administrator (25 July 2015). "Tupi Avibras 4x4 multirole armoured vehicle technical data sheet specifications pictures video 12507153 - Brazilian army Wheeled armoured and vehicle UK - Brazil Brazilian army military equipment UK". www.armyrecognition.com. Archived from the original on 15 November 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  20. ↑ "Новітній броньовик Shepra (ФОТО, ВІДЕО)". 24 September 2015.
  21. 1 2 "SOFINS 2017: RTD Shows VLFS".
  22. ↑ Eurosatory premiere sortie pour journallessentinelles.com
  23. 1 2 3 "First Renault Trucks Defense PLFS Special Forces Heavy Vehicles into service with French army 11102172 | February 2017 Global Defense Security army news industry | Defense Security global news industry army 2017 | Archive News year".
  24. ↑ Barreira, Victor (15 April 2016). "Brazilian Army selects Iveco LMV as its new 4x4 vehicle". IHS Jane's. Archived from the original on 19 May 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
  25. ↑ Barreira, Victor (1 September 2016). "Brazil to acquire 1,464 LMV protected vehicles". IHS Jane's. Archived from the original on 4 September 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
  26. ↑ "Janes | Latest defence and security news". Archived from the original on 11 September 2018.
  27. 1 2 "A unique know-how to serve the Special Forces | Arquus".
  28. ↑ "French Armed Forces Update" (PDF). franceintheus.org. February 2021. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  29. ↑ "ARQUUS Announces 1000th Sherpa". 19 May 2020.
  30. ↑ "EDEX: A new Sherpa is born under the Pyramids shade". December 2021.
  31. ↑ "Egypt has developed new armored vehicle based on French Sherpa 4x4 chassis | EDEX 2021 News Official Show Daily | Defence security exhibitions 2021 show daily news category | Defense & Security Exhibitions Archives".
  32. ↑ "The French Company Arquus Releases Armored Vehicles for Romanian Army". 22 September 2021.
  33. 1 2 "SOFINS 2023: Arquus details Sabre light tactical vehicle delivery schedule". Janes.com.
  34. ↑ https://www.joint-forces.com/world-news/defence-news/68976-sherpa-apc-police-showcased-by-bri-at-milipol
  35. 1 2 "Sherpa Light Scout 4x4 wheeled tactical armored vehicle data | French army france wheeled armoured vehicle UK | French army military equipment vehicle UK". www.armyrecognition.com. 9 December 2021.
  36. 1 2 "Arquus | Military Vehicles | Armored Cars | Armory Personnal Carrier |". Archived from the original on 20 October 2007.
  37. ↑ "Sherpa Light | APC Vehicle |". Archived from the original on 28 October 2016.
  38. ↑ "Our armored vehicles | Arquus | military vehicles | French Army". Archived from the original on 4 November 2016.
  39. ↑ "Our armored vehicles | Arquus | military vehicles | French Army". Archived from the original on 15 August 2016.
  40. ↑ "Sherpa Light scout | Combat proven APC & Scout military vehicle | Sherpa Truck". Archived from the original on 2 November 2016.
  41. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). www.afohab.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 October 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  42. ↑ "Our armored vehicles | Arquus | military vehicles | French Army". Archived from the original on 17 August 2016.
  43. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). www.afohab.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 October 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  44. 1 2 3 "PLFS ARQUUS Special Forces Vehicle data pictures video". www.armyrecognition.com. 19 April 2019.
  45. ↑ "Renault Trucks Defense". www.renault-trucks-defense.eu. Archived from the original on 20 September 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  46. ↑ "Renault Trucks Defense". renault-trucks-defense.eu. Archived from the original on 15 August 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  47. ↑ "Renault Trucks Defense". www.renault-trucks-defense.eu. Archived from the original on 2 March 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  48. ↑ "Sherpa Light SF Special Forces 4x4 armored vehicle technical data sheet specifications information pictures video 12007153 | French army france wheeled armoured vehicle UK | French army military equipment vehicle UK". 20 July 2015.
  49. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). www.afohab.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 October 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  50. ↑ "Arquus Sherpa Light Internal Security Vehicle". 23 November 2019.
  51. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). www.afohab.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 October 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  52. ↑ "Avibras Indústria Aeroespacial S/A - Avibras is one of the finalists in the Light Wheeled Multi-Task Armored Vehicle acquisition process by the Brazilian Army". www.avibras.com.br.
  53. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/FernoAustralia/posts/1547720968721463
  54. ↑ Minister for Corrections (21 June 2019). "New High-Tech Prisoner Transport Vehicles On The Road". Premier of Victoria (Press release). Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  55. ↑ "Archived copy". www.theage.com.au. Archived from the original on 17 October 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  56. ↑ "PF compra três blindados de R$ 5 milhões para as Olimpíadas". 15 October 2015. Archived from the original on 16 October 2015. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
  57. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Archived copy" (PDF). oidagroup.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 October 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  58. ↑ Infodefensa.com (4 May 2017). "Carabineros de Chile muestra por primera vez su Renault Sherpa antiterrorista - Noticias Infodefensa América". Archived from the original on 12 May 2017. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  59. ↑ "Egyptian defence ministry orders Renault Trucks Defense Sherpa Light Scout and MIDS vehicles". 21 October 2011. Archived from the original on 15 September 2012.
  60. ↑ "Armored – Temsah Sherba – Eltemsah". Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  61. ↑ Valpolini, Paolo (1 December 2021). "EDEX: a new Sherpa is born under the Pyramids shade". EDR Magazine. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  62. ↑ "مصر تطور نسخة محلية جديدة من مركبة تكتيكية شيربا لايت 4x4 الفرنسية". 21 June 2021.
  63. ↑ "مصر تطور نسخة محلية جديدة من المركبة التكتيكية شيربا لايت 4×4 الفرنسية". 20 June 2021.
  64. ↑ "La nouvelle bête d'assaut du GIGN". defense.blogs.lavoixdunord.fr. Archived from the original on 18 July 2017. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  65. ↑ Frédéric, Lert (13 February 2017). "French Special Forces receive their first new PLFS vehicles". Bordeaux: IHS Jane's. Archived from the original on 17 February 2017. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  66. ↑ "Trade Registers". armstrade.sipri.org.
  67. ↑ "NSG commandos get new counter-terror machine". 28 October 2013. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  68. ↑ "At Delhi airport, Sherpa can withstand explosives, neutralise terror suspect". 21 October 2017. Archived from the original on 10 November 2017. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  69. ↑ "Renault APCs set for Indonesian army". Archived from the original on 17 January 2011. Retrieved 14 September 2012.
  70. ↑ Raditya, Rendy (6 March 2017). "Enam "SHERPA 2" Perkuat Indobatt". Militer.or.id. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
  71. ↑ "Renault Sherpa Light: Rantis Pengusung Rudal Mistral RCWS Arhanud TNI AD – Indomiliter.com". 11 August 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
  72. ↑ "Mengenal Komodo Berkulit Baja dari Bandung (Bagian 2 - Evolusi Sang Reptil Purba)". 13 July 2018.
  73. ↑ Martin, Guy. "Kuwait – French summer sales - defenceWeb". www.defenceweb.co.za. Archived from the original on 10 November 2017. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  74. ↑ "Janes | Latest defence and security news". Archived from the original on 9 March 2016.
  75. ↑ "Plano Brasil – Infanteria de Marina Mexicana apresenta seu veiculo blindado 4×4 Mack Sherpa Scout". www.planobrazil.com.
  76. ↑ "Mexican military parades variety of new equipment - IHS Jane's 360". 21 September 2016. Archived from the original on 21 September 2016.
  77. 1 2 Medellin, Jorge (26 September 2016). "Se reequipan Fuerzas Especiales de Marina".
  78. ↑ "Sherpa Scout de México, un Renault para lo que haga falta - Noticias Infodefensa América". Archived from the original on 17 October 2019. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
  79. ↑ "Morocco orders ARQUUS Sherpa Light 4x4 tactical vehicles for its Special Forces". www.armyrecognition.com.
  80. ↑ "Qatar orders 27 military vehicles from Renault". 12 December 2011.
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