Two weeks before the French Army’s military parade on July 14, twelve “Centaure” (VIPG) multi-purpose intervention vehicles of the French Gendarmerie were officially named at Versailles-Satory, within the Mobile Gendarmerie Armored Group (GBGM).
General Christophe Daniel, commander of the GBGM, stated at the ceremony that this event is highly symbolic, honoring the “Centaure” military vehicles.
Among these intervention vehicles, one has now been named “Kosovo.”
“These twelve armored vehicles, which will parade during the ceremony on July 14, have been given names of high symbolic value: Stonne, Satory, Captain Delpal, Lieutenant Lagathu, Lieutenant Pichard, Chief Warrant Officer Guichard, Moncey, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Hondschoote, Villodrigo, Bravery, and Discipline. The latter were chosen in honor of historical figures, sensitive operations, or battles that have marked the history of France and are etched into the folds of the gendarmerie flags,” stated the French Interior Ministry’s announcement, as reported by Klankosova.tv.
“A Great Adventure” and Operational Capabilities
Following the flag-raising, GBGM Commander, General Christophe Daniel, delivered a speech, thanking all the soldiers who participated in the implementation of the “Centaur” program. “It is a great adventure,” he said. “Many of the 90 ‘Centaure’ vehicles are already deployed on the ground, especially last year, during sensitive events that occurred in New Caledonia.”
The French Ministry of Interior stated that this new gendarmerie intervention vehicle, powerful and multifunctional, replaces the VBRG (Armored Wheeled Gendarmerie Vehicles) which had been in service since 1974.
The vehicle can carry up to ten people (three crew members and seven soldiers) and can be engaged in a wide range of operational missions, serving to protect the French people, gendarmes, and national territory.
While the deployment of the VIPGs is now complete, twelve of them will participate in the military parade on July 14, 2025, on the Champs-Élysées. This was an opportunity to highlight the gendarmerie’s armored component, even though the previous GBGM motorized parade dates back to July 14, 2000, when it returned from an operation in Kosovo. “It is a strong symbol, which concretizes our work and commitment,” said General Daniel, according to Klankosova.tv.
To mark this rare event, a sponsor was assigned to each vehicle: the youngest gendarme and youngest student of the group, the highest-ranking officers of Satory, or those who had participated in foreign operations, in Kosovo or Afghanistan.
