The LOHR VPX 5000 light armoured tracked vehicle was shown for the first time at the 1981 Satory Exhibition of Military Equipment. This vehicle can undertake a wide range of roles including anti-tank and reconnaissance. This series was preceded by the VPX 110 family of light tracked vehicles which is no longer offered by the company. As of mid-1995 10 prototypes of the VPX 5000 had been completed, but volume production had yet to commence.

Early in 1991 LOHR stated that development of the VPX 5000 was complete and that the company was ready to sell the licence with a technology transfer package.

The VPX 5000's hull is made of all-welded steel with the engine at the right front, driver to the left of the engine and the crew compartment at the rear. There are two openings in the roof on which various armament systems can be mounted and a door in the rear of the hull on the left side.

The suspension consists of six road wheels with the idler at the front, drive sprocket at the rear and two track-return rollers. The track consists of an endless rubber band internally reinforced.

The LOHR VPX 5000 can be fitted with a wide range of armament installations including the following:

(1) Euromissile MILAN MCT compact turret with two MILAN ATGWs in the ready to launch position, one either side of the turret

(2) Giat Industries Mascot 7.62 mm remote-controlled machine gun mount with infantry MILAN over second hatch at rear of hull

(3) SAMM BTM 208 turret (former designation S 365-1) armed with 12.7 mm and 7.62 mm machine guns

(4) Other turrets armed with 20 mm cannon and various combinations of 7.62 mm and 12.7 mm machine guns with a turret diameter of no more than 1.18 m.

In addition to being fitted with the various armament installations described the manufacturer has suggested the following roles for the vehicle: ambulance, logistic support, radio/command and recovery. At the 1983 Satory Exhibition of Military Equipment one prototype was shown fitted with the RASIT battlefield surveillance radar on a hydraulic arm that could be raised above the chassis. It has also been tested with the Dassault Electronique RODEO 3 air surveillance radar on a hydraulic arm. The Commando VPX 5000 has two 7.62 mm and one 12.7

mm machine guns and a TDA 81 mm mortar.

Details of this 120 mm tracked self-propelled mortar vehicle, still at the prototype stage, are given in the Self-propelled guns and howitzers (tracked) section.

Details of this 120 mm wheeled self-propelled mortar vehicle, still at the prototype stage, are given in the Self-propelled guns and howitzers (wheeled) section.