The Serval 4x4 Multipurpose Armored Vehicle (VBMR Leger) was first demonstrated by Nexter Systems (part of KNDS) on September 10-11, 2018 in Satori near Paris.

On February 12, 2018, Nexter Systems signed a contract with the DGA (Direction Générale de l’Armement) of France to develop and manufacture for the French armed forces of VBMR Leger, later called Serval. The contract was concluded after a tender, in which also participated Renault Truck Defense (RTD, now Arquus, part of the Volvo group), with a version of its ACMAT Bastion HM and a Thales group with a variant of the Australian Bushmaster.

VBMR Leger is part of the SCORPION program (Synergie du contact renforcée par la polyvalence et l'infovalorisation), whith previously presented the VBMR Griffon 6x6 and EBRC Jaguar 6x6, which will be produced by the Nexter, Arquus and Thales consortium.

Nexter’s VBMR Leger is a lightweight 4x4 version of TITUS 6x6 armored vehicle.

Serval is planned to be produced in five versions - patrol (armored personnel carrier), reconnaissance, communication vehicle, electronic warfare vehicle, medevac. In the future, it is possible to develop several more variants, such as command, engineering, artillery observers vehicle.

The start of deliveries of the patrol variant is scheduled for 2022. According to the draft French state armament program for the period 2019–2025, by 2025, 489 VBMR Leger vehicles are expected to be supplied to the French armed forces (an increase from the previously planned 358), and by the year 2030 – 978 vehicles. In total, it is planned to purchase 2,000 vehicles which should replace the VBL light armored vehicles in the French army and some special variants of the VAB. The cost of one Serval in serial purchases should be from 500 to 700 thousand euros. French gendarmerie is also interested in Serval.

The vehicle will have a total combat weight of about 17 tons. It has enhanced mine protection. The patrol variant can carry 10 people (including two crew members) equipped with the FELIN system. The vehicle is compatible with the SCORPION (SICS) combat network information system. As weapons can be used remote controlled weapon station.

The Serval will be manufactured at the Nexter tank-building site in Roane, and French Texelis (Limoges) will be the contractor for the design and manufacture of the suspension and transmission.