# Panhard ERC

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French armored car

Panhard ERC An ERC-90 Sagaie of the French Army during a parade Type Armored Car Place of origin France Service history In service 1980–present Wars Peacekeeping missions in Lebanon Gulf War Chiapas conflict[1] Bosnian war Kosovo war First Ivorian Civil War Chadian Civil War (2005–2010) Second Ivorian Civil War Northern Mali Boko Haram insurgency[2] Production history Designed 1975 Manufacturer Panhard No. built 411 Specifications Mass 8.3 tons Length 7.7 m (25 ft) Width 2.50 m (8.2 ft) Height 2.25 m (7.4 ft) Crew 3 Armour 10 mm Main armament 90 mm CN90 cannon Secondary armament 2× MAS machine guns Engine Peugeot V-6 Petrol engine 155 hp at 5,250 rpm Power/weight 18.7 hp/tonne Suspension 6×6 coil springs with shock absorbers Operational range 730 km (450 mi) Maximum speed 90 km/h (56 mph)

The [Panhard](/source/Panhard) **ERC** (***E**ngin à **R**oues, **C**anon*; "Wheeled device, cannon") is a French six-wheeled [armoured car](/source/Armored_car_(military)) which is highly mobile and amphibious with an option of being [NBC](/source/CBRN)-proof. Two versions of the ERC entered production in large numbers: the *ERC-90 Lynx* and the *ERC-90 Sagaie*. The main difference between the two versions is the type of turret and 90 mm gun fitted. *Sagaie* is French for [assegai](/source/Assegai), a type of African [spear](/source/Spear).

## Background

The ERC was originally a private venture by [Panhard](/source/Panhard) aimed at the export market. It was developed in the latter half of the 1970s as a heavier, six-wheeled successor to Panhard's highly successful [AML](/source/Panhard_AML) range of armoured vehicles.[3]

### Design

The ERC and VCR are a family of six wheel armoured reconnaissance vehicles. The ERC is the cannon-armed turret model. The [VCR](/source/Panhard_VCR) is the armoured personnel carrier version. ERC is the French abbreviation of term *Engin à Roues, Canon* or Gun-armed Wheeled Vehicle. The ERC shares many components of the VCR vehicles. Two main versions of the ERC were developed: first the ERC F1 90 *Lynx*, then the ERC F4 90 *Sagaie*. The *Lynx* appeared about 1977 and the *Sagaie* followed approximately two years later in 1979. The *Lynx* was developed primarily as an armoured reconnaissance vehicle. The *Sagaie* was also an armoured reconnaissance vehicle, with the added secondary role of tank-destroyer.[4][5]

In 1977, Panhard offered the ERC and VCR to the [French Army](/source/French_Army) as an armoured personnel carrier (APC) and gun-armed reconnaissance vehicle. The Army instead chose the [VAB four-wheeled armoured vehicle](/source/VAB_(armoured_personnel_carrier)) from [Saviem](/source/Renault) for the larger APC contract, and the [AMX 10 RC](/source/AMX_10_RC) from [GIAT](/source/Nexter) for the reconnaissance requirement. Panhard also offered the vehicles to France's [Mobile Gendarmerie](/source/Mobile_Gendarmerie), a much smaller order, but the Gendarmerie chose the Saviem [VBC-90](/source/VBC-90). Panhard later found success for both the VRC and ERC in the world export market, and later with the ERC version with the French Army, entering service in 1984.[6][5]

### Production history

The first production order for the ERC 90 F1 *Lynx* was in October 1979 from [Argentina](/source/Argentina), for 36 units, to be used by [Argentine Marines](/source/Argentine_Marines) to patrol the long border between Argentina and [Chile](/source/Chile).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] The second large order was from [Mexico](/source/Mexico), for 42 units in early 1981. Both countries ordered the ERC *Lynx* version because it could elevate or depress its 90mm cannon over a wider range for operations in steep mountain terrain.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

Further export orders followed. Both nations also appreciated the all-terrain mobility of the *Lynx* which is enhanced by the capability to raise or lower the central pair of wheels depending on terrain condition, especially in sandy or muddy ground.[7] All versions of the ERC are also equipped with two hydrojets behind the rear wheels and require no preparation for amphibious operations.[5]

### ERC 90 F4 *Sagaie*

An ERC Sagaie of the [1 RHP](/source/1st_Parachute_Hussar_Regiment) in Ivory Coast, 2003

Shortly after the ERC 90 F1 Lynx had been built for export, Panhard recognized the need for a cost-effective light armoured vehicle that could defeat a more modern main battle tank (MBT), like the Russian T-72, which was being exported to many nations.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] The *Lynx* version could only fire medium-velocity [HEAT](/source/HEAT) rounds in the anti-tank role, which lacked the penetration to defeat the more modern MBTs. Panhard designed a turret which mounted the long barrel F4 90mm smooth bore-cannon developed by GIAT, and designated the vehicle the ERC 90 F4 *Sagaie*.[5]

The F4 90mm could fire [APFSDS](/source/APFSDS) (Armour Piercing Fin Stabilised Discarding Sabot) rounds at a much higher velocity than the Lynx's F1 90mm. GIAT and Panhard both claimed it could penetrate heavy armour at 2,000 metres. For a while, GIAT engineers could not find a suitable muzzle brake for the *Sagaie* which would not interfere with the firing of APFSDS rounds, but found a suitable solution using a muzzle brake design from the older [AMX-13](/source/AMX-13) tank.[5]

[Ivory Coast](/source/Ivory_Coast) was the first export customer, ordering five *Sagaies* to replace its aging AMX-13s in the light armour role. At the time, the French Army was organising the Fast Deployment Force (FDF) for overseas military missions, mainly in Africa or the Middle East. The main core of the FDF was the French Army's 9th Marine Infantry Division and the 11th Parachute Division.[8] To make the new FDF "more muscular" a new unit was activated, the 31st Heavy Half Brigade (31 DBL), with two regiments. One regiment was to be armed with vehicles mounting the [HOT wire-guided missile](/source/Euromissile_HOT), and the other with cannon-armed vehicles that could provide both reconnaissance and a limited tank-killing role.

The French Army had at first planned on equipping the second regiment with the [AMX-10RC](/source/AMX-10RC), but were told that this vehicle was not suitable for transport by the French Air Force [Transall C-160](/source/Transall_C-160) or its allies' [Hercules C-130](/source/Hercules_C-130) aircraft, due to size and weight issues. In addition, most of the bridges in Africa had only a 6 to 8 ton load capacity. So instead of the larger AMX-10RC, which was already in service with the French Army, the French Army Staff took the surprise step in December 1980 of ordering the *Sagaie* for the future FDF.[5] To date, the *Sagaie* has proved very useful for the French Army in its African bases and even in urban conditions during the [Siege of Sarajevo](/source/Siege_of_Sarajevo). The last known combat uses of the *Sagaie* were with French troops stationed in Ivory Coast on a peace-keeping mission between two rival factions, and in [Mali](/source/Mali) in 2013.

#### Sagaie upgrade

The French Army upgraded between 2005 and 2009 160 of its 192 ERC's in service with a diesel [MTU](/source/MTU_Friedrichshafen) 4-cylinder 170 hp engine, coupled to an automatic gearbox made by Renk and made enhancements to the turret to improve observation, fire control and command.[9]

### ERC-90 *Sagaie 2* (twin-engine)

A weakness of the Sagaie is its low [power-to-weight ratio](/source/Power-to-weight_ratio). The Sagaie 2, announced in 1985, is an ERC, extended with two Peugeot XD 3T four-cylinder turbocharged diesel 98 hp engines, the same engine used on the VBL (Light Armoured Vehicle).

Six were ordered by [Gabon](/source/Gabon), bearing the designation ERC-2; they are equipped with the TTB 190 turret designed by SAMM.

A prototype equipped with two PRV V6 engines was built as a private venture, but none were ordered.

## Variants

- **EMC 81:** Fire support version armed with 81mm mortar in an [Hispano-Suiza](/source/Hispano-Suiza) EMC turret.

- **ERC 20 Kriss:** Anti-aircraft version with 2× 20 mm [autocannons](/source/Autocannon).

- **ERC 60-20:** Fitted with Hispano-Suiza 60-20 Serval turret armed with a 60 mm mortar and a 20 mm autocannon.

- **ERC 90D (Diesel):** Fitted with a diesel engine.

- **ERC 90 F1 Lynx:** Fitted with the Hispano-Suiza Lynx 90 turret as fitted to the [Panhard AML](/source/Panhard_AML).

- **ERC 90 F4 Sagaie:** Fitted with GIAT TS 90 turret with long barrel high velocity cannon that can fire APFSDS anti-tank rounds.

- **ERC 90 Sagaie 2:** Slightly larger version fitted with twin engines and improved TTB 190 turret.

- **ERC 90 NG:** Modernised version fitted with diesel engine and CMI Cockerill CSE90 turret.

## Operators

A map of ERC 90 operators in blue

- [Argentina](/source/Argentina): 12 ERC-90 *Lynx*.[10]

- [Chad](/source/Chad): 4 ERC-90 *Lynx*.[10] 9 more offered by France in January 2021.[11]

- [Gabon](/source/Gabon): 6 ERC-90 *Sagaie*, 4 ERC-20 *Kriss*.[12]

- [Ivory Coast](/source/Ivory_Coast): 7 ERC-90 *Sagaie*.[10]

- [Mexico](/source/Mexico): 120 ERC-90 *Lynx*.[10]

- [Nigeria](/source/Nigeria): 40 ERC-90 *Sagaie*, 40 ERC-90 *Lynx*.[13]

### Former operators

- [France](/source/France): 190 ERC-90 *Sagaie*.[14] All ERC were retired in 2022.[15]

## References

**Notes**

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [Debay, Yves](/source/Yves_Debay) (2004). *VBL Panhard* (in French). Histoire et collections. p. 98. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9782913903166](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9782913903166).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Beard-wearing Boko Haram terrorists dress as women in attempt at avoid security officials"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150312005958/http://mediaworldng.com/?p=3907). Media World News. Archived from [the original](http://mediaworldng.com/?p=3907) on March 12, 2015. Retrieved 11 March 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Ayliffe-Jones_3-0)** Ayliffe-Jones, Noel (1984). [*World tanks and reconnaissance vehicles since 1945*](https://archive.org/details/worldtanksreconn0000ayli/page/83) (1984 ed.). Hippocrene Books. pp. [83—85](https://archive.org/details/worldtanksreconn0000ayli/page/83). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-88254-978-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-88254-978-1).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Foss, Christopher. *Jane's AFV Recognition Handbook*

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-IDR_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-IDR_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-IDR_5-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-IDR_5-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-IDR_5-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-IDR_5-5) Furlong, R. "Light Armored Vehicles for French Rapid Deployment Force" *International Defense Review*, May 1981

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Foss, Christopher. *Jane's AFV Recognition Handbook*

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** The French Army's Sagaies now have their middle set of wheels fixed in the down position.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** In the French army the Marine units are the old Colonial Infantry, *Troupes coloniales*, renamed *Troupes de marine* in 1961, and not amphibious units.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** [https://euro-sd.com/2024/06/articles/38947/the-french-armys-scorpion-programme-success-in-triplicate/](https://euro-sd.com/2024/06/articles/38947/the-french-armys-scorpion-programme-success-in-triplicate/)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-trade_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-trade_10-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-trade_10-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-trade_10-3) ["Trade Registers"](http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php). Armstrade.sipri.org. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110513073842/http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php) from the original on 2011-05-13. Retrieved 2013-06-20.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["La France cède neuf blindés légers Sagaie à l'armée tchadienne"](http://lignesdedefense.blogs.ouest-france.fr/archive/2021/01/23/la-france-cede-neuf-blindes-legers-sagaie-a-l-armee-tchadien-21823.html). *lignesdedefense.blogs.ouest-france.fr* (in French). 23 January 2021. Retrieved 2021-01-24.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-IISS_12-0)** [International Institute for Strategic Studies](/source/International_Institute_for_Strategic_Studies) (2021). *The Military Balance*. p. 466. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781032012278](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781032012278).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-nigeriastudy_13-0)** [Metz, Helen Chapin](/source/Helen_Chapin_Metz) (ed.). *Nigeria: A Country Study*. pp. 336–349.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-WDA1993_14-0)** Bonsignore, Ezio, ed. (1993). *World Defence Almanac 1992-93: The Balance of Military Power*. Bonn: Monch Publishing Group. pp. 74–75. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0722-3226](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0722-3226).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** [\[1\]](https://www.opex360.com/2022/01/09/le-blinde-a-roues-erc-90-sagaie-ne-fait-officiellement-plus-partie-de-linventaire-de-larmee-de-terre/)

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [ERC-90 Sagaie](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/ERC-90_Sagaie).

- [globalsecurity.org](http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/erc-90.htm)

- [cnn.com](http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2003/iraq/interactive/ground.weapons/content.8.html)

- [nasog.net](https://web.archive.org/web/20050924134459/http://nasog.net/datasheets/armour/6/Panhard_ERC_90_F4_Sagaie_Armoured_Car.htm)

- [ERC 90 Sagaie on Armour.ws](http://armour.ws/erc-90-sagaie-grv/)

- [armyrecognition.com](https://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=1&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.armyrecognition.com%2Findex.php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26task%3Dview%26id%3D78&sl=auto&tl=en)

**Video links**

- [Panhard company promotional video of the ERC 90 Sagaie](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFsw_xgLkwM) on [YouTube](/source/YouTube_video_(identifier))

- [Sagaie in action in CHAD](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7RWpiQWGL4#t=0s) on *Youtube* by Panhard 2008.

v t e Vehicles of the French Army Armoured fighting vehicles AMX-30 AMX-10 RC AMX-10P AuF1 ERC 90 Sagaie EBRC Jaguar Leclerc Leclerc XLR VAB VBL VBCI VBMR Griffon VBMR-L Serval Artillery, transport and combat engineering AuF1 MLRS TRF1 Caesar Peugeot P4 ACMAT SYRANO EBG EFA DNG MEPAC French Army Light Aviation Alouette III Gazelle Puma Super Puma Tiger Fennec Cougar NH90

v t e French armoured fighting vehicles after World War II Tanks and light tanks AMX-30 Leclerc Leclerc XLR Leclerc Evolution EMBT Infantry fighting vehicles AMX-10P VBCI Armoured cars AML-60/90 PVP VBC-90 VBL Vextra Armoured personnel carriers AMX-10P Aravis M3 VAB VCR VXB Nexter Titus VBMR Griffon VBMR-L Serval Combat reconnaissance vehicles AMX-10 RC ERC 90 Sagaie EBRC Jaguar Self-propelled artillery Mk 61 Mk F3 AMX 30 AuF1 CAESAR MEPAC Experimental vehicles AMX-40 Armoured fighting vehicles of France

v t e Modern tank destroyers, assault guns, and fire support vehicles 4 x 4 AML-90 Eland 6 x 6 AMX-10 RC ERC-90 LAV-600 Pindad Badak PTL-02 (WMA301) Ratel 90 SIBMAS TH400 VBC-90 Otaman 8 x 8 Centauro Centauro 2 CM34 Type 16 MCV Mobile gun system Panhard EBR Rooikat Vextra 105 ZTL-11 (ST1) CTWV(Type 25 RCV) Tracked 2S25 Sprut-SD AMX-10P PAC-90 ASU-57 ASU-85 Mowag Cheetah Ikv 72 Ikv 91 Jaguar 1 Jaguar 2 Kanonenjagdpanzer M10 Booker Pvkv m/43 Sav m/43 PTZ-89 Type 60 VT Type 100 ATGM-based M901 (M981) NM142 M1134 FV1620 Humber Hornet FV438 Swingfire FV102 Striker Pansarvärnsrobotbandvagn 551 Pereh Raketenjagdpanzer 1 Raketenjagdpanzer 2 Jaguar 1 Jaguar 2 ZSL-02B ZBD-04A AT

v t e Modern wheeled reconnaissance vehicles 4 x 4 Akrep II AML AMZ Bóbr-3 BRDM-1 BRDM-2 BPM-97 Cobra Cobra II CRAB Commando V-150 DAF YP-104 Dozor-B Eagle I (Swiss) Eagle II (Swiss) Eagle IV (Danish) Eagle V (Danish) EE-3 Jararaca Eland Fennek Ferret Fox FUG Gagamba Hawkei Iveco LMV K151 Raycolt Komodo Komatsu LAV M1117 Guardian Mildef Rentaka Mildef Ribat P2 Piranha 4×4 IB RAM MK3 RBY Spy TAD Turangga Textron TAPV Tiger Tigr URO VAMTAC VBL XAV XTC-02 Żmija 6 x 6 Alvis Saladin AMX-10 RC Eagle V TASYS EBRC Jaguar EE-9 Cascavel Korsak (Piranha IV) [de] Pandur I (Belgium) Pandur I Evolution - MTPz Aufkl [de] ERC 90 LAV-600 Puma Type 87 RCV VBC-90 VEC-M1 8 x 8 ASLAV Centauro Boxer CRV Coyote CTWV RCV Dragon VEC (Piranha V) EBR Freccia EVO Reconnaissance LAV-25 Luchs M1127 Pandur II (Czech) PARS Scout Piranha IIIC Piranha IIIH Rooikat K808 White Tiger KTO Rosomak Type 08 Vextra CTWV(Type 25 RCV)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Panhard ERC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panhard_ERC) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panhard_ERC?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.