In practice, the ERC 90 family has proven a successful player since its inception. Additional orders were secured with Ecuador, Gabon and Nigeria, bringing total production to approximately 407 examples. The French Army, by far, has managed the largest stock of ERC 90s through their 192 delivered units. Mexico is second to that with 120 examples followed by Nigeria with 46. The vehicle has proven competent in its armed reconnaissance role and has proven very effective in security details. The French Army has utilized its ERC 90 fleet in Sarajevo and the Ivory Coast while Argentine ERC 90s were used in anger during the 1982 Falklands War against Britain. All ERC 90 production was handled by Societe de Constructions Mecaniques Panhard et Levassor of Paris, France.
Production of ERC 90s is primarily centered around the two base combat models - the ERC 90 F1 "Lynx" (for export) and the ERC 90 F4 "Sagaie" (GIAT TS 90 turret). The family has been broadened to include the EMC 91 fire support vehicle mounting an 81mm mortar to a Hispano-Suiza EMC-style turret as well as a dedicated anti-aircraft vehicle fitting 2 x 20mm autocannons in the ERC 20. The ERC 60-20 is a mix of the EMC 91 and ERC 20 in that it mounts a 60mm mortar with a 20mm autocannon in a Hispano-Suiza 60-20 Serval turret structure. The ERC 90 (Diesel) is a diesel-engined form of the base ERC 90 model for those customers electing a diesel-fueled mount.
The ultimate ERC 90 incarnation is also the last variant available - the ERC 90 "Sagaie 2" - first offered in 1985. The Sagaie 2 brought about use of the SAMM TTB-190 turret atop a longer and wider hull structure (now incorporating 32 to 35 x 90mm projectiles). The original TS-90 90mm high-velocity main gun was retained for its effectiveness while turret armor was improved. The Sagaie 2 also utilized a modern Fire Control System (FCS) and a broader line of optics. Power was derived from 2 x Peugot XD 3T turbocharged diesel engines developing 146 horsepower though 2 x V6 gasoline engines were also offered to discerning customers. All other primary features - 6x6 wheel power, power-assisted front wheels, amphibious support - were all retained. Gabon procured the Sagaie 2 in relatively limited numbers.
To provide a logistically-friendly battlefield solution, the ERC 90 shares many of the same components as the Panhard VCR 6x6 armored personnel carrier (developed concurrently). The APC was first delivered in 1979, produced in a handful of variants and saw some success to foreign orders including 100 to Iraq to which these were showcased in the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s.
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