These are very widespread among French fire services, although as they grow older they are now being replaced by a wide variety of other light 4X4 types - as the Defender now marketed by L-R is a much less industrial type of vehicle. This example is designated as a general purpose vehicle. In practice these VLHR are quite often used as command vans, personnel carriers and/or to carry light loads of small equipment to incidents where good off road capabilities are needed for access, as well as almost any none emergency duties. Generally, they are not to be found with pumps or water tanks as this chassis is quite limited in carrying capacity, so the overloading problems often experienced in many other countries are very rare.
Added by Rob Johnson on 05 September 2026.