The Serval Véhicule Blindé Multi-Rôles-Léger (VBMR-L: Multi-Role Armored Vehicle-Light) is one of three (3) wheeled vehicles selected by the French Scorpion Program (Synergie du contact renforcée par la polyvalence et l'infovalorisation). Scorpion was created to replace or upgrade all of the French Army's (Armee de Terre) frontline combat vehicles around the same time. The Serval is based on the Nexter Titus 6x6 wheeled armored personnel carrier and was selected as the light vehicle in the Scorpion program.  The VBMR-L was developed to replace the French Army's VBL and some specialist variants of the VAB. Approximately 1000 vehicles are currently planned for construction.

The other vehicles selected by the Scorpion program are the Griffon VBMR (Multi-Role Armored Vehicle) and Jaguar EBRC (Armored Combat & Recon Vehicle)  One goal of the program was to select vehicles that shared common parts and assemblies to ease support and maintenance. However, the Serval is not based upon a similar vehicle as the Jaguar or Griffon, so it remains to be seen how much commonality it has with them.

The Serval has a modular architecture so that it can be built in different variants and configurations.  The announced variants, include an Armored Patrol Vehicle (VPB), Surveillance, Acquisition, Intelligence and Reconnaissance Vehicle (SARR/SA2R -Surveillance, Acquisition, Renseignement et Reconnaissance) and Tactical Communications Node (NCT- Nœud De Communication Tactique).  Other possible variants referenced/exhibited include an Ambulance, Anti-Aircraft Vehicle (Mistral Atlas RC) and Electronic Warfare Vehicle (Guerre Electronique).