To deal with protestors in the city of Lyon, France, the riot control police (Gendarmerie) commissioned fire equipment firm, Maheu-Labrosse, to prepare special vehicles equipped with pressurised water cannons. The firm selected the Berliet GBK 80 model, which had a 6.0-litre, 4-cylinder diesel engine that could reach a top speed of 80 km/hr.

Maheu-Labrosse provided a 6600-litre tank and a 2-stage centrifugal motor pump that could carry the four police personnel* along with the driver and the operator for the water cannons. To protect the truck windscreen, wire mesh was provided.

* they would sit in the compartment provided at the rear