Within the framework of an Immediate Operational Requirement, 21 Fuchs (fox) TPz armoured transport vehicles are being equipped with improved protection against mines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IED).

Within the framework of an Immediate Operational Requirement, 21 Fuchs (fox) TPz armoured transport vehicles are being equipped with improved protection against mines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IED).

On March 20, the first production vehicle fitted with the new equipment was presented by Rheinmetall in Kassel during a meeting of the steering committee of the future users working group. The other 20 vehicles are to be delivered by June 2008.

The Fuchs was developed in the 1970s, initially as a dedicated transport vehicle for the requirements of the German Federal Armed Forces. Altogether more than 1,000 vehicles were ultimately procured, and a wide range of variants was developed, including NBC reconnaissance, electronic warfare, radio and command post, and armoured ambulance.

By continuous technical development of the vehicle and of its logistic support, the Fuchs has remained in service alongside more recently-developed vehicle developments.

A previous upgrade package already improved the vehicle’s ballistic protection, ergonomics and payload of a batch of 124 TPz Fuchs. The most recent protective improvements have increased the vehicle’s potential for enhanced safety of the crews deployed in Afghanistan.

Further planned improvements under development include enhanced protection (jammer) and firepower (new weapon station).

defense-aerospace.com
08.04.2008
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