Fennek

The Fennek, also designated as the Leichter Gepanzerter Spähwagen (LGS), is a four-wheeled reconnaissance vehicle developed to replace existing scout platforms in the German Army and the Royal Netherlands Army. Designed between 1997 and 2000 by KNDS Deutschland and Dutch Defence Vehicle Systems, the vehicle completed field trials in April 2000. A joint production contract followed in December 2001, with the first deliveries to the Netherlands and Germany occurring in 2003. The Turkish company FNSS Defence Systems acquired license production rights for the design in 2004.

The vehicle utilizes a selectable four-wheel-drive system powered by a Deutz diesel engine. It is equipped with a central tire pressure regulation system that the driver adjusts from the interior to match terrain conditions. The primary mission equipment is an observation package mounted on a mast capable of extending 1.5 meters. This package integrates a thermal imager, a daylight camera, and a laser rangefinder. Combined with onboard GPS and inertial navigation systems, these sensors allow the crew to transmit precise target coordinates to digital battlefield networks. The sensor head and control unit can be detached and operated from a tripod for concealed, dismounted reconnaissance.

Armor provides all-round protection against 7.62mm rounds, and additional armor can be fitted based on mission requirements. The crew compartment is protected against anti-personnel mines, and the air conditioning system includes nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) filtration. Many German variants also operate Aladin miniature UAVs for expanded surveillance.

Armament configurations vary by operator and variant. German reconnaissance vehicles typically mount either a 40mm HK GMG automatic grenade launcher or a Rheinmetall MG3 machine gun. Dutch variants use a 12.7mm M2HB machine gun as the primary weapon. Specialized versions include the Medium Range Anti-Tank (MRAT) variant, which carries Spike missiles, and the Stinger Weapon Platform (SWP), which features four surface-to-air missiles for mid-range air defense. Other specialized configurations include Joint Fire Support Team (JFST), combat engineer, and mortar transporter variants.

The Fennek is operated by the German Army, the Royal Netherlands Army, the Qatari Emiri Land Force, and the Ukrainian Armed Forces. It saw combat during the War in Afghanistan as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). In 2007, a Dutch Fennek was destroyed by an improvised explosive device in Uruzgan province. In another engagement, a German Fennek was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade; while the hollow charge jet penetrated the hull, the vehicle's internal spall liner limited crew injuries. The vehicle has also been deployed during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, where a unit was recorded as destroyed during the Kursk campaign in January 2025.

🇩🇪 Germany • 🇳🇱 Netherlands • 🇶🇦 Qatar • 🇹🇷 Turkey • 🇺🇦 Ukraine