Transportpanzer 1 Fuchs

   The Transportpanzer 1, or Fuchs (Fox), was developed to be an armored amphibious load carrier utilizing commercially available components wherever possible. Following extensive trials with prototype vehicles the main production run was carried out by Thyssen Heinschel from 1979 onwards. From is origins as a load carrier the fully amphibious Tpz 1 has been modified to meet many other requirements, one being as an APC capable of carrying up to 14 troops seated individually in the load compartment (the German Army limits the number of troops carried to ten).

   As a load carrier the vehicle can carry nearly 3 tonnes of supplies under armor, with this version being convertible to an armored ambulance when necessary. However the Transportpanzer 1 has been adapted for many other purposes. The German Army alone uses the Tpz 1 as a RASIT battlefield surveillance radar carrier, combat engineer carrier, electronic warfare vehicle (without the amphibious capability), command and communications centre, an explosive ordnance disposal vehicle for the German Air Force, and an NBC reconnaissance vehicle. Other nations use the later variant, including Israel and most of the NATO countries.

   The US Army has adopted the NBC vehicle as the M93 Fox and reportedly has over 300 examples.

   Other export variants of the Transportpanzer 1 include an 81-mm mortar carrier, a 120-mm mortar tractor, a general purpose armored support vehicle, and an IFV version mounting a 20- or 25-mm cannon in an external mounting on the roof. Customers (apart from the NBC version) include Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Netherlands and Venezuela. The armament carried varies according to the role and user nation. Most carrier versions are limited to a single 7.62-mm machine gun, but other models may have various 12.7-mm MG or 20-mm cannon installations in small turrets of external weapon stations.

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