The Fuchs 2 armoured personnel carrier is a new version of the 6×6 Fuchs (Fox) Transportpanzer 1. It is built by German armoured tracked vehicles and turret systems manufacturer Rheinmetall Landsysteme.
Rheinmetall delivered 1,236 Fuchs 1 vehicles in a variety of mission variants. The vehicles are in service with the German Army and the armed forces of Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, the UK, the US, and Venezuela. The Fuchs has been in operational service with German Kosovo Force (KFOR) troops in Kosovo and Macedonia. Trials of the Fuchs 2 began in 2001.
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Orders and deliveries of Fuchs 2
In February 2005, the United Arab Emirates placed an order for 32 Fuchs NBC (Nuclear, Biological and Chemical) reconnaissance vehicles which are based on the Fuchs 2.
The UAE armed forces unveiled the Fuchs/Fox 2 BIO reconnaissance system (Fuchs/Fox 2 BIO-RS), Fuchs/Fox NBC-RS, and Fuchs/Fox 2 command post system (Fuchs/Fox 2 NBC-CPS), and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) reconnaissance variants of Fuchs 2 at the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) 2013 in Abu Dhabi.
In October 2007, the US Army placed a contract for the upgrade of an initial 18 of its fleet of 123 Fuchs (Fox) vehicles to the Fuchs 2 NBC configuration. The German Army also upgraded its Fuchs vehicles.
In February 2013, Rheinmetall received a €37m ($50.46m) contract from the German Army to supply seven Fuchs/Fox KAI vehicles. The German Bundeswehr received the fourth Fuchs KAI vehicle in May 2020.
The UK Ministry of Defence signed a contract worth €17.5m ($20.5m) with Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) for the upgrade and maintenance of the UK Army’s fleet of Fuchs/Fox CBRN reconnaissance vehicles in October 2020. The contract also includes the procurement of training simulators.
Rheinmetall received a follow up order worth €250m ($294.2m) from an undisclosed customer to supply kits for the Fuchs 2 vehicle in August 2021. The order also includes an initial supply of spare parts. The deliveries are expected to be made between 2021 and 2023.
Fuchs 2 APC specifications
The Fuchs 2 has a maximum combat weight of 20,000kg and is fully amphibious. The main improved features incorporated into the Fuchs 2 are the integration of a more powerful, low emission engine allowing a payload increase of 4t to a total of 9.4t, depending on the version. The drive and brakes have been upgraded to match the higher power and weight performance.
The height of the rear crew compartment has been increased by 145mm and roof-mounted air louvres have been installed. Other improvements include the digital onboard system to CAN-Standard SAE J 1939 and a central tyre inflation system.
The cabin is sufficiently large with 10.5m³ stowage capacity to accommodate a range of mission systems. The family of Fuchs 2 vehicles includes an NBC protection vehicle, reconnaissance, C4I (command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence), C3I (command, control, communications, and intelligence), mortar carrier, and an electronic warfare vehicle.
Fuchs 2 weapons systems
The Fuchs 2 can be fitted with a range of weapon systems including a Rheinmetall E8 turret or Rheinmetall low weight RLS 609 weapon station. The E8 turret can be armed with missiles, a 30mm cannon and a 7.62mm machine gun.
The RLS 609 station can be fitted with a 12.7mm machine gun or 40mm grenade launcher for self-defence against soft or light armoured vehicles and hostile airborne systems. The RLS 609 provides low noise levels during firing and minimum carbon monoxide concentrations.
A remote controlled RLS 609 is equipped with a CCD camera, liquid crystal display monitor and joystick control for operation of the weapon systems from within the vehicle.
Self-protection
The armour steel monocoque hull provides all-round 360° protection against 7.62mm armour piercing (AP) rounds at 0° obliquity.
Window glass and vision blocks provide the same level of protection as the hull. Armour window shutters can be operated from inside the vehicle.
Add-on armour kits, supplied by IBD, provide protection against 12.7mm and 14.5mm armour piercing rounds, artillery fragments, anti-tank and anti-personnel mines (increasing vehicle weight and consequently decreasing payload). A passive armour kit over the frontal arc provides protection against 30mm armour piercing discarded sabot (APDS) rounds.
The vehicle can be fitted with an intercom and radio, driver’s and commander’s night vision system, an integrated global positioning system and vehicle navigation set.
Access to the driver’s station is via two side doors. Troops have fast access to the crew station by two outward opening rear doors or via a rear ramp door. The rear ramp is power operated. The crew and driver can also use two roof-mounted hatches.
With the optional amphibious suite, the vehicle can enter and exit water by steep banks. The rear of the vehicle is fitted with two Schottel propellers which can turn through 360° and give a water speed of 10km/h. The vehicle is also equipped with an NBC protection system.
Fuchs 2 engine
The vehicle is equipped with MTU 6V 199 TE20 diesel engine fitted with direct fuel injection, an exhaust gas turbocharger, liquid cooling, and electronic engine management system. The engine is rated 315kW at 1,800rpm.
The ZF 6 HP602 six-speed, fully automatic transmission has an integrated retarder, an STV 502 primary gearbox, and an STU 13000 secondary gearbox.
The axles on the Fuchs 2 have been upgraded to carry higher wheel loads. It is possible for the driver to activate the differential locks longitudinally and latitudinally whilst on the move. A pressure control valve on the third axle prevents axle blockage during manoeuvres involving emergency braking.
Steering is controlled via a LS7FS Daimler Chrysler gearbox and connecting steering rods to the first two axles. The 14.00 – 20 radial tyres can be optionally fitted with run flat capability. A central tyre inflation system (CTIS) ensures the Fuchs 2 retains mobility in the event of damage to one or all tyres.
The fuel system includes two bullet-proof, self-sealing rubber bladder tanks installed in the sides of the welded hull in armour steel housings.
The vehicle has a 24V electrical system with four 200Ah batteries and a 6.5kW generator. The CAN standard SAE J 1939 digital electrical system provides vehicle status data and details of component failure to the driver information system.
Fuchs KAI vehicle
Fuchs KAI is a new variant specially equipped for detecting and clearing roadside bombs, mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). It features an extendable multi-functional arm that has two pan-and-tilt heads equipped with daylight cameras, laser finder, and thermal imager.
Furthermore, the extendable arm can be used to carry out rescue operations in hazardous areas.
The combat weight of the vehicle is 23.6t, while the manipulator arm can withstand a load of up to 400kg. The rated engine output is 320hp.
