Krauss-Maffei Wegmann presents Fennek 4X4 Armored Vehicle at DIMDEX 2024.

At the DIMDEX 2024 expo, taking place from March 4th to 6th, with Army Recognition serving as the official media partner, German manufacturer Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) has made a significant impression among defense exhibitors and journalists on-site with the showcasing of KMW's Fennek, a 4x4 wheeled reconnaissance armored vehicle.  In 2014, Qatar ordered 32 Fennek 4x4 wheeled reconnaissance vehicles that were delivered from 2017 to 2019. 
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KMW Fennek 4X4 Armored Vehicle (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The Fennek, a collaborative creation by German firm Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Dutch Defence Vehicle Systems, saw its first pre-series prototype completed in late 1992, undergoing extensive company trials thereafter. In 2011, the Dutch Army placed an order for 410 vehicles, encompassing 202 reconnaissance, 130 MRAT medium-range antitank, and 78 general-purpose versions. Concurrently, the German army ordered 222 vehicles, including 178 for reconnaissance, 24 for combat engineers, and 20 for joint fire support teams (JFST) variants.

The Fennek boasts a distinctive design, featuring the driver's position at the front of the crew compartment, offering exceptional forward visibility through three large bulletproof windows. This design, coupled with the strategic positioning of the windscreen and side windows and a forward-placed seat, affords the driver a field of view exceeding 180°. In its reconnaissance configuration, the vehicle's rear accommodates seating for the commander and the radio operator/observer.

The vehicle's hull employs a flexible armor protection concept, consisting of all-welded aluminum armor with additional modules to protect against 7.62 mm AP small arms fire and shell splinters.

Equipped for reconnaissance duties, the Fennek includes an electrically operated gun mount, which can support a 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm machine gun or a 40 mm grenade launcher. The sighting system, based on the PERI Z17 already widely in use, allows for optional enhancements with add-on modules, such as an image intensifier. The gun mount offers full 360º traversal, with elevation adjustments ranging from -10 to +40º. Ammunition capacity includes 250 rounds for a 7.62 mm machine gun or 32 rounds for a 40 mm grenade launcher.

The vehicle is propelled by a Deutz BF6M 2013C 6-cylinder turbocharged inter-cooled diesel engine, generating 240 hp and connected to a six-speed automatic transmission with a torque converter and lock-up feature. It achieves a maximum road speed of 112 km/h and can reverse up to 23 km/h, boasting a cruising range of 1,000 km on roads and 460 km in off-road conditions.

Qatar is now equipped with the most modern combat vehicles made in Germany including the Leopard 2A7 + main battle tank, the PzH-2000 155 self-propelled howitzer on tracked armored, Dingo 2 HD 4x4 armored vehicle, and Fennek a 4x4 light reconnaissance armored vehicle.