German Fennek Reconnaissance Vehicles To Be Modified In Euro 88 Million Contract

The Dutch DMO (Defence Materiel Organisation) has ordered EUR 88 million ($99.8 million) worth modification of 30 Fennek reconnaissance vehicles to JFST (Joint Fire Support Team) status for the German Army.

The Dutch DMO responsible for the bilateral Fennek program ordered the contract on behalf of German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment (BAAINBw).

The contract includes retrofitting to the latest configuration state in the versions Forward Artillery Observer and Forward Air Controller, as well as replacing obsolete component assemblies and the corresponding software adjustments.

The Fennek scout cars will be retrofitted to the Fennek JFST 1A3+ variant between 2018 and 2022 and then transferred back to the German Armed Forces.

The Fennek armed reconnaissance vehicle, produced by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) of Kassel, Germany and SP Aerospace and Vehicle Systems BV of The Netherlands (the ARGE Fennek consortium), has been developed for the Dutch and German Armies.

The Fennek JFST has high-performance observation equipment and a communication connection which enables voice and data radio from the air force and marines.

The system’s tasks include battlefield monitoring, target acquisition and directing fire. The Joint Fire Support Team consists of two vehicles, an artillery observer and a forward air controller.