General Facts

TYPE
Mechanized infantry combat vehicle

ORIGIN
Germany

NICKNAMES
-

DESIGNED
1960 - 1971

DESIGNER
Rheinstahl group

PRODUCTION
1971 - 1975

PRODUCERS
Germany - Kraus Maffei Wegmann

QUANTITY
2.136

UNIT COST
Unknown

CHARACTERISTICS
High level of protection
Good firepower
Non-stabilized armamaent
Average speed

Introduction

The Marder is a mechanized infantry fighting vehicles of German origin. It was designed in the 1960's to replace the HS-30 in German service, which showed poor performance. Marder is German for marten and fits in with the tradition of naming armored vehicles after cat-like animals. The Marder was continuously upgraded over time and was one of the main combat vehicles opposing the Soviet forces in Europe during the Cold War.

Layout

The Marder shares many components with the Jagdpanzer Kanone and Jaguar, from which the chassis was derived. The layout is conventional with the engine at the front and the driver on the left. In the middle the recessed turret is fitted which houses the gunner and the commander. The troop compartment at the rear has six seats facing outwards.

Firepower

The Marder is fitted with a recessed two man turret, which almost classifies as an overhead weapon system. A 20mm Rh-202 autocannon is fitted. At first these were single feed, but the dual feed option was added and allows for easy switching between armor piercing and high explosive rounds. A MG3 machine gun is mounted coaxially. From his hatch the commander is able to fire the pedestal mounted manpack Milan anti-tank missile. Early models had a remote controlled MG3 at the troop compartment.

Protection

The steel armor protects the crew against everything up to and including 14.5mm rounds fired from point blank range. All Marders were subsequently upgraded with additional armor to protect against bomblets and the 30x165mm rounds fired by the BMP-2. The latest upgrades improve survivability against mines. An NBC system is fitted, as well as six smoke grenade launchers.

Mobility

The tracked chassis makes the Marder very mobile, which is necessary as the Marder was to accompany the Leopard 1 and 2 main battle tanks on the battlefield. A 600hp diesel engine provides propulsion. The Marder is not amphibious.

Users

The main user of the Marder is the German army. A reduced number remains in use today. Recently surplus vehicles were sold to Chile. The Marder has seen combat service in Afghanistan.

Marder 1

The original Marder 1 came in various versions, each with a number of minor improvements. Over time all Marder 1's were upgraded to a single type called the Marder 1A2. The upgrades include dual feed for the 20mm autocannon, night vision equipment, improved radios, improved sighting system, removal of the remote controlled MG3 over the crew compartment, remodeled interior and improved suspension. The Marder 1A3 is a major upgrade over the previous models. The armor has been improved significantly and external stowage has been added. This makes the firing ports no longer useable. The Marder 1A4 is similar to the A3, but has been fitted with an improved radio. A small batch of Marders have been upgraded to the A5 standard. This latest version of the Marder has improved mine protection and a remodeled interior which provides a much better protection against shock, blast and spalling.

Specifications:
Marder 1
Marder 1A3

Type	Mechanized infantry combat vehicle
Crew	3 + 6 (commander, driver, gunner, 6 infantry)
Length	6.79 m
Width	3.24 m
Height	2.99 m (turret top)
Ground clearance	0.44
Weight	28.2 t unloaded, 29.2 t combat load
Ground pressure	0.83 kg/cm2
Wheelbase	Tracked chassis, 6 roadwheels, drive sprocket front, idler rear, 3.9 m length, 0.45 m width, 2.62 m track
Turn radius	6.5 m
Engine	MTU MB 833 Ea-500 V6 diesel, 600 hp at 2.200 rpm

Power ratio	20.6 hp/t
Transmission	HSWL 194 planetary, 4 forward, 2 reverse
Speed	75 km/h
Fuel	652 L
Range	520 km
Wall	1 m
Trench	2.5 m
Gradient	60% gradient, 30% slope
Fording	1.5 m unprepared, 2.5 m with preparation
Armor	Steel
NBC equipment	Yes

Night vision	Yes
Smoke	6x 76mm smoke grenade dischargers
Remarks	-
Armament	20mm Rh-202 autocannon 7.62mm MG3 machine gun
Weapon1	20mm Rh-202 autocannon in turret 1.250 rounds -17 to +65° elevation, 40°/s powered 360° travers, 60°/s powered non-stabilized
Weapon2	7.62mm MG3 coaxial machine gun 5.000 rounds traverse and elevation as main armament
Weapon3	-
Weapon4	-
Weapon5	-
Weapon6	-

Type	Mechanized infantry combat vehicle
Crew	3 + 6 (commander, driver, gunner, 6 infantry)
Length	6.88 m
Width	3.38 m
Height	3.02 m (turret top)
Ground clearance	0.46
Weight	29.9 t unloaded, 33.5 t combat load
Ground pressure	0.94 kg/cm2
Wheelbase	Tracked chassis, 6 roadwheels, drive sprocket front, idler rear, 3.9 m length, 0.45 m width, 2.62 m track
Turn radius	6.5 m
Engine	MTU MB 833 Ea-500 V6 diesel, 600 hp at 2.200 rpm

Power ratio	17.9 hp/t
Transmission	HSWL 194 planetary, 4 forward, 2 reverse
Speed	65 km/h
Fuel	652 L
Range	500 km
Wall	1 m
Trench	2.5 m
Gradient	60% gradient, 30% slope
Fording	1.5 m unprepared, 2.0 m with preparation
Armor	Steel
NBC equipment	Yes

Night vision	Yes
Smoke	6x 76mm smoke grenade dischargers
Remarks	-
Armament	20mm Rh-202 autocannon 7.62mm MG3 machine gun Milan missile launcher
Weapon1	20mm Rh-202 autocannon in turret 1.250 rounds -17 to +65° elevation, 40°/s powered 360° travers, 60°/s powered non-stabilized
Weapon2	7.62mm MG3 coaxial machine gun 5.000 rounds traverse and elevation as main armament
Weapon3	Milan missile launcher on turret 5 missiles, 1 round ready to fire manual traverse and elevation non-stabilized
Weapon4	-
Weapon5	-
Weapon6	-