Marder 1 IFV The Marder 1 IFV is based on a special tracked chassis originally developed in the early 1960s to create a common platform for a whole host of armoured vehicles of which an IFV was only one component. First delivered in 1970, the Marder 1 was produced by two companies, Rheinstahl and MaK, with final production totals reaching 3,111 in 1975 when manufacture of the IFV ceased. Over the years the Marder 1 underwent numerous updates, resulting in a Marder 1 Al, then 1 A1A and 1A2, and finally with 1 A3. All existing models are being modified up to the latter state which involves extra frontal armour, the full provision of night vision devices, changes
Germany to roof hatch arrangements, and other details such as the provision of stowage boxes along the sides. Also involved are suspension changes as the latest modifications increased the Marder 1 A3 weight to some 35 tonnes, making it one of the largest and heaviest of all IFVs (and probably the most expensive) - more enhancement programmes are forecast. Yet the number of troops carried in the troop compartment at the rear is only five or six, even if a MILAN ATGW launcher and reload missiles are included. Even so, Marder 1 is a formidable vehicle almost resembling a tank but armed with an externally mounted 20 mm cannon and a coaxial 7.62 mm MG over a two-man
turret; the hull superstructure armour is well sloped to add protection. Throughout its life the Marder 1 has been the basis for several variants but only a few have been accepted for German Army service. One is a Roland airdefence system based on the same chassis while another has been converted to carry a battlefield surveillance radar antennae on a rising hydraulic arm. A driver training tank with the turret replaced by a fixed superstructure for the instructor is in service. There was a programme to produce a simplified Marder 1 IFV in Argentina this is described in a separate section (VCTP-qv).
