German Bundeswehr SPz Marder (Squad and Radio) Infantry Fighting Vehicle

German Bundeswehr SPz Marder (Squad and Radio) Infantry Fighting Vehicle.

In 1971, the German Bundeswehr received the new Schützenpanzer Marder to replace earlier SPz HS 30 and MTW M113 in the armoured and mechanized Panzergrenadier battalions, respectively. A total of 2136 SPz Marder were ordered, and 2100 remain in service today. The Marder was designed as a group vehicle, it carries three crew and six motorized infantrymen who may fight mounted or dismounted. The vehicle shown here is a ROCO model of the early production Marder 1. These vehicles were repeatedly upgraded to improve their firepower, night fighting ability and survivability. Between 1977 and 1979, the Marder was fitted with a MILAN anti-tank guided missile system which may also be employed by the dismounted infantry squad.

Available Scale Model Kits

  • Marder 1
    MILAN anti-tank guided missile system added 1977–1979
  • Marder 1.A1
    Ammunition selector for the 20mm cannon, and passive night vision equipment added by 1982
  • Marder 1.A2
    Rear machine gun removed, observer’s position immediately behind the driver’s position no longer used, thermal imaging sights added, new radios – 1984–1989
    • 1:35 Tamiya
    • 1:87 ROCO 475
    • 1:87 ROCO 574 (Fahrschulpanzer, Driving School Vehicle)
  • Marder 1.A3 (1.A4 Battalion Command Vehicle)
    848 vehicles were upgraded by 1993, they received applique armour, external stowage bins, improved chassis and turrets. The remaining 1252 Marder 1.A2 will eventually be upgraded as well, and they will continue to serve well into the 21st century.
    • 1:35 Revell 03021
    • 1:72 Revell 03113
    • 1:87 ROCO 566
    • 1:87 ROCO 595 (Fahrschulpanzer, Driving School Vehicle)
    • 1:300 Heroics & Ros GM20
  • Marder 1.A5
    Improved mine protection, new track guards, MELLS ATGM system, and Barracuda camouflage system (Marder 1.A5A1).

Technical Specifications

  • Schützenpanzer Marder 1.A3 – Infantry Fighting Vehicle
  • Motor: 6-cylinder MTU MB 833 Ea-500 diesel engine, 441 kW
  • Speed: 65 km/h on roads (compared to 78 km/h of the Marder 1)
  • Range: (520 km, Marder 1)
  • Length: 6880 mm (6790 mm, Marder 1)
  • Width: 3380 mm (3240 mm, Marder 1)
  • Height: 3010 mm (2950 mm, Marder 1)
  • Weight: 33500 kg (25500 kg, Marder 1)
  • Payload: (2700 kg, Marder 1)
  • Armament: 20 mm DM 6 Autocannon, MG 3.A1
  • Crew: Commander, Gunner, Driver, and 6 Panzergrenadiers
  • Production: 1970–1975 (2136 units)

Bibliography

  • Anweiler, Karl: Rad- und Kettenfahrzeuge der Bundeswehr.
  • Denecke, Johannes: Tarnanstriche des deutschen Heeres 1914 bis heute
  • Gau, Lutz-Reiner: Deutsche Militärfahrzeuge. Bundeswehr und NVA.
  • Fahrzeug-Profile Nr. 4: Die Panzergrenadiere der Bundeswehr 1956–heute
    FLUGZEUG Publikations GmbH, Order № 9004

Historical Employment

  • Bundeswehr Panzergrenadier-Kompanie (SPz) 1972–1980 (Heeresstruktur 3)
    • Kompanie-Führungsgruppe: 1 Marder SPz
    • 1. Zug: 5 Marder SPz
    • 2. Zug: 5 Marder SPz
    • 3. Zug: 5 Marder SPz
  • Bundeswehr Panzergrenadier-Kompanie (SPz) 1980–1990 (Heeresstruktur 4)
    • Kompanie-Führungsgruppe: 1 Marder SPz
    • 1. Zug: 3 Marder SPz
    • 2. Zug: 3 Marder SPz
    • 3. Zug: 3 Marder SPz
  • Bundeswehr Panzergrenadier-Kompanie 1990–1992 (Heeresstruktur 5)
    • Kompanie-Führungsgruppe: 1 Marder SPz
    • 1. Zug: 3 Marder SPz
    • 2. Zug: 3 Marder SPz
    • 3. Zug: 3 Marder SPz
    • 4. Zug: 3 Marder SPz
  • Ukraine – 40 Marder 1.A3, 2023

Schützenpanzer Marder is a sophisticated infantry fighting vehicle capable of keeping up with fast-moving main battle tanks in any terrain. The Marder is well-armed and it provides adequate armour protection for the Panzergrenadiers inside. Its only drawback is the unusually high silhouette and the fact that the MILAN gunner needs to stand up in the turret hatch to fire the anti-tank guided missile.

Cold War Miniatures