The Fuchs was designed as a highly mobile multi-role armored vehicle for the Bundeswehr. Production began in 1979 by Thyssen-Henschel; the vehicle on display at the Panzermuseum is a 1969 prototype developed by Porsche.

The Fuchs has a 6x6 suspension supporting a fully armored hull that completely encloses the crew and passengers. It has doors at the rear of the passenger compartment, plus a door in each side of the driver’s compartment. The driver’s compartment features a wide windshield that is covered with an armored shutter hinged at the top.

Power is provided to all six wheels by a 320hp Diesel v8 engine. The two front axles provide steering, and two propellers mounted under the hull rear provide propulsion in the water for amphibious operation.

• The vehicle has numerous variants, including:
• Armored Pesonnel Carrier
• Field ambulance
• Engineer Command Post and Reconnaissance
• Electronic Warfare
• Battlefield Surveillance Radar vehicle
• NBC Reconnaissance vehicle, designated Fox and equipped with an NBC detection and warning system (note: 50 of these vehicles were given to the US Army during the Gulf War and designated the M93)

996 Transportpanzer Fuchs and its variants were delivered to the Bundeswehr from 1979 to 1986.