Designed as a private venture by Panhard for the export market, the ERC 90 Sagaie and Lynx became a highly successful series of armored reconnaissance vehicles in both French Army service as well as abroad. The hull of the ERC 90 is of welded steel providing small arms and shrapnel support, its V-shaped floor is also useful to protect against obstacles and mines. The turret varies depending on the particular version of the vehicle but in all cases features a relatively powerful 90-mm gun, making it very useful as a fast fire-support platform; in particular, the Sagaie is capable of firing not only HEAT rounds but also APFSDS. Equipment varies between the two main types, the latter featuring more advanced sights including a laser rangefinder. Due to its origin as an export vehicle, NBC and amphibious capability is optional, although in both cases it is standard for French Army units. The ERC 90 is the standard armored car for the French Rapid Deployment Force thanks to it being air transportable by C.160 and C-130s. It is also used by the armies of Argentina, Chad, Gabon, Côte d'Ivoire, Mexico (it's second largest user besides France) and Nigeria, seeing combat in Côte d'Ivoire, Mali as well as the Falklands.

The ERC series was developed in the mid 1970s and was offered for export before being adopted by the French Army in 1980. Initial production orders were for the ERC 90 F1 Lynx for use by Argentina and Mexico. French Army procurement focused on the ERC 90 F4 Sagaie, armed with a more powerful 90-mm gun with APFSDS rounds, capable of penetrating the armor of contemporary Soviet tanks. A slightly larger version with twin engines and an improved turret is known as the Sagaie 2 but this was only adopted by Gabon. Other variants include mortar carriers as well as vehicles with different turret configurations.