The Fennek is a German-Dutch family of armored vehicles that can be configured for numerous roles, particularly reconnaissance. It is built of all-welded steel that provides protection from small arms, shrapnel, and anti-personnel mines and has a conventional configuration of the driver seated at the front, crew compartment in the middle, and engine at the rear (the entire power pack can be removed as a single unit). All-terrain performance is enhanced thanks to selectable two- and four-wheel drive as well as a central tire inflation system. The most notable feature of the Fennek in its original reconnaissance configuration is a retractable mast which can be raised up to 1.5 m above the roof. The mast is equipped with a thermal camera, day camera, and laser rangefinder. Defensive armament consists of a remotely operated gun mount armed with either a 12.7-mm Browning machine gun or a 40-mm grenade launcher although Dutch versions can also be equipped with Spike ATGMs or Stinger SAMs. NBC protection is also provided but the Fennek is not amphibious. The Fennek entered service with the German and Dutch armies in the early 2000s and first saw action under both in support of NATO's ISAF mission in Afghanistan where they proved very effective. The only other export customer is Qatar.

The earliest prototypes of a new MultiPurpose Carrier (MPC) were completed in 1992 followed by the first of four prototypes of the definitive LGS Fennek (Leichter Gepanzerter Spähwagen or 'light armored reconnaissance vehicle' in German) design in 1996. Variants include the basic non-mission specific Fennek AD, the Fennek LVB reconnaissance vehicle, and the Fennek JFST (Joint Fire Support Team) forward observer and forward air controller vehicle. Dutch-specific versions include the Fennek MRAT (Medium Range Anti-Tank) armed with Spike ATGMs, and the Fennek SWP (Stinger Weapon Platform) armed with Stinger SAMs.