The Marder ("Marten")was the first infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) designed and fielded by a NATO army. It was based around a chassis developed by various German and Swiss companies that was also used for the Jadgpanzer Kanone tank destroyer and Jagdpanzer Rakete ATGM platform. As a troop carrier, the Marder has a conventional NBC-protected crew and troop layout (capable of carrying six fully equipped troops), with the latter being able to dismount through a rear ramp. Armor is of all-welded steel and can protect against small arms and shrapnel, while the frontal armor is thick enough to defend against 20-mm. Armament is composed of a two-man turret housing a 20-mm autocannon, as well as a unique remotely-operated 7.92-mm machine gun above the troop compartment. Some have been fitted with a MILAN missile launcher as well. Although the Marder has no amphibious capability (a kit was developed for it), it can ford to a depth of 1.5 meters without preparation. The Marder's combat service has been limited to various engagements in Afghanistan, almost four decades after its initial introduction. Export orders have been received only by Chile and Indonesia. In German Army service, the Marder is being gradually phased out in favor of the Puma IFV.

The first prototypes of what became the Marder, were built between 1961 and 1963 but a pause in development delayed further testing until later in the decade and first deliveries to the German Army took place only until 1968. A series of upgrades took place since the late 1970s, resulting in the Marder 1A1(+) with more ammunition and night-vision systems but at the cost of one less infantryman as a result of the MILAN missile launcher. The Marder 1A1(-) is identical except for the lack of a thermal pointer while the Marder 1 A1A includes existing units not fitted with passive vision equipment. The Marder 1A2 is an upgrade with substantial mechanical improvements as well as new thermal imaging sights. This was then followed by the Marder 1A3 which featured a new passive armor package to defend against the 30-mm cannon of the Soviet BMP-2. A few of these have subsequently been enhanced with additional mine protection, and are known as the Marder 1A5. The chassis of the Marder has also been used as a Roland SAM system, and has also served as the basis for the TAM medium tank built for Argentina.