A new and formidable tank destroyer, the Fuchs JAGM, was one of the highlights at the DSEI 2025 defense exhibition in London. Developed by German Rheinmetall in partnership with American Lockheed Martin, the vehicle stands out for its exceptional firepower: armed with up to 24 missiles capable of engaging a wide range of targets.
This project reflects a renewed global interest in anti-tank warfare platforms, partly influenced by lessons from intense combat in Ukraine.
The vehicle is based on the modernized version of the Fuchs armored personnel carrier, a proven design dating back to the 1970s. The main innovation lies in its vertical launch system, consisting of six quadruple modules. These launchers use technology similar to that employed on attack helicopters and warships, ejecting the missiles before their engines ignite. The platform can be equipped with JAGM or Hellfire missiles, both with a standard range of approximately 8 km, extending to over 16 km with the JAGM-MR (Medium Range) variant.
The main advantage of the JAGM missile is its multimodal guidance system, combining a semi-active laser with a millimeter-wave radar. This allows “fire-and-forget” operations in any weather conditions and against moving targets. Target detection is handled by a set of electro-optical sensors mounted on a telescopic mast, which elevates the systems to increase the field of view. The system is designed to identify and lock on multiple targets simultaneously, promising the ability to destroy up to 24 tanks in rapid succession without the need to reload.
Although presented as a tank destroyer, the system is versatile, able to engage aerial targets in certain scenarios, as well as destroy artillery positions, patrol boats, and fortified structures. The choice of a wheeled chassis, cheaper and more agile than tracked vehicles, facilitates rapid deployment across large fronts. For Lockheed Martin, this represents a strategic opportunity to introduce the JAGM missile into the European market.
With tests scheduled for the second half of 2026, the industry expects that the renewed focus on armored defense, especially in Europe, will generate strong interest in this massive, on-demand fire platform.
Source: The War Zone | Photo: LinkedIn – Rheinmetall | This content was created with AI assistance and reviewed by the editorial team
