Fuchs was the second wheeled armoured vehicle to enter service with the Bundeswehr (West German military).

It introduced improved protection against mines and IEDs, specially for German units stationed in Afghanistan.

Late in 2013, it was stated that, in the long term, the German Army planned to retain a fleet of up to 728 Fuchs 1 upgraded to TPz A8 standard.

In 2005, the first order for Fuchs 2 was for Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) reconnaissance variants for the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Motive power for the Fuchs 1 is provided by a Mercedes-Benz Model OM 402A V8 12.8-litre water-cooled diesel engine, with 320 hp (240 kW).

In the Fuchs 2, the powerpack is upgraded to a MTU 6V 199 TE20 V6 11.9-litre water-cooled EURO 3 emissions compliant diesel[9] producing 456 hp (340 kW).

The rigid Mercedes-Benz drive axles are of the hub-reduction type, fitted with differential locks and are sprung by progressively acting coil springs and shock-absorbers.

Before entering the water, a trim vane, which is stowed on the glacis plate when travelling, is hydraulically erected.

As part of the TPz A8 upgrade, the amphibious capability is removed, but the vehicles can wade up to 1.3 m. The welded steel hull of the Fuchs was designed to protect the crew from armor-piercing small arms fire and shell splinters.

For service with the United Nations Implementation Force (IFOR) operating in Bosnia, a higher level of protection was required and a batch of Fuchs 1 were upgraded with passive fibre compound add-on armour package developed by IBD-Deisenroth.

This armour package includes an add-on armour mounted externally on the sides of the hull; internal spall liners fitted to the hull sides, rear and roof to reduce the secondary effects of particles having penetrated the main armour; additional elements in the floor area of the front and rear compartments to provide increased protection against mines; new windows with increased protection and modification of the window protective shields.

For the TPz A7 and A8 upgrades, additional elements protect the underside and lower part of the hull against blast and IED threats.

To meet different threat levels, the Fuchs 2 has been designed to be fitted with enhanced passive armour packages developed by IBD.

To enhance survivability while conducting Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT), Rheinmetall has developed a modular upgrade package for installation on tracked and wheeled armoured vehicles.

Vehicles deployed to Afghanistan were equipped with a GMG grenade launcher or an M2 Browning heavy machine gun instead of an MG3.