Dutch Fennek midlife upgrade includes new targeting sensor
Lafettenadaptierbares Zielgerät 400 thermal imaging system. (Photo: Rheinmetall)
Retrofit enhances reconnaissance and target engagement capabilities for Fennek.
Rheinmetall announced on 3 August that it is adding a new gun carriage-adaptable aiming device to Fennek armoured reconnaissance vehicles in service with the Royal Netherlands Army.
Krauss-Maffei Wegmann placed a €36 million order for 246 Lafettenadaptierbares Zielgerät 400 (LaZ400) devices from Rheinmetall Electronics. Deliveries are due for completion in 2027 as part of a midlife upgrade programme for the Dutch Fennek fleet.
A glance at Shephard Defence Insight various ageing platforms in the Royal Netherlands Army inventory. For example, the Fuchs 1 is a design from the 1980s, Fennek was created in the 1990s and the PzH 2000 and Bushmaster were developed in the 2000s.
The LaZ400 replaces the existing thermal imaging system on Fennek. The Royal Netherlands Army will mount the LaZ400 on the 1530-type gun carriage on the vehicle.
The latest order brings to more than 2,700 the number of LaZ family devices in military use. LaZ400 is already used by the German Army in its FLW200 remotely controlled weapon station. ‘Its colour daylight sensor, thermal imaging sensor and laser rangefinder enable outstanding reconnaissance performance around the clock as well as precise engagement of targets,’ Rheinmetall claimed.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![AUSA 2025: Hanwha Aerospace reveals new wheeled artillery system]()
AUSA 2025: Hanwha Aerospace reveals new wheeled artillery system
The aerospace company showed a model of its new mobile howitzer at AUSA in Washington, where a representative told Shephard more about its design.
-
![AUSA 2025: Lionstrike lays out plans for British Army vehicle bid as competitors get ready]()
AUSA 2025: Lionstrike lays out plans for British Army vehicle bid as competitors get ready
In September 2025, BAE Systems announced that it was joining GM Defense and NP Aerospace to form Team Lionstrike. The team will be offering a version of GM Defense’s infantry support vehicle which is based on the commercial Colorado vehicle.
-
![AUSA 2025: KNDS France to bid for US Army requirement]()
AUSA 2025: KNDS France to bid for US Army requirement
The CAESAR Mk II, which was debuted internationally at Eurosatory last year, is a step up from the first model which has seen combat in Ukraine and the Middle East.
