Jaguar 2 Tank Destroyer

The Raketenjagdpanzer 4 Jaguar 2 was a German tank destroyer equipped with anti-tank guided missiles. It was only operated by the Bundeswehr. From 1983 to 1985, 162 Kanonenjagdpanzers were converted to Raketenjagdpanzer 4 Jaguar 2. This was done by removing the main gun, and adding a TOW launcher on the roof and applique armour as well. In 1989 the TOW missiles were replaced by the more potent TOW 2. In 1993 the Jaguar 2 tank destroyers were phased out in favour for the Jaguar 1A3, an upgraded version of the Jaguar 1.

The Jaguar 2 is a tank destroyer which follows the traditional casemate design of German tank destroyers. It is a pretty light vehicle based on the "leichte Fahrzeugfamilie"-chassis, which was also used by the SPz Marder and the Jaguar 1. It is an all-welded steel construction, which has maximum thickness of 50 mm.

Jaguar 2
Type	Tank destroyer
Place of origin	West Germany
Service history
In service	1965 - 1993
Used by	West Germany
Production history
Manufacturer	Henschel and Hanomag
Produced	1983 - 1985
Number built	162
Specifications
Weight	24.8
Length	6.61
Width	3.12
Height	2.55
Crew	4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver)
Armor	50 mm steel + applique armour
Main armament	1 x manually reloaded TOW launcher, 12 missiles
Secondary armament	1 x 7.62mm MG3 machine guns 8 x smoke discharger
Engine	29,4 liter MTU MB 837 Aa V8 water-cooled multi-fuel diesel-engine 500 hp (368 kW)
Suspension	torsion bar
Operational range	400 km
Speed	70 km/h

Protection

The base armour is formed by the Kanonenjagdpanzer chassis. It was made of welded steel and had a thickness of 10 to 50 mm steel. When the Kanonenjagdpanzers were upgraded, applique armour, consisting of perforated steel plates coated in a rubber-like substance, were fastened shock-mounted on the front of the vehicle and the side of the casemate structure. Leopard-like side-skirts were also added. Further protection is provided by eight smoke dischargers, which are now installed on the glacis instead of behind the casemate. The survivability of the Jaguar 2 is still mainly relying on its low profile, high speed and long combat range, which exceeded the combat range of contemporary tanks.

Armament

The Jaguar 2 is armed with a TOW-launcher, an anti-aircraft MG3 and a MG3A1 in the hull. The TOW missile allows to fight enemy tanks on long ranges, the maximum combat range was considered to be 3750 m. In 1989 the TOW missiles were replaced by the stronger TOW-2 missiles. Twelve missiles and 2100 7.62mm rounds are stored inside the vehicle.