The Jaguar is a tracked tank destroyer of German origin. Since 1966 the HS-30 tank destroyers were replaced by the Jagdpanzer Rakete, which in turn was developed into the Jaguar in the 1980's. The Jaguar was intended for use in the large scale armored combat anticipated during the Cold War. The Jaguar is one of the largest and best armored guided missile tank destroyers ever developed.

The chassis of the Jagdpanzer is very similar to those used on the Jagdpanzer Kanone and Marder. The Jaguar uses a crew of four, which are seated in the fighting compartment in the front. The missile launcher is mounted on the roof and the drive train is placed in the rear.

The original Jagdpanzer Rakete was armed with two individual SS-11 launchers that could be used out to 3 km. The Jaguar 1 is armed with a single K3S launcher for firing HOT missiles up to 4 km. The Jaguar 2 uses a pedestal mounted TOW missile launcher for use up to 3.75 km. Additionally one or more MG3 machine guns are fitted.

The Jaguar is operated under full armor protection, except for the Jaguar 2 in which the gunner manually operates the launcher. With the increased bolt on protection the steel armor protects the crew from 30mm autocannon fire. NBC and fire extinguishing systems are standard. A total of 8 smoke grenade dischargers are fitted.

The tracked chassis provides the Jaguar with a good cross country ability. A Daimler-Benz 500 hp diesel engine provides propulsion. The Jaguar has maximum speed of 70 km/h forward and in reverse. It is not amphibious.

A total of 370 new Jagdpanzer Rakete were ordered by Germany. Of these 316 were upgraded to Jaguar 1 standard. Austria received 90 ex-German Jaguar 1. A total of 162 Jagdpanzer Kanone were converted into Jaguar 2, which is the only version that remains in active Germany service. Since the threat of large scale armored warfare is reduced the Jaguar has lost its reason for existence and is phased out by both nations.