Germany has begun a $200 million project to develop a replacement for their 30 year old Marder IFV. The new vehicle, called the Igel (Hedgehog) and replaces an earlier proposal (the Panther) that would have cost more ($286 million just to develop) and would not be ready until 2008. The Igel will be ready for production in 2005. The Germans need 400 Igels to replace their aging Marders. The Igel will be light enough to be transported in the new A400M air transports and will be designed to provide a lot of crew protection against mines.