John Cockerill Defense displayed a Leopard 1 tank with a 3105 turret at Eurosatory 2022. (Janes/Sonny Butterworth)
John Cockerill Defense displayed a Leopard 1 tank with a 3105 turret at the Eurosatory 2022 defence exhibition held in Paris from 13–17 June.
The turret is armed with a NATO-standard Cockerill 105 mm high-pressure gun with a -10/+42° elevation and a 12–16 round autoloader.
John Cockerill Defense CEO Simon Haye told Janes on 23 June, “We have the possibility to add different systems depending on customer requirements thanks to our open digital architecture.” In the case of anti-tank guided missiles, he said this included the launchers for the Spike and Missile Moyenne Portée (MMP) medium-range missile, which MBDA renamed Akeron MP before Eurosatory.
In addition to a 7.62 mm co-axial machine gun, the secondary armament can include a pintle-mounted 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm machine gun, or a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher.
The autoloader reduces turret crew members to two sharing identical commander/gunner sights to operate in hunter-killer mode. There is also a stabilised day/night sight and external cameras providing 360° coverage.
The welded aluminium turret provides up to Level 5 NATO Standardization Agreement (STANAG) 4569 ballistic protection. The turret also has eight smoke grenade launchers, with the possibility of integrating various Rafael active defence systems and acoustic gunshot detection systems offered by Thales and other companies.
A Cockerill representative told Janes at Eurosatory 2022 that the turret can be installed in the large number of Leopard 1s around the world. This would take advantage of low-cost spares, 105 mm ammunition available worldwide, and low maintenance costs, according to the information board next to the Leopard 1 with the 3105 turret at Eurosatory.
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