Belgian defense company John Cockerill Defense unveiled its new concept for modernizing the Leopard 1 tanks in the Ukrainian army’s inventory at the BEDEX 2026 defense exhibition held in Brussels. The solution, exhibited from March 12–14, 2026, aims to adapt older-generation armored platforms to the modern battlefield.
Transformation with the Cockerill 3105 Turret
The company proposes integrating the Cockerill 3105 turret onto Leopard 1 tank hulls. With this modernization, the vehicle is planned to be transformed not as a conventional main battle tank but as a flexible fire support platform. It was reported that a tank equipped with this system has already been tested in Ukraine, with plans to deploy it to the frontlines.
Technical Specifications of the System
The key features of the Cockerill 3105 turret highlighted at BEDEX 2026 include:
Technology: Modern day/night targeting systems and digital battlefield connectivity.
Weapon System: 105 mm high-pressure gun compatible with NATO standard ammunition and anti-tank missiles.
Firing Capability: Ability to fire both direct and indirect (artillery-style) shots due to high gun elevation.
Crew: Three-person crew structure enabled by an automatic loading system.
Strategic Approach
Officials from John Cockerill Defense emphasize that this upgrade provides high effectiveness in urban combat and rough terrains. Moreover, the indirect fire capability, rarely seen in Western tank platforms, allows the vehicle to destroy targets from protected positions.
The project displayed at BEDEX 2026 is seen as part of a broader trend in Europe to cost-effectively modernize and reuse older armored vehicles. In addition, the company showcased next-generation technologies such as unmanned systems and anti-drone solutions at the exhibition.
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Source: C4Defence-Cockerill
