Belgium secretly tests Leopard 1 robot hybrid tank in Ukraine

Belgium is set to transfer its advanced Leopard 1A5BE main battle tank, equipped with an unmanned, automated Cockerill 3105 turret, to Ukraine for testing. The move could signal a new approach to reviving older armored platforms for modern warfare. Photo: @EDR Magazine.

The initiative, led by Belgian defense company John Cockerill Defense, aims to evaluate and improve the tank's performance in modern warfare conditions, providing Ukraine with a cost-effective, combat-effective upgrade of its armored forces. Photo: @EDR Magazine.

Belgium’s decision to send its Leopard 1A5BE main battle tanks equipped with the advanced Cockerill 3105 unmanned turret for testing in Ukraine reflects both technological ambition and geopolitical strategy, as Western allies continue to bolster Ukraine’s military capabilities with new, innovative military solutions. Photo: @EDR Magazine.

The Leopard 1A5BE, a German-designed variant of the Leopard 1 main battle tank, has a long history dating back to the Cold War. First introduced by Krauss-Maffei in 1965 for the West German Army, the Leopard 1 was designed to counter Soviet tanks, with a focus on mobility and firepower. Photo: @DEFENCE ReDEFiNED.

The tank chassis is light, the vehicle weighs about 40 tons, allowing it to reach speeds of up to 65 km/h on the road. This tank is equipped with a 10-cylinder MTU MB 838 Ca-M diesel engine that produces up to 830 horsepower. Photo: @MilitaryLeak.

Its original armament was the Royal Ordnance L7A3 105mm rifled gun, which was extremely effective against Cold War-era armor, capable of firing a wide range of NATO standard ammunition, including armor-piercing rounds. Photo: @ MilitaryLeak.

The Leopard 1 tank was widely used in NATO and allied countries, with more than 6,000 produced, serving in countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands and Canada until the end of the 20th century. Photo: @Infodefensa.

And the 1A5BE version is specifically designed for the Belgian army, integrating upgrades such as the SABCA fire control system and passive thermal imaging system, which helps increase aiming accuracy and enhance night combat capabilities compared to previous versions. Photo: @EDR Magazine.

The highlight of this modernized Leopard 1A5BE version is the Cockerill 3105 turret. This is an extremely advanced unmanned internal weapons station, developed by Belgian defense company John Cockerill Defense, which integrates an automatic loading system capable of holding 12 to 16 rounds. Photo: @EDR Magazine.

The turret is equipped with a 105mm high-pressure rifled gun of NATO standard, which can fire both conventional 105mm shells and Falarick 105 laser-guided anti-tank missiles, designed to engage modern armored targets, light vehicles and even low-flying helicopters. Photo: @EDR Magazine.

The Cockerill 3105 turret’s digital fire control system, combined with a highly stabilized day and night sighting system, provides a high probability of hitting the first shot, even when the tank is on the move. Additional features include a 360-degree external camera, eight smoke grenade launchers, and a gunshot detection system, which enhance situational awareness and survivability on the battlefield. Photo: @ War Heritage Institute.

The turret's ballistic aluminum construction provides protection up to STANAG 4569 Level 5 against automatic cannon fire, but is vulnerable to heavier weapons such as 125mm tank guns. Weighing in at around 5.2 tonnes, the turret reduces the overall weight of the tank by around 5 tonnes compared to the original version, improving maneuverability on the battlefield and reducing stress on the chassis. Photo: @Infodefensa.

The turret has seen commercial success, with over 100 units in service globally, including on Indonesia's Harimau light tank, in a joint project with Türkiye. Photo: @Army Recognition.

The Leopard 1A5BE demonstrator with the Cockerill 3105 turret was first shown at the Eurosatory 2022 defence exhibition in Paris, where it has already undergone successful firing tests. During a live demonstration in December 2023 at France's Camp de Suippes, the Leopard 1A5BE impressed military delegations with its accuracy and integration. Photo: @Army Recognition.

Ukraine’s interest in the modernized Leopard 1A5BE comes at a crucial moment in its defense against Russian forces. Since Russia began its offensive in February 2022, Ukraine has relied heavily on Western-supplied tanks, including more than 100 Leopard 1 tanks in various configurations, mainly sourced from Germany and other European partners. Photo: @Infodefensa.

These tanks have been used in counterattacks, such as the Kharkiv campaign in 2022, where the tank's mobility allowed Ukraine to carry out rapid flanking maneuvers against strategic Russian positions. Photo: @War Thunder.

Belgium’s initiative to supply its modern Leopard 1A5BE main battle tank, equipped with an unmanned, automated Cockerill 3105 turret, to Ukraine for testing comes from an extremely complex logistical and economic context. Belgium had already retired its Leopard 1A5BE fleet in 2014, selling most of the vehicles to private companies such as OIP Systems for as little as €10,000 to €15,000 each. Photo: @DefesaNet.

OIP Systems, which keeps around 20 of these tanks in warehouses in Tournai and Antwerp, is said to have asked for up to €500,000 per tank for resale, a price that has been criticised as unreasonable, given the tank's non-operational condition. Photo: @World Defence News.

However, Belgian defense company John Cockerill Defense has overcome this barrier, and has refurbished the Leopard 1A5BE, equipping it with an automated, unmanned turret inside the extremely advanced Cockerill 3105. Photo: @ RTBF.

Now, the decision to test the Leopard 1A5BE with the Cockerill 3105 turret in Ukraine reflects a new strategic calculation. For Ukraine, the tank offers an opportunity to evaluate a platform that combines a familiar chassis with modern firepower, potentially reducing the maintenance and training burden compared to newer systems such as the Leopard 2 or M1 Abrams. Photo: @ MILMAG.

The 105mm gun used in the Cockerill 3105 turret, while less powerful than the 120mm or 125mm guns on modern main battle tanks, is still effective against older Russian platforms such as the T-72B, which Ukraine regularly encounters. Photo: @Junsupreme.

However, integrating the Cockerill 3105 turret into Ukraine’s Leopard 1A5BE armoured vehicle fleet poses a number of challenges. The country is already struggling to source spare parts for the Leopard 1, a problem exacerbated by disruptions in global supply chains. This could further strain Ukraine’s existing logistical problems. Photo: @ John Cockerill Defense.

Geopolitically, Belgium’s move cements its role as a contributor to Ukraine’s defense, following in the footsteps of NATO allies such as Germany, which has supplied Leopard 1s and 2s, and the United States, which has supplied M1 Abrams tanks. The initiative also serves as a showcase for John Cockerill Defense, as the defense company seeks to expand the market for its Cockerill 3105 turret platform. Photo: @Defense Update.

Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/bi-bi-mat-thu-nghiem-xe-tang-leopard-1-lai-robot-o-ukraine-post1542165.html