Ukraine may take another step in modernizing its Leopard 1 tank fleet by adopting the Cockerill 3105 turrets developed by the Belgian company Cockerill.
A contract for the supply of 30 units is expected to be signed soon, with the first deliveries scheduled for mid-2027.
Ukrainian interest is linked to the reliability of the Leopard 1 chassis, which is considered robust because it uses mechanical and hydraulic systems rather than relying heavily on electronic components. In contrast, the tank’s original turrets are viewed as outdated, as they are based on a design developed several decades ago.
During demonstrations conducted since 2025, the C3105 turret has shown significant improvements over the original model. Among its highlights is the ability to engage targets at distances of up to 10 kilometers from protected positions, taking advantage of its greater elevation angles. In addition, the system is approximately three tons lighter, freeing up weight capacity for additional armor, electronic warfare systems, and anti-drone protection.
The upgraded Leopard 1 tanks also receive advanced sensors capable of detecting targets at long ranges both day and night. The turret incorporates a 105 mm gun compatible with the ammunition already used by the tank and can launch the Falarik anti-tank missile, significantly increasing the platform’s combat power. Some units are already being evaluated in real-world operations, providing data for a possible large-scale adoption.
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Source: Militarnyi | Photos: X @Jeff21461 | Screenshots from YouTube @JohnCockerillGroup | This content was created with the assistance of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
