A modernized Belgian version of the Leopard 1 equipped with the unmanned Cockerill 3105 turret and the 105-mm Cockerill HP 105 gun remains in Ukraine undergoing trials. According to the manufacturer, the tests are progressing well. The unit operating the vehicle was scheduled to deploy to the front line on Monday, March 16.
Representatives of John Cockerill shared this information with analyst Jeff21461 during the BEDEX 2026 defense exhibition in Belgium. The company is also proposing a similar upgrade for the entire Ukrainian fleet of Leopard 1 tanks.
Read more: Belgium Tests Leopard 1 with Unmanned Turret in Ukraine: Potential Modernization of Over a Hundred Tanks
According to the manufacturer, the main advantage of this configuration is the ability to conduct indirect fire from covered positions. The company claims that no other Western tank currently offers such a capability.
At 01:08 in this video, John Cockerill unveils modernized version of Leopard 1 tank with new Cockerill 3105 turret
From the perspective of Defense Express, this likely refers to the fire-control system that allows accurate engagement of targets outside the crew’s direct line of sight. The C3105 turret also increases the elevation angle of the main gun, which is important for such missions.
At the same time, virtually any tank can operate in an indirect-fire role, especially when supported by UAV spotting and battlefield management systems such as the Kropyva command and control system. In fact, the standard Leopard 1A5 tank supplied to Ukraine has already been actively used in this role.
A more serious limitation for Western tanks conducting indirect fire is the availability of high-explosive fragmentation ammunition. Installing the new C3105 turret would also require modifications to the turret ring of the hull, which would take time and resources. The overall cost of the project and the timeline for implementation remain unknown.
As a result, the situation is somewhat mixed. On the one hand, the upgrade significantly enhances the capabilities of the Leopard 1A5 and reduces the crew to three. The turret layout may also slightly improve survivability, although the overall problem of limited armor protection remains unresolved.
On the other hand, resources, including funding, are limited. At the same time, unmanned systems are placing significant constraints on the use of armored vehicles on the battlefield, especially tanks. This means priorities and resource allocation must be carefully assessed.
It also remains unclear whether the upgraded Leopard 1 has already been used in combat or if the trials so far have been limited to testing at a training range. The latter possibility is suggested by the remark that the "unit with the tank will deploy to the front."
Read more: Fate of Swiss Leopard 1 Tanks Banned from Transfer to Ukraine Revealed
