John Cockerill Delivers Modernized Leopard 1 Tank with New Turret to Ukraine

The Belgian company John Cockerill has supplied Ukraine with a modernized Leopard 1 tank equipped with a new Cockerill 3105 turret.

A photo of the modernized Ukrainian Leopard 1 was released by Frank Janssens, General Manager of Weapons Systems at John Cockerill Defense.

Earlier, it was reported that Ukraine received its first modernized tank back in May 2025.

The company cites the capability for indirect fire as the main advantage of the modernization, a feature which, it claims, “no other Western tank possesses.”

The modernization involves the installation of a new Cockerill 3105 turret, equipped with modern optical systems that allow for the detection of targets at distances of up to 18 km during the day and up to 15 km at night.

The turret provides protection against 25-mm sub-caliber shells and is equipped with an automatic loader for 12-16 rounds.

The layout is designed so that the gunner and commander are positioned at the level of the tank’s hull, rather than inside the turret.

The turret is equipped with a 105-mm high-pressure gun that uses the same shells as the Leopard 1 tanks and is also capable of firing the Ukrainian Falarick anti-tank missile.

Frank Janssens reported that the Cockerill 3105 is constructed from armored aluminum, is 3 tons lighter than the original turret, and has the same caliber.

It features Level 4 protection with the option to install dynamic and active protection systems.

“Operational testing has been validated by combat experience,” noted Frank Janssens.

Last year, Ukraine’s 142nd Separate Mechanized Brigade was reinforced with German Leopard 1 tanks. To protect them, including the turret, dynamic protection was installed.