FNSS and John Cockerill Defense to Showcase Cutting-Edge Armored Vehicles at LAAD International Defense and Security Fair 2025
FNSS, in collaboration with John Cockerill Defense (JCD), announces its participation at the LAAD International Defense and Security Fair, scheduled to take place from April 1 to 4, 2025, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This premier event will serve as a platform for FNSS to showcase its advanced armoured vehicles to global defence and security leaders.
Visitors to stand number S40 will have the opportunity to experience the formidable capabilities of the KAPLAN Medium Tank / VBC CC (Viaturas Blindadas de Combate Carro de Combate), featuring the state-of-the-art 105mm John Cockerill Defense Cockerill 3105 turret at the FNSS stand. In addition, attendees can explore the concept model of the KAPLAN Tracked Armoured Fighting Vehicle / VBC Fuz (Viaturas Blindadas de Combate de Fuzileiros), equipped with the innovative Cockerill® 3030, 30mm unmanned turret, displayed at the John Cockerill Defense stand.
"We are excited to make our first appearance at the LAAD Fair," said FNSS International Business Development Director, Melih Kayaalp. "This event provides a significant platform for us to engage with the Brazilian Armed Forces, Army, Mechanised Infantry and international delegations from across the world. We are eager to demonstrate our commitment to delivering cutting-edge defence solutions."
Frank Jansens, General Manager of the Weapon Systems division of John Cockerill Defense: "These three days at LAAD are an excellent opportunity for us to demonstrate the consistency, the performance and the reliability of our Cockerill 3105. Our 105 mm product has many advantages thanks to its ability to elevate its gun to +42 degrees, which allows for indirect ‘artillery’ type fire and an operational anti-drone system. If we add the fact that 105 mm ammunition is readily available on the international market, we have a turret that should appeal to South American countries".
Both FNSS and John Cockerill Defense are excited about the opportunity to connect and collaborate with key stakeholders and decision-makers in the defence industry. They look forward to showcasing their products' robustness and technological advancements, underscoring their dedication to enhancing global security.
For more information, please visit the FNSS & John Cockerill Defense stands located at stand number S40 during the exhibition.
About KAPLAN-MT / VBC CC (Viaturas Blindadas de Combate Carro de Combate)
Medium-weight tanks have been characterized by their adaptability to operate within a wider spectrum of combat scenarios. Their medium weight enables improved manoeuvrability and deployability compared to main battle tanks, while providing enhanced protection and firepower compared to light armoured elements. This versatility enables military forces to respond rapidly and effectively to wider range of operational requirements. As a force multiplier, medium tanks are becoming invaluable assets in both conventional and unconventional operations where manoeuvrability and rapid deployability are paramount.
FNSS’ KAPLAN MT / VBC CC (Viaturas Blindadas de Combate Carro de Combate) represents a unique response to emerging requirements in modern warfare. KAPLAN MT’s indigenous design provides the lowest silhouette and highest power-to-weight ratio in its class. The platform is designed for optimum weight and mobility performance. The latest technology power pack of the vehicle is combined with advanced electronic controlled systems, Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), and a heavy-duty suspension. These features enable the tank to ensure reliable and continuous power during expeditionary manoeuvres on the battlefield for day and night operations. Moreover, KAPLAN MT’s advanced mobility system improves user ergonomics and extends life cycle of all mission equipment.
In accordance to the conventional tank concept, the KAPLAN MT’s powerpack is positioned at the rear of the platform with increasing its mobility by enhancing high acceleration, especially on soft soil and rough terrain. This design allows the driver to operate the tank with the highest level of situational awareness without the need to open its top hatch. The concept also provides the tank gun with a significant depression angle. Other front engine tanks, converted from personnel carriers or Armoured Combat Vehicles (ACVs) cannot offer these capabilities to the user.
KAPLAN MT’s design architecture provides a superior level of battlefield survivability, incorporating advanced ballistic and best-in-class mine protection systems. Active protection system can also be integrated as an option, based on user requirements. KAPLAN MT’s interior design is highly focused on user ergonomics and optimum crew comfort to increase overall performance of its users during operational tasks. KAPLAN MT is equipped with day and thermal cameras, multi-functional digital driver dashboard, and wide-angle optical periscopes for the driver. To provide hunter-killer capability, a third-generation high performance sight system is also available for both the gunner and the commander. In addition, it has a Battlefield Management System (BMS) and Laser Warning Systems (LWS) to provide high level of tactical situational awareness for the crew.
The unique Anti-Armoured Punch for KAPLAN MT features the latest generation John Cockerill Defense turret equipped with high-pressure 105 mm gun, offering substantial firepower against battlefield threats with great speed of response within a short period of time. It is an ideal weapon of choice for both direct and indirect fire missions, together with infantry support roles. Its unique indirect accurate firing capability allows effective engagement in both open fields and multi-complex urban terrains.
KAPLAN MT is in service with Indonesian Army and represents the only export contract of Türkiye within the Combat Tank Class.
About COCKERILL 3105:
LAAD 2025 is the opportunity for John Cockerill Defense to present its Cockerill 3105. This weapon system proposes the appropriate solution for the increasing need of light-weight / high mobility / powerful systems for infantry support. It fitted with his high pressure 105mm NATO gun, fully designed and produced by John Cockerill is an ITAR-free solution which is already qualified and in operation in several armies.
The design of our turret developed around our gun allows to have the best size / weight (<6T combat ready) to maximize the mobility of a light-tank with a protection level 4 as a standard design. More-over, the unique +42° gun elevation allows to fire in high elevation in urban environment or in rolling environment is a game changer in operation. This elevation is also permitting indirect fire up to 10km. The fully automated autoloader loaded with 12 rounds allows to load the gun automatically and therefore to increase the firing-rate up to 6 rounds per minutes.
As John Cockerill owns the entire design, the configuration is adaptable to each specific customer in order to add several options such as CUAS detectors and IA, auto-tracking, rockets, ATGM, additional armour protection up to level 6, …
Contact:
FNSS- Cem ALTINISIK, cem.altinisik@fnss.com.tr
John Cockerill Defens- Xavier DELHAYE, xavier.delhaye@johncockerill.com
About FNSS: FNSS is a globally recognized land systems company that specializes in designing and producing wheeled and tracked armoured combat vehicles as well as combat engineering vehicles, unmanned ground vehicles, hybrid powertrains, turrets and sustainability solutions. As the preferred solution provider of users in various countries, the Company has delivered thousands of armoured combat vehicles worldwide. https://www.fnss.com.tr
About John Cockerill Defense: Member of the bicentennial John Cockerill Group, John Cockerill Defense is the technological leader in multifunctional, high-effect turrets in the 25-120mm range for light and medium weight armoured vehicles. John Cockerill Defense develops and integrates complete and innovative solutions: design, production, integration and upgrade of weapons systems, operational and tactical training, Agueris® simulation systems (virtual immersive, mobile, embedded and inter-connectable), through-life support and innovative functionalities. Marketed under the Cockerill® brand, John Cockerill Defense weapons systems combine superior firepower and lightweight for high mobility armored vehicles, guaranteeing performance and protection. www.johncockerill.com/defense
