Belgium to Transfer Tank to Ukraine for Which Luch Design Bureau Has Already Developed a Missile
As part of a new military aid package, Belgium will transfer a modernized Leopard 1 tank, for which the Luch Design Bureau has developed an anti-tank missile.
Future Army reported on this.
The transferred Leopard 1 tank will be equipped with a new Cockerill 3105 turret with a 105 mm gun, for which the Falarick guided anti-tank missile was created.
The tank will be tested in combat conditions, and if the results are successful, the possibility of modernizing other Leopard 1 tanks in the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be considered.
The modernization mainly involves the new Cockerill 3105 turret, which features advanced optical systems and an autoloader for 12–16 rounds located in the bustle compartment. 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 itself.
Meanwhile, the turret is equipped with a high-pressure 105 mm gun that uses the same ammunition as Leopard 1 tanks, but also has the capability to fire the Ukrainian Falarick anti-tank guided missile.
This missile was specifically developed for the Belgian 105 mm 105HP gun back in 2010 for the then-current CT-CV turret family equipped with the same gun. The missile uses laser beam riding guidance.
The development of the Falarick anti-tank guided missile took place in 2008–2009. In February 2010, the missile successfully passed live-fire tests in Scotland: two missiles launched from the gun barrel of a CT-CV turret mounted on a Piranha-3 armored personnel carrier hit targets at a range of over 2,900 meters.
The Falarick missile can hit targets at a maximum range of 5 km in 17 seconds. After launch, its tandem warhead (high-explosive anti-tank) is capable of penetrating 550 mm of steel armor protected by explosive reactive armor.
It’s worth noting that turrets manufactured by Cockerill are positioned as a universal solution for upgrading outdated military equipment — both tracked and wheeled — that requires enhanced firepower and modern optical systems.
In addition to Leopard 1, these turrets are also installed on Indian Zorawar light tanks, Turkish Kaplan MT tanks, and other platforms.
Militarnyi previously reported that the Belgian Minister of Defence had partially revealed the plans for military aid in 2025. In particular, it was announced that Belgium would provide Ukraine with 20 Cerber air defense systems.
Out of the €1 billion allocated by Belgium to support Ukraine in 2025, nearly €650 million is earmarked for purchases from Belgian companies.
