- Yes
- No
TL;DR: Cypriot modification of Greek Leonidas-2 APC with three 20mm autocannons in a Serbian turret
History
In 1958, the first prototype of the Austrian Saurer 4K 4FA armoured personnel carrier was produced by Österreichische Saurerwerke AG. 445 vehicles in total were delivered to the Austrian Army, with production ceasing in 1969. In 1977, production began of an upgraded version, called the 4K 7FA G 127, now by Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG. This was up-armoured, and powered by a better engine and transmission, also used in the Austrian SK-105 Kürassier.
Greece acquired the license for the 4K 7FA, and in 1982, the first vehicle left the production line, named Leonidas-1. 100 vehicles were constructed, and they saw service in both the Greek and Cypriot Armies. In 1987, orders were placed for an upgraded version, called the Leonidas-2. The Leonidas-2 had a number of upgrades, like a new engine (additional 130hp), better armour, and internal systems. Around 700-800 were produced, and once again saw service in Greece and Cyprus. Cyprus’ National Guard received 197 vehicles.
- Leonidas-2s
Other IFVs in service with Cyprus include the Brazilian EE-3 Jaracara acquired in the late 1980s, in Cypriot service modified with a MILAN ATGM launcher, and the Soviet BMP-3 delivered in 1995-1996. While Greece built a promising prototype IFV in the late 90s (Kentauros), which Cyprus may very well have adopted, it never entered production.
Back in 1955, the Zastava M55 (20/3-mm-M55) anti-aircraft cannon was developed in Yugoslavia, a triple-barrel version of a license-produced Hispano-Suiza HS.804. Cyprus acquired at least 50 of these at an unknown date, and they remain in service to this day.
On July 25th, 2024, the Cypriot National Guard held exercises for their 60th anniversary. It was here that the Kerveros (Κέρβερος, meaning Cerberus) was revealed for the first time, featuring the Serbian ‘Kerber’ RCWS by Yugoimport (first shown in 2019) on a Leonidas-2 hull. Part of the allure of the vehicle was to hit ground and low-altitude air targets with airburst ammunition, something the National Guard as of yet cannot do, and something that the war in Ukraine has proved very useful.
No further details on the Kerveros, such as production orders, have been released just yet.
- Kerveros during testing
Characteristics
The Kerber turret features the Zastava M55, with three drum-fed autocannons. Each drum holds 60 rounds, and the cannons have a fire rate of 1950-2200 rounds/minute. The cannons fire 20x110mm ammunition, including AP, HE and airburst rounds, at around 850m/s. The turret can traverse 360°, and has elevation angles of -5°/+70°. The turret also has a day sight with 36x magnification, a thermal sight with a 640x512 resolution (1st generation), and a laser rangefinder. The rear of the turret has four 82mm smoke grenade launchers. Three spare drums are located inside the turret. The turret itself weighs only 1t, and has armour only protecting against 7.62x39mm rounds.
- Close-up of turret
The Leonidas-2 is relatively thinly armoured. It has around 26-32mm of frontal armour, and around 15.5mm along the sides and rear, protecting against only 20mm AP projectiles from the front up to 100m, and 7.62mm rounds all around. The vehicle weighs 14.8t, and has a Steyr 7FA diesel engine producing 320hp at 2300rpm, alongside a ZF 6-S80 transmission. This gives the vehicle a power-to-weight ratio of 21.6. With the 1t turret, this goes down to 20.2hp/t.
The vehicle has a maximum forward speed of 70km/h, and a reverse speed of 7.4km/h. The Kerveros has an unknown crew member, but is likely 3 or 4 – commander, driver, gunner and potentially a separate loader.
- Kerveros during exercises
Conclusion
The Kerveros is a unique Cypriot modification of a Greek-Austrian vehicle, and could fit in a number of trees – a Greco-Iberian tree, a Yugoslav (Serbian) tree, or an Alpine (Austrian) tree. It has a relatively advanced FCS and features high firepower, and so would fit as an SPAA or light tank around ~8.0, although with fairly limited anti-tank capabilities due to low penetration rounds.
Specifications
Armament
- KERBER Turret
- Zastava 20/3 M55
- 1950-2200 rpm
- Ammunition
- M57 HE-T
- M62 HEI-T
- M60 API-T
- ~30-40mm at 0° at 10m
- Airburst round
- Vertical Guidance
- -5°/+70°
- Laser rangefinder
- 1st generation thermals
- Zastava 20/3 M55
Armour
- Hull front — 26-32mm
- Hull sides — 15.5mm
- Hull rear — 15.5mm
- Turret — Resists 7.62x39mm all around
Mobility
- Speed
- 70km/h forward, 6 gears
- 7.4km/h reverse, 1 gear
- Weight
- 15.8t
- Engine power
- 320hp, ~20.2hp/t
Other
- Crew
- 3 (or 4) – Commander, gunner, driver (+ loader)
- Smoke grenades
- 4 launchers
Images
Few other images are available right now. Will update when more are released.
Sources
Spoiler
https://centauros.gr/dynamiki-epideixi-dynatotiton-kai-proti-emfanisi-gia-ton-kervero/
Kerber Turret Brochure
Jane’s Armour and Artillery 2011-2012
Army Guide – 4K 7FA
Army Guide – Leonidas-1/2
CAT-UXO - Projectiles
Balkan Novoteh | Arms and defense industry