- Yes
- No
TL;DR: Prototype FSV variant of the Greek Leonidas-1 APC, equipped with a Brazilian ET-90 II 90mm 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 relatively minor upgrades, namely an automatic fire suppression system and improved smoke grenade dischargers. Around 700-800 were produced, and once again saw service in Greece and Cyprus. Cyprus’ National Guard received 197 vehicles.
- Leonidas-2s
Engesa developed the ET-90 II turret for the EE-9 Cascavel M4, as an upgrade to the ET-90 I turret on the M2 and M3, first produced in the mid-1970s. At some point, presumably around the late 1980s or early 1990s (before 1992), a modified Leonidas-1 was trialled with the ET-90 II turret. The rear half of the hull was slightly extended and made boxier, to fit the new turret. The hull appears to be that of a Leonidas-1 due to the lack of the ‘covers’ around the front exhaust (although I could be wrong on this — details about the differences between the two variants are very difficult to find). There are also claims that the French TS 90 turret was tested on a Leonidas, but I believe this is misidentification of the Austrian 4K 7FA FSV prototype with that same turret.
- Austrian 4K 7FA with TS 90 turret
Following those trials, in 1992, Greece tested three different IFV turrets on the Leonidas 2, aiming to produce an IFV variant.
- Santa Bárbara TC-13
- 25mm M242
- DAF/FMC EWS
- 25mm KBA-BO2
- NFT T25
- 25mm Mauser Model E
However, none were chosen for production, and the idea was pushed to the side. Later in the 1990s, Greece built a promising prototype IFV — the Kentauros — but development was cancelled due to high costs.
- The only other image I can find of the Leonidas-1 with the ET-90 II turret
Characteristics
The Leonidas-1 fitted with the ET-90 II turret is armed with a 90mm EC-90 III cannon, the Brazilian license-produced Cockerill Mk. 3. It primarily fires HEAT-FS and HESH rounds. M620A1 HEAT-FS penetrates 250mm @ 0°, and NR 478 HEAT-FS penetrates 300mm @ 0°. M625A1 HESH penetrates 102mm @ 0°. A coaxial 7.62mm M971 is located to the left of the main cannon. The main cannon elevates from -8° to +12°, and the turret traverses 360°.
- ET-90 II
The prototype is also fitted with a laser rangefinder. Two smoke grenade launchers are mounted on either side of the turret at the rear, for a total of four. The turret is thinly armoured, with 16mm of armour on the front and sides, and 8mm on the roof.
The Leonidas-1 hull 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 hull weighs 14.8t, and has a Steyr 7FA diesel engine producing 320hp at 2300rpm, alongside a ZF 6 HP 500 transmission, with six forward and two reverse gears. This gives the vehicle a power-to-weight ratio of 21.6hp/t.
The ET-90 II combat weight is around 2.3t. This brings the total weight up to 17.1t, with a power-to-weight ratio of 18.7hp/t. The vehicle has a maximum forward speed of 70km/h, and a reverse speed of 7.4km/h.
Conclusion
The Leonidas-2 with the ET-90 II would be a unique Greek FSV, and would fit perfectly in a future Greco-Iberian tech tree or alternatively, in a future Latin American tech tree. It would fit at a BR of around 7.7, with a solid cannon, a laser rangefinder, and good mobility.
Specifications
Armament
- ET-90 II
- 90mm EC-90 III
- Unstabilised
- Ammunition
- M620A1 HEAT-FS
- 250mm at 0°
- NR 478 HEAT-FS
- 300mm at 0°
- M625A1 HESH
- 102mm at 0°
- HE
- Smoke
- M620A1 HEAT-FS
- 7.62mm M971 coaxial
- Vertical Guidance
- -8°/+15°
- Horizontal Guidance
- 360°
- Laser rangefinder
- 90mm EC-90 III
Armour
- Hull front — 26-32mm
- Hull sides — 15.5mm
- Hull rear — 15.5mm
- Turret front — 16mm
- Turret sides — 16mm
- Turret rear — 8mm
Mobility
- Speed
- 70km/h forward, 6 gears
- 7.4km/h reverse, 2 gears
- Weight
- 17.1t
- Engine power
- 320hp, 18.7hp/t
Other
- Crew
- 3 — Commander, gunner, driver
- Smoke grenades
- 4
Images
- The only two images available are the ones in the text
Sources
Spoiler
Jane’s Armour and Artillery 1994–95. Christopher F Foss. pp. 348–349
