Leonidas-1 (Nimrod 300/2)

ChieftainWarrior · June 16, 2025, 4:33am

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Leonidas-1 (Nimrod 300/2)

TL;DR: First prototype/demonstrator of the Leonidas 300, fitting the Leonidas-1 APC with a 30mm RCWS

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

In 1992, Greece tested three different IFV turrets on the Leonidas 2, aiming to produce an IFV variant. However, none of these would ultimately be successful. Later in the 1990s, Greece built a promising prototype IFV — the Kentauros — but development was cancelled due to high costs.

Leonidas (TC-13) (2)

Leonidas-2 with TC-13 turret, one of the variants tested in 1992

In 2019, EODH presented to the Greek Army their upgrade proposal for the aging Leonidas-1s and -2s, named Leonidas 300. It consistes of extensive upgrades, from replacing the engine, gearbox, and drivetrain, to upgrading the armour with composite add-ons to protect against 25mm AP rounds frontally, to fitting various different RCWS systems to substantially improve firepower.

Leonidas EODH

Leonidas 300 render

At DEFEA 2025, EODH showcased their first demonstrator for the Leonidas 300. A Leonidas-1 was used, and was delivered late, meaning the only modification that could take place was the installation of the RCWS and an electronic warfare (EW) system. It still remains to be seen if the Greek Army will go forward with the upgrades presented by EODH.

Characteristics
The vehicle is fitted with a Slovenian Valhalla Nimrod 300/2 RCWS, armed with a fully-stabilised 30mm ATK Bushmaster MK44 autocannon. It can use a variety of APDS, APFSDS and HE rounds – MK258 APFSDS has 116mm of penetration at 10m at 0°, firing at 1430m/s. The cannon is also compatible with the MK310 airburst round. 180 rounds are carried in total. The main cannon can elevate from -15° to +50°, and the whole turret rotates 70°/second. The RCWS is fitted with a 7.62mm coaxial, with 750 rounds. The RCWS is also fitted with a thermal sight and laser rangefinder. The RCWS can also be fitted with ATGMs or loitering munitions — the demonstrator vehicle was shown with a loitering munition launcher, although whether it was a mock-up isn’t clear (and it wouldn’t really have a place in-game anyway). The RCWS has armour protection rated at STANAG 4569 Level 2, meaning it protects against only 7.62mm AP rounds at >30m and 155mm HE at >80m.

Close-up of the Nimrod 300/2

The rear of the vehicle features the RF HUNTER electronic warfare system. This is a passive EW system that detects and analyses radio frequencies to mark them on a digital map, including detecting drones and transmitting their coordinates to the RCWS for hard-kill neutralisation. In effect, it functions similarly to a hard-kill APS, but using the main cannon, and only for drones (not missiles).

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 vehicle 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 Nimrod 300/2 weighs around 850kg, but depends on the configuration. This would bring the weight up to 15.65t, with a power-to-weight ratio of 20.4hp/t. The vehicle has a maximum forward speed of 70km/h, and a reverse speed of 7.4km/h.

Conclusion
The Leonidas-1 with Nimrod 300/2 RCWS would be a unique Greek vehicle, and would fit perfectly in a future Greco-Iberian tech tree, or alternatively in an Alpine (Austrian) or Yugoslav (Slovenian) tree. It would fit well at a BR of around 8.7–9.0, with a potent autocannon and fire control system, but only decent mobility (compared to other light tanks in this BR range) and poor armour.

Specifications
Armament

Nimrod 300/2 RCWS
- 30mm ATK Bushmaster MK44
  - Stabilised
  - 200rpm, 180 rounds
  - Ammunition
    - MK238 HEI-T
    - APDS
      - 87mm at 0° at 10m
    - MK258 APFSDS-T
      - 116mm at 0° at 10m
    - MK310 PABM (Airburst)
- 7.62mm coaxial
  - 750 rounds
- Vertical Guidance
  - -15°/+50°
- Horizontal Guidance
  - 360° @ 70°/second
- Laser rangefinder
- Thermal sights (gunner + commander)