Leonidas-2 (EWS)

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Leonidas-2 (EWS)

Flag_of_Greece.svg
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Leonidas_5

TL;DR: Prototype IFV variant of the Greek Leonidas-2 APC, equipped with an American/Dutch FMC/DAF turret armed with a 25mm autocannon.

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.

Elvo-Leonidas
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  • Leonidas-2s

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 Enclosed Weapon Station (EWS) was developed by the American FMC Corporation in the 1970s, for use on the Dutch AIFV (YPR-765). It was manufactured under license by the Dutch company DAF. However, like the other two turrets, it didn’t see mass production for Greece.

Characteristics
The Leonidas-2 fitted with the one-man EWS turret is armed with a 25mm Oerlikon KBA-B02 dual-feed autocannon. It can fire a range of ammunition (NATO 25x137mm), including HE and APDS rounds. The M791 APDS penetrates 80mm at 10m at 0°. The cannon can also fire APFSDS rounds, but they entered production in the mid-to-late 90s, well after the construction of this prototype. 180 rounds are stored in the turret. To the left of the main gun is a coaxial 7.62mm MAG 58, fed by a 230-round belt. The main cannon elevates from -10° to +50°, at a speed of 60°/s. The turret traverses 360° at 60°/s.

EWS
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  • Enclosed Weapon Station

The gunner has a Philips UA9124/UA9216 sight with x2–x6 magnification. Thermals and laser rangefinders were integrated onto later model turrets for the Dutch YPR-765, but these are likely to have been absent on the Leonidas prototype. Four smoke grenade launchers are mounted on either side of the turret, for a total of eight. The turret is all-welded and thinly armoured.

The Leonidas-2 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 EWS combat weight is 1.46t. This brings the total weight up to 16.26t, with a power-to-weight ratio of 19.7hp/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 EWS would be a unique Greek IFV, and would fit perfectly in a future Greco-Iberian tech tree or alternatively, in the French tree due to its Dutch links. It would fit at a BR of around 7.0, with a potent autocannon and good mobility, but lacking a stabiliser and laser rangefinder, as well as better ammunition like APFSDS rounds.

Specifications
Armament

  • FMC/DAF Enclosed Weapon Station (EWS)
    • 25mm Oerlikon KBA-B02
      • Unstabilised
      • 180 rounds (in turret)
      • Ammunition
        • M792 HEI-T
          • 7mm at 0° at 10m
        • M791 APDS-T
          • 80mm at 0° at 10m
    • 7.62mm MAG58 coaxial
      • 230 rounds
    • Vertical Guidance
      • -10°/+50° @ 60°/second
    • Horizontal Guidance
      • 360° @ 60°/second

Armour

  • Hull front — 26-32mm
  • Hull sides — 15.5mm
  • Hull rear — 15.5mm
  • Turret – all-welded, thin

Mobility

  • Speed
    • 70km/h forward, 6 gears
    • 7.4km/h reverse, 2 gears
  • Weight
    • 16.26t
  • Engine power
    • 320hp, 19.7hp/t

Other

  • Crew
    • 3 — Commander, gunner, driver
  • Smoke grenades
    • 8

Images

  • The only image that appears to be available is the one at the top of the page

Sources

Spoiler

Jane’s AFV Retrofit Systems 1993–94. Sixth edition. Tony Cullen and Christopher F Foss. p. 355

Jane’s Armour and Artillery 1994–95. Christopher F Foss. pp. 348–349

Army Guide

2 Likes
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Looks cool +1