- Yes
- No
TL;DR: Prototype IFV variant of the Greek Leonidas-2 APC, equipped with a Norwegian T25 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.
- 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 T25 (alternatively MK 25 Model E 25mm) was developed by the Norwegian Norsk Forsvarsteknologi (NFT) (now Kongsberg Gruppen) in the late 1980s-early 1990s. It was a further development of the Hägglunds Rh 202 20mm turret. It was only a prototype at the time of testing on the Leonidas-2, and appears to have been cancelled shortly afterwards.
Characteristics
The Leonidas-2 fitted with the one-man T25 turret is armed with a dual-feed 25mm Mauser Mk 25 Model E 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. Ammunition is stored in two magazine boxes, an upper (40 rounds) and lower (80 rounds). A coaxial 7.62mm MG3 is located on the turret roof. The main cannon elevates from -10° to +50°, and the turret traverses 360°. Both are manually-operated using a handcrank, at either 4° or 12° of movement per revolution, depending on the speeed chosen by the gunner.
- T25
The gunner has a sight with x8 magnification. Two triple banks of smoke grenade launchers are mounted on the turret rear/roof. The turret is 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 T25 combat weight is around 1t. This brings the total weight up to 15.8t, with a power-to-weight ratio of 20.3hp/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 T25 would be a unique Greek IFV, and would fit perfectly in a future Greco-Iberian tech tree or alternatively, in the Swedish tree due to its Norwegian 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
- NFT T25 / MK 25 Model E 25mm
- 25mm Mauser MK 25 Model E
- Unstabilised
- 120 rounds (in turret)
- Ammunition
- M792 HEI-T
- 7mm at 0° at 10m
- M791 APDS-T
- 80mm at 0° at 10m
- M792 HEI-T
- 7.62mm MG3 coaxial
- Vertical Guidance
- -10°/+50° @ 4° or 12° per handcrank revolution
- Horizontal Guidance
- 360° @ 4° or 12° per handcrank revolution
- 25mm Mauser MK 25 Model E
Armour
- Hull front — 26-32mm
- Hull sides — 15.5mm
- Hull rear — 15.5mm
- Turret – thin
Mobility
- Speed
- 70km/h forward, 6 gears
- 7.4km/h reverse, 2 gears
- Weight
- 15.8t
- Engine power
- 320hp, 20.3hp/t
Other
- Crew
- 3 — Commander, gunner, driver
- Smoke grenades
- 6
Images
Spoiler
Sources
Spoiler
Jane’s AFV Retrofit Systems 1993–94. Sixth edition. Tony Cullen and Christopher F Foss. p. 331
Jane’s Armour and Artillery 1994–95. Christopher F Foss. pp. 348–349