- Yes
- No
TL;DR: Prototype IFV/SPAA variant of the Greek Leonidas-2 APC, equipped with a Spanish TC-13 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 TC-13 was developed by Santa Bárbara Sistemas in the late 1980s/early 1990s, based on the TC-25 turret fitted to the Pegaso VEC-M1, but simplified and cheaper. It saw trials on the Leonidas-2, as well as on Spanish vehicles such as the M113 and BMR 600. The turret never saw mass production.
Characteristics
The Leonidas-2 fitted with the Spanish TC-13 turret is armed with a 25mm M242 Bushmaster autocannon. It can fire a range of ammunition (NATO 25x137mm), including HE and APDS rounds. The M791 APDS penetrates 81mm at 10m at 0°. The cannon can also fire APFSDS rounds, but the M919 round (in-game on the Bradleys) entered service in 1995, well after the construction of this prototype. Ammunition is supplied automatically via two magazines underneath the cannon with a double-feed mechanism. The turret can carry 130 rounds total. To the left of the main gun is a coaxial 7.62mm MG43/MG3S, fed by a 250-round belt. The main cannon elevates from -10° to +50°, at a speed of 45°/s. The turret traverses 360° at 60°/s.
The main sight is the PERI-Z16, with magnification from x1–x6. Optionally, a x8 magnification night sight and a laser rangefinder can be fitted, but these were likely not present on the prototype. Two 77mm smoke grenade launchers are mounted on either side of the turret, for a total of four. The turret is thinly armoured — 20mm at the front, 10mm at the side, and 8mm at the rear and on the roof.
- Side profile of the prototype
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 TC-13 combat weight is 1.3t. This brings the total weight up to 16.1t, with a power-to-weight ratio of 19.9hp/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 TC-13 would be a unique Greek SPAA/IFV, and would fit perfectly in a future Greco-Iberian tech tree. 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
- Santa Bárbara TC-13
- 25mm M242 Bushmaster
- Unstabilised
- 130 rounds
- Ammunition
- M792 HEI-T
- 7mm at 0° at 10m
- M791 APDS-T
- 81mm at 0° at 10m
- M792 HEI-T
- 7.62mm MG42/MG3S coaxial
- 250 rounds
- Vertical Guidance
- -10°/+50° @ 45°/second
- Horizontal Guidance
- 360° @ 60°/second
- 25mm M242 Bushmaster
Armour
- Hull front — 26-32mm
- Hull sides — 15.5mm
- Hull rear — 15.5mm
- Turret front — 20mm
- Turret sides — 10mm
- Turret rear, roof — 8mm
Mobility
- Speed
- 70km/h forward, 6 gears
- 7.4km/h reverse, 2 gears
- Weight
- 16.1t
- Engine power
- 320hp, 19.9hp/t
Other
- Crew
- 3 — Commander, gunner, driver
- Smoke grenades
- 4x 77mm
Images
- I have only been able to find 2 images, which are both in the main text
Sources
Spoiler
Jane’s AFV Retrofit Systems 1993–94. Sixth edition. Tony Cullen and Christopher F Foss. pp. 334–335
Jane’s Armour and Artillery 1994–95. Christopher F Foss. pp. 348–349