John Cockerill Defense reaffirms its commitment to Armed Forces at IDEX 2025

John Cockerill Defense will be present at IDEX, to showcase its innovative products and expertise in weapon systems, armored vehicles, and support for armed forces. As a long-standing partner of many regional armies, John Cockerill Defense assists its clients in developing and managing their weapon systems and fleets by providing innovative solutions and operational support in the field. Participation in IDEX 2025 is a first for John Cockerill Defense since the acquisition of Arquus.

John Cockerill Defense will be presenting its wide range of Cockerill® turrets, Arquus® vehicles, Agueris® simulators and all associated services. As a perfect example of the integration of Arquus into John Cockerill Defense, the VAB MK III equipped with a Cockerill® 1030 turret will be exhibited on the France pavilion.

Through Arquus, John Cockerill is developing a diverse range of military vehicles that incorporate advanced technologies in mobility, protection, and weapon systems. Our well-known models, including the SHERPA family—combat proven across multiple mission worldwide—and the FORTRESS, deployed in the region, are built to meet the most specific demands of armed forces.

Continuously innovating, Arquus launched the MAV’RX last spring, a 4×4 designed specifically for the challenging terrain of the Middle East, combining high payload capacity, exceptional protection, medium-caliber armament, and superior mobility. Arquus has also decided to combine its expertise in mobility and robotics to create a multifunctional platform, the DRAILER: a teleoperated 4×4 vehicle that can be deployed for infantry support missions, as well as various specialized missions such as engineering, electronic warfare, counter drone operations, and very short-range ground-to-air missions.

At IDEX, on the France Pavilion, Arquus exhibits the VAB MK III, a modern and modular troop transport vehicle equipped with the latest protection and collaborative combat technologies.  presented with the Cockerill® 1030 turret from John Cockerill Defense, demonstrating Arquus’ expertise in integrating cutting-edge systems. To enhance protection and situational awareness, the VAB MK III is fitted with an advanced combat system, including a laser warning system and a smoke grenade launcher interconnected with the BattleNet system. These technologies optimize soldiers’ cognitive workload and improve their responsiveness to threats. Combat-proven in the Middle East, the VAB is presented in its Infantry Fighting Vehicle version.

IDEX 2025 is also the opportunity for John Cockerill Defense to present on booth 12-B14 its innovative product called Cockerill® i-X (“i” for “interceptor” and “X” for “modular-multi-weapons system”). It’s the first ever ground interceptor and is a breakthrough combat system for territorial defense interception: engage and defeat incoming threats before they reach their objective.

The Cockerill® i-X is born from the merger of the technological excellence of weapon systems and the expertise of rally raid performance, the Cockerill® i-X represent a break with traditional concepts and imposes a new paradigm of military land operations.

The vehicle is capable of moving at very high speeds on-road and off-road (with a thermal or hybrid thermal-electric drive train), light, stealthy (appearance management with adaptive camouflage, and modification of IR and acoustic signature), integrating multi sensor data fusion technology (Smart Helmet, on-board intelligence AI, cameras, sensors : LWS, Acoustic Gunshot detection and localization) and capable of integrating a suite of effective weapons (such as 25mm, 30mm, Missiles, Rockets,…) depending on the threat to be neutralized, as well as to foresee the integration of a new generation of effectors.

Other striking innovative aspects concern the weapon system which will be completely retractable to ensure its stealth and speed. The vehicle will be quickly transportable by Air (plane, helicopter, droppable by parachute), Sea and Land (train, truck).

Over the past few months, the Cockerill i-X has undergone numerous firing and rolling sessions that have demonstrated the power and effectiveness of this weapon system, particularly in terms of speed, stealth and stability when firing.

Also presented alongside the Cockerill i-X, the OPTIMIS headset revolutionizes decision support for crews. The Optimis headset is an innovative human-machine interface allowing operators to undertake their objective in a faster and safer way by greatly enhancing their perception and understanding of the situation, while remaining completely protected.

The interface relies on human natural interaction capabilities such as head movement to observe, eye-tracking to target and voice recognition to request additional assistance. To process all of these inputs as well as battlefield data, it features an intelligent multimodal engine to manage the information and interactions with the weapon system, offering an intuitive interface for the operators. The demonstrator showcased at the exhibition focuses on the main and most important features, which are the real-time ultra-high-definition video feed and the full weapon system integration

John Cockerill Defense also presents the Cockerill® 1030. Lightweight, precise, multi-mission, including fully amphibious, and with high firepower, the Cockerill® 1030 is the answer to the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s armed forces. Lightweight (<1.5t with level 2 ballistic protection) and compact (1.5m ring diameter) with a capacity of up to 200 rounds, equipped with 2 digital sighting systems, able to elevate to 70°, and with the ability to integrate a wide range of accessories such as AT missiles, rockets, APS, 360° close observation… it is the ideal weapon system for all types of vehicles and missions (APC, IFV, anti-UAV, amphibious, …). Thanks to more than 1,000 turrets in service around the world today, the John Cockerill Defense team has acquired a unique experience in terms of reliability and performance from which the Cockerill®1030 benefits.

In December 2024, the Cockerill® 1030 successfully completed one customers demonstration, with great distinction. Whether in static or moving mode, the 1030 hit the target with every shot. This again demonstrates the reliability and accuracy of our products, which are the result of our 200 years of experience in manufacturing weapon systems.

In addition, John Cockerill Defense also presents the Cockerill® CPWS. This turret is a low profile, lightweight remotely operated turret with a unique hatch opening which can be positioned in three different modes (closed for protection, surveillance while elevated and fully opened for emergency exit or maintenance). The CPWS is a modular turret that allows to integrate multiple weapons, the 25x137mm gun such as the M242 and the 30x113mm gun such as the M230LF completed with a 7.62mm coax machine gun. The concept of modularity is extended to major components such as sighting systems, rockets, missiles, Smoke Grenade Launcher. The configuration will be based on customer mission objective which could be either an Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) or Reconnaissance Vehicle equipped with a panoramic stabilized sighting system and with extended system capacities for surveillance, identification and engagement up to 2,500m.

The turret weight around 1 ton allows to integrate it on multiple chassis such as 4×4, 6×6 with limited payload while still having a huge firepower. This turret is also available on our concept of Combat Boat for coastal surveillance and defense.

Thanks to its unique hatch opening, the CPWS were also integrated on unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) from Milrem to be ready for the future of military needs.

Also at IDEX, Agueris, a subsidiary of John Cockerill Defense, and a specialist in training and simulation, is presenting its complete range offering simulation solutions (immersive and on-board virtual) and training (in virtual maintenance and UAV piloting). Agueris is present on the John Cockerill stand.

Beyond its technological solutions, John Cockerill is committed to long-term support for its clients through a structured operational assistance program. The company deploys specialized personnel, including FSRs, workshop managers, and stock managers, to oversee maintenance operations and optimize vehicle availability. John Cockerill also strengthens its engagement through local partnerships, offering maintenance, training, and fleet management solutions tailored to each client’s needs. Using innovative training methods, the company ensures the upskilling of local teams with both in-person and remote courses delivered by its experts.

Through its presence at IDEX, John Cockerill Defense reaffirms its commitment to regional armed forces and its ambition to provide high-performance, sustainable solutions tailored to the challenges faced by States in preserving their sovereignty and protecting their populations.

The Press Release is available in English, Arabic and French