EXCLUSIVE: U.S. M60 tanks reborn as light tank killers with John Cockerill 3105 105mm turret at EDEX 2025.

Belgian Company John Cockerill Defense unveiled a modernization concept for the legacy U.S.-made M60 tank at EDEX 2025 in Cairo, showcasing a scale model fitted with the COCKERILL 3105 weapon station. The design signals growing demand for affordable and mobile firepower options across Middle Eastern armies seeking to extend the service life of older armor fleets.

Belgian Company John Cockerill Defense used the EDEX 2025 exhibition to preview how a Cold War staple could be pushed into a new era, presenting a reimagined U.S.-made main battle tank, the M60, equipped with its COCKERILL 3105 105mm weapon station. Company representatives described the concept as a practical path for regional forces seeking heavier fire support without investing in an entirely new fleet, noting that the 105 millimeter gun module and digital architecture are already fielded on lighter armored vehicles. While the display focused on a scale model, officials said the approach reflects active conversations with several regional militaries that continue to rely on refurbished M60 variants.
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Scale model of the upgraded M60 tank featuring the John Cockerill 3105 weapon station on display at the John Cockerill Defense booth during EDEX 2025 in Cairo, Egypt. The concept illustrates a turret-replacement solution to revitalize legacy U.S.-made tanks with modern firepower and digital systems.

This new upgrade path offers a transformative solution for militaries across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia that still operate legacy U.S.-made M60 tank fleets. By replacing the traditional turret with a high-performance unmanned module armed with a 105mm high-pressure gun, John Cockerill introduces an entirely new mission profile for the M60: agile, lethal, and significantly more affordable than full main battle tank replacement programs.

Unlike a simple overhaul, the modernization effectively strips the M60 of its original combat identity and reshapes it for asymmetric and expeditionary warfare. The COCKERILL 3105 turret is not just a weapon mount; it integrates advanced fire control, hunter-killer optics, and full digital architecture, providing modern lethality and networked capabilities without the cost burden of next-generation tanks. The system supports programmable ammunition and features autoloading, drastically reducing crew size and increasing survivability.

Replacing the M60's original steel-cast turret, equipped with a manually loaded 105mm M68 gun and limited analog systems, with the COCKERILL 3105 offers a substantial leap in battlefield effectiveness. The original turret design, developed in the 1960s, lacks both the precision and protection required for contemporary engagements. By contrast, the 3105 turret is fully stabilized and can fire on the move, engage targets with first-round hit probability at long ranges, and operate with a significantly reduced crew thanks to its autoloader. This drastically increases combat efficiency while lowering exposure risk. Furthermore, the upgrade brings the platform into the digital age, enabling integration into networked command systems and real-time threat-sharing environments.

In exclusive discussions on the exhibition floor, John Cockerill Defense officials underscored the growing demand for hybrid modernization concepts as defense budgets face increasing pressure and the global security environment demands rapid force adaptation. The company’s engineers highlighted that the M60 chassis, once considered obsolete, is proving an ideal host for modern weapon systems due to its mechanical simplicity, robustness, and widespread availability.

This is not the company’s first foray into breathing new life into Cold War steel. In 2024, a similar configuration based on the German Leopard 1 was proposed for European and Latin American users. However, this latest M60-based variant is clearly calibrated for clients with large U.S. legacy fleets, such as Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, and Taiwan. These are states facing a growing need to field modern firepower without depending entirely on foreign MBT deliveries.

The use of the 3105 turret also aligns with the rising global demand for mobile, air-transportable firepower. With a combat weight significantly lighter than a full MBT, an M60 equipped with this turret could theoretically serve rapid reaction forces or support mechanized brigades in environments where logistical constraints make heavier tanks impractical.

While the scale model at EDEX 2025 remains a concept, Cockerill insiders confirmed that discussions with at least two MENA-region militaries are ongoing, and live platform integration is being evaluated for demonstration trials in 2026. Sources within the Belgian defense industry have hinted at potential partnerships with regional armored vehicle integrators to enable local assembly and support for future modernization batches. This would further strengthen the offer's appeal under offset and localization requirements.

In technical terms, the 3105 turret is modular and can be outfitted with secondary armament such as a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun and a remote-controlled 12.7mm machine gun. It also supports active protection systems (APS) and advanced battlefield management systems, giving the M60 a real-time edge on the digital battlefield. The turret’s fire control is stabilized and designed for day/night operations, with targeting capabilities comparable to those found on NATO-standard light tanks such as the CV90 or ASCOD.

For many militaries still dependent on legacy armor, this modernization could be the difference between phased obsolescence and renewed battlefield relevance. In a geopolitical climate marked by fluid alliances, equipment embargoes, and evolving threat spectra, the ability to reconfigure existing armored assets without waiting years for new deliveries presents a powerful strategic option.

John Cockerill’s M60 tank modernization may not mark the return of the Cold War juggernaut to frontline roles, but it certainly signals the beginning of a new chapter for aging steel in modern combat. More than a cost-saving measure, it’s a capability leap that bridges industrial ingenuity with operational necessity and one that may soon reshape how developing nations approach armored warfare in the 21st century.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.