At IDEX 2023, a Defense exhibition in Abu Dhabi, UAE, the Belgian company John Cockerill Defense and NIMR from the United Arab Emirates on February 21, 2023, signed a Teaming Agreement to jointly explore opportunities for the development and marketing of the innovative Cockerill i-X, 4x4 Integrated Interceptor Fast Combat Armored Vehicle.

Cockerill i-X 4x4 fast attack vehicle is designed and developed by the Belgian company John Cockerill Defense. (Picture source JCD)

Following the successful launch of the Cockerill i-X in 2022, John Cockerill Defense has completed a series of mobility and live fire trails with the prototype vehicle that is present on the John Cockerill Defense stand, Hall 12, Stand B14, at the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX).

The Cockerill i-X (“i” for “interceptor” and “X” for “modular-multi weapons system) is a new generation of fast attack light 4x4 wheeled vehicle developed and designed by the Belgian-based company John Cockerill Defense.

The Cockerill i-X is fitted with a remotely operated weapon station which is stored inside the vehicle in road condition and can be raised on the roof of the vehicle to perform firing operations. The turret can be armed with one 25mm or 30mm automatic cannon as well as anti-tank weapons. Using a 25mm automatic cannon, the turret can carry 120 ready-to-fire ammunition.

The chassis of the Cockerill i-X is based on the design of an undisclosed US rally car manufacturer that was developed especially for the Dakar race. The hydropneumatic suspension of the chassis has been modified by John Cockerill to increase high-speed mobility in all-terrain conditions. It can also be fitted with a controlled height mechanism.

The vehicle can be powered by a thermal engine developing 750 hp or an 800 hp hybrid thermal-electric engine. It can reach a maximum road speed of 200 km/h and 160 km/h in desert conditions with a maximum cruising range of 600 km. With the thermal engine, the i-X can reach a 100 km/h speed in less than 6 seconds and has a braking distance of 40 m at 100 km/h.

Owing to its very encouraging results, the Cockerill i-X has generated a strong international demand. The agreement between John Cockerill Defense and NIMR will enable the two parties to establish a joint proposal to respond to this demand in the best possible way.

Under the terms of the Teaming Agreement, John Cockerill Defense and NIMR will collaborate exclusively on the next phase, defining a common approach to bring the Cockerill i-X to the market, with John Cockerill Defense’s experience in lethality solutions and NIMR’s experience in mobility solutions being combined to accelerate the process.

The Cockerill i-X Interceptor vehicle is a fusion of our technical excellence of weapon systems and extensive experience in the field of rally raid.

This highly mobile vehicle, combined with the proven firepower of the 25mm as well as advanced artificial intelligence, is an innovative break with traditional concepts and pushes the defense operations limits to new horizon.

Thierry Renaudin, CEO of John Cockerill Defense, said: “We at John Cockerill are enthusiastic to begin working with NIMR. They have shown themselves to be fully committed to the development and production of combat-proven military vehicles. Our joint knowledge and experience will enable us to make the Cockerill i-X the weapon system of the future that will best meet the needs of international armed forces. I look forward to our two companies working together on this exciting project.”

Abri du Plessis, CEO of NIMR, said: “We are delighted to enter this Teaming Agreement with John Cockerill which lays the foundation for collectively strengthening our capabilities and meeting the demand for the Cockerill i-X in key target markets. The Cockerill i-X has performed exceptionally well in a series of trials and tests, demonstrating high speeds on and off-road and technologically-advanced weapon systems. Fostering strategic partnerships is a core priority for EDGE and NIMR, and negotiations will continue to iron out a potential joint venture arrangement in due course.”