Turkish company FNSS integrates Belgian Cockerill 3030 turret on Pars Alpha 6x6 to combine high firepower with great transport capacity.

FNSS is participating for the first time in the International Defence and Security Exhibition of Spain (FEINDEF), held from 12 to 14 May 2025 in Madrid. During the event, FNSS presents the Pars III 6x6 Wheeled Armoured Vehicle as well as the conceptual design of the Pars Alpha 6x6, a fire support and reconnaissance vehicle developed for the Turkish Land Forces. The conceptual model is exhibited with a Cockerill Series 3000 two-man 30mm turret, specifically the Cockerill 3030, produced by John Cockerill Defense.
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This new variant is designed to provide fire support and reconnaissance capabilities and accommodates six personnel: a driver, commander, gunner, and three dismounts. (Picture source: FNSS)

The Pars vehicle series, developed by FNSS, includes 4x4, 6x6, and 8x8 configurations and is used in various countries. The 6x6 version has been exported to the Royal Army of Oman in multiple configurations. FNSS is also the sole provider of 6x6 wheeled armoured vehicles to the Turkish Armed Forces, including the Pars IV, Pars Scout, and now the Pars Alpha 6x6. The Pars Alpha 6x6 was selected under the Turkish Land Forces’ New Generation Vehicles Program following a competition and field tests carried out by both the Turkish Ministry of Defence and Turkish Land Forces. The vehicle is the latest derivative of the Pars Alpha 8x8 and is scheduled for delivery in two different variants as part of the program. The contract maintains FNSS’s position as the only 6x6 armoured vehicle supplier for the Turkish Armed Forces.

The Pars Alpha 6x6 is engineered to operate across varied terrains and climate conditions. It features a 6x6 all-wheel-drive system with both front and rear axle steering, and a hydro-pneumatic suspension with adjustable ride height. It is capable of climbing 70% gradients, navigating 40% side slopes, crossing 1.5-meter trenches, and overcoming 0.8-meter vertical obstacles. The vehicle can reach speeds above 115 km/h and has an operational range exceeding 800 kilometers. Its adjustable suspension allows height control to improve road stability or increase ground clearance as required. The platform is designed to maintain mobility even in the event of tire or wheel damage. It is compatible with air, rail, and highway transport and can be airlifted by strategic transport aircraft including the A400M, C-17 Globemaster III, C-5 Galaxy, An-124, and Il-76.

The vehicle includes structural features aimed at increasing protection and crew survivability. Blast-attenuating seats are installed, and the driver and commander are positioned behind the engine and the front axle, which reduces exposure to frontal attacks and mine blasts. Ground clearance can be increased to more than 60 cm to enhance mine protection. Additional systems, including gunshot detection, laser warning receivers, soft- and hard-kill active protection systems, and smoke grenade dischargers, can be integrated based on customer requirements. The vehicle includes a sealed cabin with overpressure and face mask CBRN protection measures, enabling continued operation in contaminated environments. The design combines a low vehicle silhouette with an internal layout that supports modular configurations and mission-specific payloads.

The crew compartment layout differs from traditional designs by placing the commander and driver side-by-side behind the powerpack. This allows for 180-degree direct optical visibility and improves coordination during movement. The vehicle includes a 360-degree situational awareness system using external day and night cameras, integrated displays, and vision systems for both crew and dismounts. This layout supports extended operations with hatches closed and improves communication between onboard personnel. The vehicle is designed to accept a range of manned and remote-controlled turrets, including weapons from 20mm to 90mm and anti-tank guided missiles. It supports both infantry support and reconnaissance operations.

The Cockerill 3030 turret fitted on the conceptual Pars Alpha 6x6 at FEINDEF is part of John Cockerill Defense’s 3000 Series. It is a two-man turret designed for tracked or wheeled 6x6 and 8x8 chassis and is qualified and in production for at least one international customer. The base configuration integrates a 30mm MK44S or XM813 medium-caliber chain gun with a two-drum feed system carrying up to 255 rounds of 30x173mm ammunition. These include U.S. Army-standard munitions, notably the MK310 programmable airburst round. The system also supports optional integration of the 50mm XM913 cannon with minor engineering adjustments. Secondary armament includes a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, with pintle mount options for 7.62mm, 12.7mm, or 40mm automatic grenade launchers.

The turret features dual identical commander and gunner sights, allowing full hunter/killer capability. Both sights are day/night capable, dual-axis stabilized, and compatible with the U.S. Army’s 2nd Generation FLIR as well as other commercial and military sighting systems. Elevation ranges from -10° to +60°. Detection, recognition, and identification ranges are 18/9/5 km for daylight optics and 15/7/3.5 km for thermal imagers. The turret provides protection up to STANAG 4569 Level 5 and includes eight smoke grenade launchers. Additional options include acoustic gunshot detection, laser warning systems, and both soft- and hard-kill active protection systems.

The Cockerill 3030 has been used in U.S. Army developmental programs. In 2015, John Cockerill Defense America (then CMI Defence America) was selected by the U.S. Army DEVCOM Armaments Center (DEVCOM-AC) to participate in the Medium Caliber Armament System Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (MCAS CRADA). As part of this program, a Cockerill 3030 variant armed with the XM813 cannon and integrated subsystems was tested with DEVCOM-AC’s situational-based fire control system. The turret completed over 5,000 rounds of testing, including with MK310 programmable airburst munitions, and provided fire control performance data for further integration. Computer-aided design (CAD) development for integration of the 50mm XM913 is ongoing as part of continued collaboration. The turret is optionally manned and can support two- or three-person crew configurations, with under-armor access for egress and maintenance. It includes modular upgrade paths for future lethality and fire control improvements.

The Cockerill 3030 turret fitted on the conceptual Pars Alpha 6x6 at FEINDEF is a two-man turret designed for tracked or wheeled 6x6 and 8x8 chassis. (Picture source: Army Recognition)