ExpoDefensa 2019: John Cockerill offers its CPWS light turret to upgrade Commando vehicles of Colombian army.

Belgian Company John Cockerill offers its CPWS (Cockerill® Protected Weapon Station) Generation 2 turret to modernize Textron Commando 4x4 armored vehicles of the Colombian army. Back in 2009, Colombia bought its first 39 American Commando vehicles, which is officially known as the ICV (Infantry Carrier Variant) of the M1117.

Belgian Company John Cockerill showcases its CPWS Cockerill® Protected Weapon Station Generation 2 at ExpoDefensa 2019, Defense and Security Exhibition in Bogota, Colombia. December 2, 2019. (Picture source Army Recognition)

The Colombian Army signed a $31.6 m agreement with US-based Textron Marine & Land Systems for 28 Commando advanced APC high mobility 4x4s in July 2013. In 2014, the Colombian Army began receiving the 28 Commando wheeled armored vehicles ordered from the United States (for $1.13 million each) in 2013.

The Commando is a 4x4 armored vehicle and a larger version of the older American M1117 ASVs (Armoured Security Vehicles). All of the APCs are equipped with the TM&LS 40 mm/.50 standard protected manned turret, armed with a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun and 40 mm Mk19 automatic grenade launcher.

To increase the firepower, the Colombian army has launched a program to modernize its fleet of Commando fitted with a turret that can be armed with 25 mm automatic cannon. At ExpoDefensa 2019, Johh Cockerill showcases its CPWS Cockerill® Protected Weapon Station as a solution to upgrade the fleet of Commando vehicles of the Colombian army.

The John Cockerill® CPWS is a remotely operated weapon station that can be armed with a wide range of medium caliber 25 and 30 mm guns. (NG 25mm M242 or 30mm M230LF, Nexter 25mm M811….) It provides light and high mobility vehicles and troop transport vehicles with high fire-power, increasing their capacity for firing support, self-protection and support.

The Cockerill® CPWS turret is equipped with a bi-modal stabilized high performance (thermal) day/night sight for 24-hour use. The aiming system provides the operator with a panoramic 360° vision, independently of the position of the turret. Once locked onto the target, the gun automatically aligns with the aiming system. A ballistics computer guarantees the highest probability of hitting the target when firing on the move.