Cockerill iX Armored Car: A Breakthrough or a Useless Concept
Cockerill iX armored vehicle with weapons in combat position
Several years ago, the Belgian company John Cockerill Defense proposed an original concept for a multi-purpose armored vehicle. The project, designated Cockerill iX, was further developed and reached full-scale testing of the prototype. In the conditions of the testing ground, the prototype armored vehicle demonstrates its characteristics and also shows the potential of the solutions used.
Concept for the exhibition
In March 2022, the World Defense Show was held in Saudi Arabia. At this event, John Cockerill Defense presented its new interesting project. In essence, it was a concept of a promising multi-purpose armored vehicle, which combined several new solutions and technologies.
An experimental armored vehicle called the Cockerill iX was shown in the exhibition pavilion. The letter "i" stood for Interceptor, and "X" indicated the possibility of installing various weapons and equipment to solve certain tasks. According to the developers, this combat vehicle should "intercept", detect and fire at various targets on the ground and in the air.
The armored car had an unusual futuristic appearance. In addition, some layout and technical solutions attracted attention. It was claimed that these were not design refinements, but full-fledged design innovations.
The unusual-looking machine predictably attracted the attention of visitors to the exhibition. However, the developer was in no hurry to bring it to the market and offer it to customers. In the near future, it was planned to conduct the necessary tests, make adjustments, etc.
However, even then John Cockerill Defense made very optimistic assessments. It was assumed that in the future the iX vehicle or equipment based on it would be able to find its place on the international market. In addition, new ideas from this project could influence the development of the entire armored vehicle sector.
Potential customers
In 2022, the prototype iX armored vehicle was put to the test. Under proving ground conditions, it demonstrated its main tactical and technical characteristics. In addition, new technologies and solutions were tested in practice. Probably, at this stage, it was possible to identify and correct design flaws.
In February 2023, John Cockerill Defense unveiled the upgraded armored vehicle at the IDEX exhibition in the UAE. At the same time, they announced the start of cooperation with the Emirati company Nimr Automotive LLC. The two organizations were going to work together to bring the iX vehicle to serial production and promote it on the international market.
In May 2023, it became known that the French Ministry of Defense was interested in the iX armored vehicle. In the coming months, the prototype was planned to be sent to a French testing ground for the necessary tests. The developer viewed these events in a positive light and assumed that an order could be placed based on the test results.
The French army has carried out the necessary measures, but their results have not yet been published. What conclusions were made based on the results of the testing, and whether France will purchase Belgian armored vehicles, is unknown.
At the end of the same 2023, the iX product was officially presented to the Belgian armed forces. The Belgian Ministry of Defense showed interest and wanted to conduct tests as well. They were going to start them in the coming months, after receiving the prototype armored vehicle.
In early June 2025, the tests were announced to be complete. The Belgian Army has studied the vehicle provided and is now drawing conclusions. What decisions will be made as a result of this process is still unknown. John Cockerill Defense is predictably optimistic, but this may not be based on real grounds.
Thus, a little more than three years have passed since the first presentation of the Cockerill iX armored vehicle, and during this time it has managed to interest only two potential customers. In both cases, the talk is only about testing, but not about signed contracts. It is unknown whether orders will appear in the near future.
New solutions
The aim of the Cockerill iX project was to create a new armoured vehicle with a number of special features and improved characteristics. It was supposed to improve driving characteristics, increase efficiency, and also provide higher combat qualities in comparison with existing equipment of this class. New solutions were proposed for almost all of these tasks.
It was reported that the armored car was based on a modified racing car of an unnamed model, which had previously participated in the Paris-Dakar rally. Cockerill reworked the power plant, strengthened the chassis and made other changes. All this allowed it to achieve the necessary load capacity and maintain high driving performance.
The prototype armored vehicle received a gasoline engine with a capacity of 750 hp. However, already at the first presentation they talked about plans to introduce a hybrid power plant with a capacity of 800 or 1000 hp. The all-wheel drive chassis received an independent hydropneumatic suspension with the ability to control the clearance.
With the help of a hybrid propulsion system, the iX will be able to reach speeds of up to 200 km/h on the highway or up to 150-160 km/h on terrain such as a sandy desert. The design of the chassis will provide high cross-country ability. The power reserve with the internal combustion engine was estimated at 600 km. On batteries - no more than 50 km.
The iX project developed an original armored hull with a distinctive appearance. It should protect the crew from 7,62 mm machine gun bullets (level 2 according to STANAG 4569) and 8 kg of TNT under the wheel or bottom (level 3). The nose of the hull contains the main units of the power plant. Behind the engine compartment there is a two-seater habitable compartment, and the remaining volumes were given over to the payload. Thus, the experimental armored car carries a combat module of an original design.
The advertising materials mention some "adaptive stealth technologies" used in the project. These include a distinctive hull design that reflects electromagnetic radiation, a retractable combat module, the ability to move quietly on electric traction, etc.
Commander-operator's workplace
The crew cabin has all the necessary equipment to control the vehicle and monitor the operation of the mechanisms. At the same time, bolder solutions are also offered. Thus, augmented / virtual reality glasses are intended for the crew. They can display a video signal from cameras along the perimeter of the hull or from the combat module. This solution dramatically improves visibility and situational awareness.
The iX armored vehicle can also carry a sophisticated electronics system for navigation, fire control, communication with other vehicles or command, etc. The exact composition of the equipment must be determined by the customer, taking into account their needs.
The vehicle's high automation allowed the crew to be reduced to two people. The armored vehicle is controlled by a driver and a commander-operator. There is no need for a separate gunner or other crew members.
The Cockerill iX armored car received an original combat module. Its mobile base with horizontal aiming drives is placed inside the vehicle hull. On the base is a swinging part with barrel armament and optics. The swinging unit is equipped with a complex-shaped casing. In the traveling position, the module is lowered inside the hull, and its casing lies on the roof of the armored car.
The armored car can carry a 25 or 30 mm cannon with up to 120 rounds of ammunition. It also has a normal or large caliber machine gun and boxes for 400-600 rounds. The ammunition is stored under the combat module inside the hull. A hinged hatch in the rear of the hull is used to load the ammunition. With certain modifications, grenade launchers or missiles.
Looking for customers
Thus, the Belgian company John Cockerill Defense decided to revolutionize the armored vehicle industry a few years ago. It took the existing concept of such a vehicle as a basis, but significantly changed it and implemented it using new solutions and components.
The result is an unusual looking iX armored vehicle with several interesting features. It is claimed that it can be used in various fields and solve various tasks. At the same time, such a vehicle should show advantages over other armored vehicles.
With the help of such technical superiority, they were going to attract potential customers and get lucrative contracts. However, they have not achieved much success in this regard. In three years, only two countries wanted to test the iX armored car, and neither of them has made a final decision.
The French and Belgian armies are likely to be interested in the promised performance gains and new capabilities. At the same time, they must take into account the significant novelty of the project and the associated technical risks. In addition, potential customers must assess whether the Cockerill iX meets the constantly evolving requirements for such vehicles.
In its proposed form, the armored car from John Cockerill Defense is of some interest, at least technically. However, the practical value of such a product is still in question, and it must be confirmed by various tests. Without this, the iX machine risks remaining another concept that has not gone beyond exhibitions.
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