*Christos Loizou

The Greek company EODH once again made a dynamic appearance at the major defence and security conference BATTLEFIELD ReDEFiNED 2024, held in Nicosia on 12–13 December at the Pavilion Hall. The event featured participation from leading defence industry companies from Cyprus, Greece, and abroad, with EODH as one of the main sponsors.

At the conference, EODH presented innovative solutions for upgrading armoured vehicles and introduced new proposals inspired by lessons learnt from recent international conflicts.

Also read: DEFEA 2023 | EODH showcases HOPLITE and Leonidas 300 to the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Cyprus

EODH’s proposals for modernising the vehicles of the National Guard and the Hellenic Army are in line with the lessons learnt from modern conflicts. At the initial presentation, the President of EODH, Mr. Andreas Mitsis, spoke about the lessons learnt from the Ukrainian War regarding the role of armoured personnel carriers on the modern battlefield. 

The company’s President said that the main systems seen in use on the Ukrainian battlefield are tanks, armoured vehicles, artillery, and unmanned systems, while helicopters and fighter jets play a secondary role. The new threats facing armoured vehicles require a holistic approach to ensure their survivability. In this direction, the company developed the ASPIS-integrated armour and protection system.

EODH also presented its innovative proposal for upgrading the Leonidas vehicle of the National Guard. The company’s proposal was presented by Lieutenant General Dimitrios Kyriakos.

EODH’s proposal concerns the conversion of LEONIDAS from an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) to an Armoured Combat Vehicle (ACV). The vehicle upgrade proposal increases the LEONIDAS’ survivability, firepower, and mobility. The upgrade turns LEONIDAS into the modern version, LEONIDAS 300 AIFV.

The LEONIDAS upgrade by EODH includes, among other things, the addition of a new CAT C7.2 engine; the addition of new-generation composite armour protection level 5 according to the Stanag 4569 standard; the upgrade of the vehicle’s anti-mine protection; and the addition of anti-vibration seats. It also includes the upgrade of the vehicle’s electronic systems as well as the addition of a digital network. 

Read also: TOMB “Leonidas” | Its conversion to TOMA with a proposal from EODH

In terms of LEONIDAS firepower, EODH proposes the addition of an unmanned, remote-controlled NIMROD 300/2 or NIMROD 300/1 turret of the Slovenian Valhalla. Armament can include the MK44 30mm machine gun, Oerlikon KCE 30mm, and conjugate machine gun, while optional Spike LR2 or AKERON MP anti-tank guns can be added. There is also the option of adding a launcher for orbiting munitions and short-range anti-aircraft missiles (SHORAD missiles).

Also read: EODH | Attends EUROSATORY 2024 with its new UGV SPECTRE – Collaboration with GEP

EODH states that the whole project only makes sense if it concerns a sufficient number of vehicles to allow the creation of the upgrade line in Cyprus, and at the same time, it will allow the factory modification and upgrade of a number of existing vehicles into specialised versions, such as stretchers, command stations, mobile technical support units, mortar transport vehicles, dealing with unmanned aerial threats, minefield clearing, etc. 

Regarding the anti-drone (Counter-UAS) version, it can have air-burst munitions and an AESA radar. The company stresses that each ulama must include at least one unmanned aerial vehicle (C-UAS) in line with the lessons of the war in Ukraine. As part of the increased survivability of the vessel, EODH also offers Rheinmentall’s ROSY multi-spectral rapid smoke curtain launcher. 

EODH states that the production line proposed to be created will remain after the end of the programme, as a centre for industrial support and upgrading of all types of tanks and armoured vehicles of the National Guard, ensuring their support, at least for a period of 15 years.

Also read: EODH | Milestone agreement with KNDS for the integration of ASPIS NG into Leopard 2A8