Belgiums John Cockerill Defense has used the stage of DSEI 2025 to signal a decisive shift in its strategy, unveiling a significantly expanded turret portfolio and demonstrating new capabilities aimed squarely at countering the rapidly growing drone threat on the modern battlefield. The companys recent acquisition of French armored vehicle manufacturer ARQUUS has enabled it to consolidate its vehicle and turret development under one roof, giving NATO-aligned forces a fully integrated platform solution. This acquisition, one of the most notable moves in the European defense sector this year, positions John Cockerill as a comprehensive provider capable of delivering everything from mobility packages to advanced weapon systems in a unified architecture. At the heart of the companys showcase is the Cockerill Light Weapon Station (CLWS), a compact 25mm cannon system optimized for both manned and unmanned platforms. Its remote-controlled architecture and stabilized fire control system enable precision engagements from light tactical vehicles, robotic systems, and fixed installations. Equipped with a full suite of thermal optics and advanced targeting sensors, the CLWS allows operators to remain protected under armor while maintaining day-and-night combat effectiveness. Its modular structure and low profile also make it suitable for expeditionary forces that need to deploy quickly and operate in contested environments. The CLWS is not merely a conventional remote weapon station. John Cockerill is developing it as the foundation for an upcoming Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (CUAS) capability. Future variants are expected to include 360-degree aerial surveillance, autonomous drone tracking, and layered kinetic and non-kinetic engagement tools. These enhancements will be essential as low-cost quadcopters, loitering munitions, and swarming drone tactics become more common threats to ground forces. Also making its public debut is the Hornet Air Guard, a derivative of the combat-proven Hornet Remote Weapon Station fielded by the French Army. This new configuration introduces a drop-in counter-drone capability for any armored vehicle that can mount a remote weapon station. It features 360-degree detection using radar or acoustic sensors, automated tracking, and direct kinetic engagement with its onboard weapon system. In situations where a kinetic shot is not possible, the system can deploy intelligent smoke screening to break visual and infrared targeting by enemy drones. Crucially, the Hornet Air Guard is designed as a rapid retrofit solution, enabling allied militaries to upgrade existing fleets without major vehicle redesigns. Defense analysts note that this approach reflects a pragmatic balance between innovation and fieldability. By leveraging systems already in service, John Cockerill can shorten deployment timelines and give operators a near-term solution to a problem that has grown exponentially over the past five years. The company has also hinted at incremental upgrades for both systems, including the possibility of integrating electronic warfare modules and even directed-energy weapons as they become practical. The ARQUUS acquisition is another major component of John Cockerills strategy. By bringing vehicle platforms and turret systems under a single industrial framework, the company can offer turnkey solutions to militaries looking to modernize reconnaissance, infantry fighting, and force-protection fleets. This full-spectrum approach aligns with NATOs multi-domain operations concept, where survivability, networked lethality, and rapid mobility must work in unison.