Land systems
UK. The first pre-production vehicle was sent to Germany for a small number of trials that use Rheinmetall proprietary ammunition, which would not be cost-effective to clear on UK ranges for important but limited trial use. The remainder of the Challenger 3 prototypes will undergo full trialling in the UK, including firing trials. 19 March 2024 – Challenger 3 will have the Caterpillar CV12 9A engine, which produces 1,200hp. 21 March 2024 – The Challenger 3 main battle tank’s core weight will be approximately 66 tonnes, although the anticipated all-up weight of the deployable configuration is withheld as its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces. 1 May 2024 – The Challenger 3 main battle tank programme is the first British-built tank in 22 years and supports hundreds of UK jobs in Telford, Gateshead, Bristol and Bovington. Over 60% of the value of the Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) contract will utilise the UK supply chain. 11 October 2024 – The Challenger 3 programme is an important programme and is on schedule to achieve initial operating capability in 2027 and full operating capability in 2030. The strategic defence review will guide future capability development priorities, to ensure the UK is both secure at home and strong abroad – now and for the years to come.
11 October 2024 – During his visit to army HQ on 19 September, the secretary of state for defence met members of the army board and discussed a range of issues including the army’s Equipment Plan supporting the army’s
modernisation. The Challenger 3 programme remains an important programme and remains on schedule to achieve initial operating capability in 2027 and full operating capability in 2030. 28 October 2024 – As announced by the secretary of state for defence, the British Army will deploy Challenger 3 tanks to Nato’s eastern border along with armoured vehicles in future years. However, details relating to the fielding plan for Challenger 3 are yet to be confirmed. 16 December 2024 – Through the Armour Main Battle Tank programme, expenditure for Challenger 3 main battle tank delivery as of 13 December 2024 is around £421.167m.
British Army: Challenger 3 As the British Army sought to address a number of obsolescence issues and modernise its vehicle fleets, attention turned to the venerable but ageing Challenger 2, in service since 1998 and in need of either an upgrade or outright replacement. Most problematic of all was the uniqueness of the Challenger 2’s main gun, a rifled L30A1 that no other force in Nato operated. The solution was to find a way to bring into service the Rheinmetall’s L55A1 120mm smoothbore gun that has become ubiquitous throughout the alliance. Options were discussed, with the decision taken to upgrade a portion of the small fleet of Challenger 2 MBTs to the Challenger 3 variant. The outcome of the strategic defence review initiated by the new UK Labour government, due to be released after press time, will likely provide clarity on a plethora of procurement programmes, with every expectation that some will be altered, or potentially axed, with significant defence cuts already having taken place. ●
Defence & Security Systems International /
www.defence-and-security.com 7
The British Army is seeking to address a number of obsolescence issues and modernise its vehicle fleets.
Martin Hibberd/
Shutterstock.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29
