![]()
Challenger2 tank The Challenger 2 is the United Kingdom’s premier main battle tank (MBT), serving as the backbone of the British Army’s armored forces since its introduction in the 1990s. In 1999 Forecast International rated the world’s tanks, and the fifth place finish [after the Leopard 2, M1A2 Abrams, Japanese Type-90 and the Leclerc] was the . Challenger 2 tank is equipped with an L30, 120mm rifled tank gun from BAE Systems Land Systems (formerly RO Defence). The British main battle tank has a price per unit of L4,217,000. Challenger 2 is the Main Battle Tank in service with the British Army and with the Royal Army of Oman. [4][5] It was designed by Vickers Defence Systems (now Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL)) as a private venture in 1986, and was an extensive redesign of the company's earlier Challenger 1 tank. Challenger 2 FV4034 main variants: - Challenger 2 with add-on armor - Challenger 2E: for the export version - Challenger 2 TES: also nicknamed Megatron is the latest generation of British Main Battle Tank (MBT) in the Challenger 2 family Mar 10, 2024 · A Ukrainian Challenger 2 tank and one of its crew / Photo credit: Peter Jordan, The Sun. In January 2004, Land Systems was awarded a contract to develop a new smoothbore 120mm gun for the British Army Challenger tanks. Renowned for its exceptional durability, protection, and accuracy, the Challenger 2 is engineered to withstand the rigors of modern combat, with its design focusing on Challenger 2 BATUS live firing tests range, without markings. Feb 7, 2024 · With its fuel tanks full, the Challenger 2 has an effective operational range of 340 miles — though that drops if the tank is operating off-road. The Challenger 2 is the third vehicle of this name, the first being the A30 Challenger, a World War II design using the Cromwell tank chassis with a 17-pounder gun. May 14, 2024 · The Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (MBT) represents the current standard tracked combat vehicle of the British Army. Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank. It was designed and built by the British company Vickers Defence Systems (now known as BAE Systems Land & Armaments). Whilst its primary role is to destroy or neutralise armour, Challenger 2 can operate across a spectrum of high intensity conflict, counter insurgency The regiments are called The Queen’s Royal Hussars, The King’s Royal Hussars, The Royal Tank Regiment, and The Royal Wessex Yeomanry which is the reserve regiment. The gearbox is a David Brown TN54 epicyclical transmission with 6 forward and 2 reverse gears. The British Challenger 2 Tank Mobility The British Challenger 2 Tank Powerpack. Challenger 2 TES outside Basra, Iraq, 2008, Black Horse Royal Dragoons, with Dorchester armour. The Challenger 1 tanks were shipped to Jordan. A Russian drone knocked out one Challenger 2 on the eastern edge of the invasion zone. This is all the gen on Britain’s tanks. Challenger 2 MBT entered service with the British army starting with 1998. Feb 1, 2024 · If you’re wondering why there’s scant evidence of Ukraine’s British-made Challenger 2 tanks doing any actual fighting in Russia’s 23-month wider war on Ukraine, a recent interview with one A total of approximately 447 Challenger 2 main battle tanks have been manufactured by Alvis plc (BAE Systems Land & Armaments since 2004) between 1993 and 2002. Challenger 2. 1 miles away. Challenger 2 fitted with dozer blade with KFOR, Bosnia Herzegovina 1997. Vickers Defence Systems began to develop a successor to Challenger 1 as a private venture in 1986. The FV4034 Challenger 2 (MoD designation "CR2") is a third generation British main battle tank (MBT) in service with the armies of the United Kingdom, Oman, and Ukraine. Apr 6, 2025 · An additional 259 tanks were ordered. Challenger 2 wit Dorchester ERA and additional dust skirts in Iraq, 2003. It has a 450km on road and 250km cross country capability. The main gun is a 120mm L30A1 designed primarily Jul 7, 2006 · British Army Challenger 2 tanks were deployed on active service in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Aug 28, 2020 · With talk of the Royal Armoured Corps' 227 Challenger 2 tanks being mothballed, BFBS explores what exactly makes up the UK’s armoured contingent of main battle tank and hears from experts as to whether discussions around the obsolete nature of this genre of warfare are fair. In July 2004, the UK Ministry of Defence announced plans for a reduction of seven Challenger 2 armoured squadrons (about 100 tanks) by March 2007 and the change of role of one Challenger 2 regiment to an armoured reconnaissance regiment. It can reach a maximum road speed of 59km/h on road and 40km/h off-road, but the Ukrainian tankers said they would have liked an even more punchy powerpack. [6] The Ministry of Defence Nov 25, 2024 · The Challenger 2 is powered by a Perkins CV12-6A V12 diesel, delivering 1,200 bhp. In Iraq, a Challenger 2 destroyed an Iraqi T-72 from 3. Challenger 2 driver Maksym pointed out how Western-supplied equipment is a priority target for the Russians. Omani Challenger 2, as of today. The second was the Persian Gulf War era Challenger 1, which was the British army's main battle tank (MBT) from the early 1980s to the mid-1990s. Each regiment operates 56 Challenger 2 tanks and a similar number of supporting vehicles in tasks such as reconnaissance and ammunition supply. May 11, 2025 · On march 4, 2023, it was announced that UK will donate a new batch of 14 Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine. The type represents the pinnacle of British armor development due to its perfect combination of mobility, firepower, and armor protection - key qualities of any modern fighting machine. Challenger 2 is heavily armoured and highly mobile, designed for use in direct fire zones. Challenger 2 Design and Specs: The Challenger 2 gets its firepower from its rifled 120mm L30A1 main armament, which holds the distance record for destroying an enemy tank. Mar 20, 2020 · Challenger 2 main battle tank armament. Undoubtedly, the standout feature of the Challenger 2 is its L30A1 rifled 120mm gun, a unique asset in its class, dominated by smoothbore guns used on all other tanks, whether Western or Soviet. The CR2’s 1200bhp is generated by a Perkins CV12 26 litre diesel engine. It also has Aug 16, 2024 · Ex-British Challenger 2 Tanks Roll Into Kursk As Ukraine’s Invasion of Russia Grinds Into Its 11th Day. The FV4034 Challenger 2 is a British Main Battle Tank (MBT) in service with the Armies of the United Kingdom and Oman.