Real firing of the British Army’s future highly lethal Battle Carrier – the Challenger 3 – took place in Germany this week, witnessed by UK Defense Procurement Minister James Cartlidge.
With advanced survivability and devastating firepower, the Challenger 3 boasts an impressive array of cutting-edge technology, making it the most lethal and survivable tank ever operated by the British Army.
The actual firing took place in northern Germany, following Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s visit to Berlin yesterday, where he announced a joint effort to develop 155 mm wheeled artillery systems with remote-controlled howitzers (RCH 155), which will be installed on Boxer vehicles.
The UK and Germany are the two largest economies in Europe, and Germany is our largest trading partner on the continent, with bilateral trade worth 147.7 billion pounds last year.
The Challenger 3 is being produced by Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) under an £800 million contract, creating a number of highly skilled roles, with almost 300 jobs generated within RBSL, including 130 engineers and 70 technicians, with an additional 450 jobs worldwide. UK.
The live qualification firings involved the first Challenger 3 tank firing at targets from various distances to ensure accuracy. They are being led by RBSL UK and Rheinmetall and are using Rheinmetall’s tests for consistency with NATO Reference Standards for the new weapons and ammunition.
This important milestone follows Defense Secretary Grant Shapps seeing the latest of eight Challenger 3 prototypes at the Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land factory in Telford last week.
Defense Procurement Minister James Cartlidge said:
The Challenger 3 is an impressive, state-of-the-art tank. It will be crucial to the Army’s combat capability and the UK’s contribution to NATO, while also acting as a deterrent to our adversaries.
Actual firings and production progress are testament to the talent of our defense industry, helping to equip our soldiers with one of the world’s most lethal tanks and creating hundreds of skilled jobs at home in the process.
Providing the Army’s main battle tank, the Challenger 3 will remain in service until at least 2040. This third iteration of the Challenger series includes a state-of-the-art turret with a more capable smoothbore cannon, which is compatible with the most lethal tanks. NATO ammunition is available, as well as improved sensors, advanced armor and an Active Protection System.
Challenger 3 Technical Data
- Main armament Rheinmetall 120mm RH L55A1 smoothbore cannon
- Ammunition All series qualified for the L55A1
- Armor Second generation Chobham armor
- Trophy active protection system
- Improved Hydrogas suspension system
- Weight 66,000kg
- Planned quantity 148 units
Entry into service 2030.