The United Kingdom accelerates the Challenger 3 tank program

The United Kingdom is accelerating the process of adopting the Challenger 3 tank into service.

Shephard reported on this.

The tank should be adopted in 2025, instead of originally planned 2027. The decision was made amid the war in Ukraine and the accelerated modernization of the UK Army.

Currently, the first batch of Challenger 2 tank hulls is being upgraded to the Challenger 3 level, after which a new turret with the German 120-mm L55A1 gun will be installed on the hull.

Production has already begun on the new turrets, with the official launch of the Challenger 3 upgrade program on March 24, 2022, at Armstrong Works in Newcastle.

The Royal Tank Regiment is expecting its first delivery of Challenger 3 in early 2025. In total, the UK MoD plans to upgrade 147 tanks. The country’s parliament is currently resolving the issue of increasing upgraded tanks.

The upgrade will take place at the new Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) in Telford, which specializes in the production of Boxer armored fighting vehicles, Challenger 3 tanks, and other armored vehicles.

The plant is currently producing Boxer armored fighting vehicles, the first of which were handed over to the British Army on July 12, 2023, at the Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire.

The first armored fighting vehicles became part of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers of the British Army.

The cost of the Challenger 3 program is estimated at $1.17 billion, and the cost of one tank is $5 million.

Modernization of the hull

The Challenger 3 tank will use the hulls from the Challenger 2 tank, which will undergo an in-depth modernization process. The hull will be ultrasonically tested for integrity and quality of welds.

Challenger 3 receives an upgrade to its armor away from the Chobham/Dorchester armor of its predecessor in favor of Dstl’s new Epsom and Farnham modular armor.

The hull will go through the process of extending its life for further use until 2050-60s.

Turret

As mentioned above, the production of the new turrets was organized at Armstrong Works. The turret will receive some structural changes, such as an extended aft section for carrying shells from the tank’s combat compartment.

Challenger 3 was armed with a German L55A1 120mm smoothbore gun with a length of 55 calibers, which can fire unitary shells.

The new turrets are made by welding, not casting, as was the case with Challenger 2.

Like the hull, the turret received the new EPSON armor. It is also possible to integrate the optional Farnham modular armor, as well as the Trophy active protection system.