As reported in the UK Defense Journal, the Ministry of Defense of Great Britain confirmed the continued progress of the main combat program of the Challenger 3 tank. Parliamentary Deputy Minister of Defense Luke Pollard explained that the Challenger 3 will reach initial readiness by 2027 and full readiness by 2030.
The Ministry of Defense will regularly provide updated information to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance and the Secretary of State for Defence, with a comprehensive final report expected by mid-2025. This review aims to ensure that the UK's defense infrastructure meets current and future requirements.
The Challenger 3, developed by the Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) joint venture, is an upgrade of the existing Challenger 2 tanks, rather than the deployment of entirely new vehicles. The program evolved from the Challenger 2 Life Extension Program (LEP), designed to increase mobility, lethality and survivability for continued use into the 2030s. The main modification of the Challenger 3 is the integration of a new turret with the L55A1 120mm smoothbore gun, which replaces the previous L30A1 rifled gun. This modification meets NATO standards, improving interoperability, although it requires the development of a new kinetic energy projectile in cooperation with Germany, as the smoothbore system is incompatible with the current Challenger 2 ammunition.
Initial deliveries of pre-production Challenger 3 tanks began in early 2024, and combat trials began in Germany in April. It is planned that the British army will receive a total of 148 tanks, and the first units will enter service in 2025. The project has an estimated cost of approximately US$1.17 billion and is expected to create around 300 jobs at RBSL's Telford plant and an additional 450 jobs. across the UK defense supply chain.
200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000Upgrades to the Challenger 3 include a digital electronic architecture, an improved third-generation hydrogas suspension for mobility, and an improved fire control system. The tank is also equipped with modernized aiming systems for the commander and gunner, including an improved thermal imager. While the adoption of smoothbore weapons poses a problem of ammunition compatibility, the Ministry of Defense is working with German defense companies to develop a new projectile with enhanced kinetic energy (EKE) that is suitable for both the Challenger 3 and Leopard 2 tanks.
The Challenger tank series has a long history, starting with the first Challenger during World War II, followed by the Challenger 1 in the 1980s, and then the Challenger 2, which saw action in the 2003 Iraq War. The Challenger 3 continues this progress with modular armor upgrades and advanced survivability features including Active Protection Systems (APS). In addition, the Challenger 3 is equipped with a 26.1-liter V12 Perkins CV12-9A diesel engine. The engine has a power of 1500 hp. and uses a David Brown Santasalo TN54E transmission system with upgraded components.
The development of the Challenger 3 reflects the UK's approach to modernizing its existing fleet of tanks rather than purchasing new models from other countries. In its 2021 report, the Select Committee on Defense highlighted problems in the LEP, including budget overruns and delays. Later that year, Defense Secretary Ben Wallace confirmed that the UK would upgrade 148 Challenger 2 tanks to Challenger 3 models under an £800m contract with RBSL. This contract confirmed the choice of Rheinmetall's proposal for the upgrade, which includes a 120mm smoothbore gun.