British developers presented an updated model of the battle tank Challenger 3

< IMG SRC = "/Uploads/Blogs/98/BD/IB-FRFFUSOCPU_240DF4A4.jpg" Alt = "British Developers presented the updated model Challenger 3"/> 62 ~ < P > The British Army will receive the first basic Challenger 3 combat tanks in 2027, after delay caused by disruptions in supply chains. These machines should be replaced by outdated Challenger 2, which have been in service since the late 1990s. In total, 148 out of 213 units of the available fleet will be modernized. The project worth & pound; 800 million is implemented by RheinMetall Bae Systems Land (Rbsl) within the large -scale program of upgrade the UK armored capacity. < p >Challenger 3 is not a completely new platform & mdash; This is a deep modernization of the current Challenger 2. Among the key innovations & mdash; Replacement of 120 mm rifled l30a1 gun with a modern smooth-bore L55A1, which meets NATO standards. This will use a wide range of modern ammunition, including armor -piercing and programmable types. The tank will also get a fully digital electronic architecture that will ensure compatibility with unmanned systems and improve targeting.

< p > in the field of Challenger 3 protection will have a new tower with modular armor and active protection system (APS), which will increase the survivability in modern combat. Improved optical and thermal imaging sights, as well as stabilized panoramic systems will improve the situational awareness of the crew. Modernized suspension and power plant will ensure better patency and mobility in difficult conditions.

< P > The Challenger 3 prototypes have already passed the fire tests in Germany in 2024, and at the end of the same year were transferred to the British military for field tests. Large -scale tests should begin in mid -2025. At the same time, delays in component supply can affect training programs and prompt readiness, forcing the army to operate longer than the outdated challenger 2.

< P > Successful implementation of Challenger 3 is a strategic task for the United Kingdom, which seeks to preserve the leading role in the field of NATO armored. In the world where the risk of high conflict intensity is increasing, the modernization of tank units becomes not only a tactical but also geopolitical necessity.