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Key Points and Summary: The Challenger 2, a third-generation British main battle tank (MBT), is renowned for its precision and durability. With a rifled 120mm L30A1 gun, it holds the record for the longest tank kill at 3.1 miles.

-First delivered in 1994, it features advanced Chobham/Dorchester armor, night vision, and a stabilized turret system.

-Deployed in Ukraine since 2023, it has been praised for its sniper-like accuracy but criticized for its high maintenance needs and underpowered engine.

-Despite these drawbacks, the Challenger 2 remains a powerful combat platform, actively participating in Ukraine’s Kursk-Oblast offensive against Russian forces.

The Challenger 2 Tank, Britain’s Armored Giant

The Challenger 2 is a third-generation main battle tank (MBT) used by the British Army, Oman, and Ukraine. It is one of the finest tanks in the world today.

Vickers Defence Systems designed and built the Challenger 2 tank in the UK to replace the Challenger 1 in 1986. It has been in service with the British Army since July 1994. Only two have been destroyed in combat by enemy forces while in service with Ukrainian forces. One was destroyed in Iraq when it was hit in a friendly fire incident.

History of the Challenger 2

The Challenger 2 is the third tank in the British Army to carry that name.  The first was the A30 Challenger, built near the end of World War II and manufactured on the successful Cromwell chassis. The second was the Challenger 1, used in the Persian Gulf War era, the British army’s main battle tank (MBT) from the early 1980s to the mid-1990s.

The Challenger 1 replaced the British Chieftain tank, which was plagued by subpar suspension and maintenance issues. The Challenger didn’t perform as hoped. It was only marginally better as a cross-country platform, and its maintenance issues made it unpopular with the troops. It was considered difficult to maintain in the field. 

The British Army wanted a main battle tank to rival the M-1 Abrams, the German Leopard 2, and the French Leclerc designs. Vickers took the Challenger 1 tanks and improved their design. The manufacturer completed nine prototypes by the time of the First Gulf War, and Challenger 1 performed better than expected. 

The first tanks were delivered in 1994. An additional 259 tanks were ordered. The Challenger 1 tanks were shipped to Jordan. 

Three Challenger 2 main battle tanks firing their 120mm guns during a night firing exercise by the Royal Mercian and Lancastrian Yeomanry at Lulworth, Dorset.

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. In Iraq, a Challenger 2 destroyed an Iraqi T-72 from 3.1 miles away. It also has secondary armaments of a 7.62 mm L94A1 chain gun and a 7.62 mm L37A2 machine gun.

Ammunition storage: 50 x 120 mm, 4,000 x 7.62 mm

Engine: Perkins CV12-6A V12 diesel engine, 1,200 horsepower

Fuel capacity: 1,592 liters

Operational range: 550 km on-road, 250 km off-road

Speed: 59 km/h (38 mph)on road, 40 km/h off-road

Weight: 62.5 tons, 75 tons with add-on armor

Dimensions: 8.3 m long, 3.5 m wide, 2.49 m high

Crew: 4 (commander, gunner, loader/operator, driver)

Transmission: David Brown TN54 epicyclical (6 forward/2 reverse gears)

Armor: Chobham/Dorchester Level 2 (composite armor)

The main (120mm) armament fires long rod penetrator and High Explosive Squash Head (HESH) ammunition. 

The commander and gunner have optical and thermal imager sights, including an independent 360ᵒ panoramic sight for the commander. The sighting systems, turret, and 120-mm gun are fully stabilized, enabling rapid target acquisition both when stationary and when on the move.

Challenger 2 Tank. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

Challenger 2 Tank. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

The crew has an NBC protection system, a fire control system, and night vision capability. The Challenger 2 tanks sold to Ukraine have added Slat Armor, or cage systems, to deter drone attacks. The tank has a crew of four: the driver seated in the hull, and the commander, gunner, and loader sitting in the turret. The commander is located on the right side of the turret.

Combat in Ukraine:

The Challenger 2 saw extensive combat in Iraq in 2003, but nothing like what the tank experienced in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Challenger 2 was first seen in combat by Ukrainian forces in June 2023.

Ukrainian forces loved the accuracy of the rifled 120mm L30A1 main gun and equated it to “a sniper rifle among tanks” with its ability to engage Russian armor at a distance. Many consider it superior to the M1A1 Abrams tanks that are also supplied to the Ukrainian armed forces.

Reactions are mixed when it comes to the 1,500-horsepower engine. Some crews believe the powerplant requires too much maintenance in the field, while others think it is too underpowered for cross-country movement. 

Another issue is that the rifled 120mm main gun begins to wear out after about 500 rounds, while the smoothbore 120mm used in the Abrams lasts 1,500 rounds. 

But the Challenger remains a heavyweight that can slug it out with the best the Russians have. In August 2024, the Ukrainian military released that Challenger 2 tanks participated in the ongoing Kursk-Oblast offensive.

Challenger 2 Tank

Army Reservists of the The Royal Wessex Yeomanry (RWxY), the South West’s Army Reserve Cavalry Regiment taking part in Challenger 2 main battle tank live firing exercise.

About the Author: 

Steve Balestrieri is a 19FortyFive National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing for 19FortyFive, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in other military publications.