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Challenger 3
Challenger 3 MBT
Main Battle Tank RBSL - United Kingdom
Description
The Challenger 3 is a new British Main Battle Tank (MBT) developed and designed by the company Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL), a joint venture between the United Kingdom’s BAE Systems and Germany's Rheinmetall AG for military vehicle design, manufacture, and support. It is a modernized version of the British Challenger 2. The British Ministry of Defence (MoD) initiated the Challenger 2 Life Extension Programme (LEP) to address the need for upgrading and extending the service life of the Challenger 2 tank, which had been in service since the late 1990s. The Challenger 3 features several advanced upgrades and improvements, making it a formidable platform on the modern battlefield. In May 2021, the British MoD (Ministry of Defense) announced an order for 148 Challenger 3 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) as part of an £800 million contract with RBSL. The Challenger 3 will offer more mobility, protection, and firepower. The Challenger 3 has an all-new turret with an improved hull. The most significant change from Challenger 2 to Challenger 3 is the replacement of the Challenger's main armament from a 120mm L30A1 Rifled main gun to the 120mm L55A1 smoothbore gun. The first Challenger 3 is planned to enter into service with the British army by 2030. The Challenger 3 MBT is expected to serve as the backbone of the British Army's armored forces in the coming decades, replacing the aging Challenger 2 tanks fleet. On January 18, 2024, British Company Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) revealed the signing of a pivotal contract with the UK Ministry of Defence to equip the Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank with a new, advanced modular armor system. This significant development, born from the collaboration between Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) experts and RBSL, promises to enhance the survivability of the Challenger 3 against formidable threats on the battlefield. On January 23, 2024, RBSL announced the delivery of the first pre-production Challenger 3 tank to the British Army for trials.
- No variants at this time.
Technical Data
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Specifications
 Type |  Crew |
 Main Battle Tank |  4 |
 Service Since |  Number in service |
 Planned for 2030 |  148 |
 Weapons Traverse |  Weapons Elevation |
 360° |  - 9° to + 20° |
 Dimensions |  Weight |
 Length: 11.5 m; Width: 3.5 m; Height: 2.5 m |  66,000 kg |
 Country producer |  Countries user |
 United Kingdom |  United Kingdom |
Details View
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Pictures - Video