FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)

[Jackstar]

[Tempest414]

I have no idea if the point isn’t thread are true or not but the person who was head of the army’s armoured warfare trials and development unit for the past few years until retirement seems to think it’s valid and that good enough for me



He’s been adamant in a number of threads the answer for the UK was leopard.

Maybe 10+ years ago but not right now CH-3 will see us out 15 years or so and then we join a new tank program or not. Leopard , M1 , Leclerc will all come to there end of line at the same time

CH-2 is still a class tank as proven in competition and on the battle field and it now has one last test in Ukraine

Plus to say something has to much Chieftain in it is funny as the Chieftain was one the best tank ever built and would probably still hold its own against a T-72 and maybe with some active armorer a T-90

[Phil Sayers]

Plus to say something has to much Chieftain in it is funny as the Chieftain was one the best tank ever built and would probably still hold its own against a T-72 and maybe with some active armorer a T-90

Maybe about to find out:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2 ... 1f0541dd07

[TheLoneRanger]

Plus to say something has to much Chieftain in it is funny as the Chieftain was one the best tank ever built and would probably still hold its own against a T-72 and maybe with some active armorer a T-90

Maybe about to find out:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2 ... 1f0541dd07

I still dont know why we dont get the Challenger 1's from Jordanian storage and send them to Ukraine after a quick refurb.

[sol]

I still dont know why we dont get the Challenger 1's from Jordanian storage and send them to Ukraine after a quick refurb.

How many of them are actually operational and could they be refurbished? And does Jordan wants to part with them?

It is really hard to find any info about their state or numbers, except the number of those transferred some twenty years ago. Considering that currently Jordan Army has 8 tank battalions, 4 of which are equipped with CR1 and 4 with M60, and its is retiring CR1 while keeping older M60 could give some indications. 4 tank battalions would mean that probably only half of all CR1 transferred are in active units but also that their state is probably not great if Jordan decided to keep older tank model while replacing CR1 with Leclercs and B1 Centauro. And many from whole fleet were probably scrapped to be used as a source for spare parts. Not to mention things like gun barrels or ammo which could also present problem for which there could be very little solutions.

And if only limited number is operational, maybe Jordan would rather to keep them in reserve for every case.

I mean lot of things are not know, so it might not be just that simple as many are thinking.

[NickC]

Desider August - CR3

£20 million contract marks big steps towards Challenger 3 missile protection system

A £20 million contract has been awarded by DE&S to Rafael, securing the hardware for the next phase of tests on a cutting-edge new rocket and missile protection system for the UK’s Challenger 3 tanks.
The Trophy Active Protection System (APS) will be tested and integrated into Challenger 3 to provide enhanced protection against threats, while simultaneously finding the origin of the hostile fire for immediate response. It can locate an incoming rocket or missile in less than a second, destroying it by firing back its own ammunition.
The system has completed three weeks of assessment phase trials on the Challenger 3 representative system with a total 25 shots, including live intercept shots.
The contract will secure the Trophy APS required for the qualification and integration activities involved in the upcoming demonstration phase. David Tomlin, APS lead for the DE&S Land Equipment Operating Centre, said: “Placing this contract will allow the demonstration phase to start in 2024, where the APS system will be qualified and integrated into the Challenger 3 tank.
Securing these Trophy long-lead items is another step forward in securing a worldclass protection system for our soldiers on the front-line.”

[Caribbean]

Interesting comments on the C2s in use in Ukraine

Stand-out for me is the assessment that Russian tanks are designed & intended to assault infantry, whereas the C2 is designed to "destroy machines"

[mr.fred]

I can't help but wonder about the cries about how the CR2 was so hopelessly obsolete.

[Poiuytrewq]

I can't help but wonder about the cries about how the CR2 was so hopelessly obsolete.

Struggling to follow the logic.

The Ukrainians, who are using them for what they were designed for can’t get enough of them whilst the British Army is reducing MBT numbers by 35%.

Apart from not funding defence properly what is the rationale?

[sol]

First CR2 loss in Ukraine recorded today

[Timmymagic]

First CR2 loss in Ukraine recorded today

This is definitely CR2, there is a poster insisting it isn't but its clear they've got confused with the T series tank at the end of the video. What has killed it is unclear. The fact that a car is barreling down the same road might point to it not being mines...the area is clearly under very heavy artillery bombardment.

[O5C4R]

Left hand side road wheels displaced / blown off. Left hand side de-tracked. Turret displaced with burning occurring around the turret ring - seemingly internally.

Large amounts of black smoke coming from forward left hand side between driver position / ammo storage and track area.
Engine not burning - Fuel drums either in situ or displaced but not ignited.

Suspect artillery has disabled then further rounds may have impacted near or on the vehicle.

[sol]

Looks like all the crew survived

[Ian Hall]

[Tempest414]

So I have seen the video it looks bad but do we know that it was destroyed or was it just put out of action could it be dragged back worked on and sent out again

[TheLoneRanger]

So I have seen the video it looks bad but do we know that it was destroyed or was it just put out of action could it be dragged back worked on and sent out again

Unlikely it can be repaired - but the area is under Ukranian control - so Ukraine should be able to tow it back.

Good to see the C2 do what they made for - to take on the Russians. The Russians have lost over 2,300 tanks in this war so far - so a single C2 ( word another may have been lost are irrelevant in the grand scheme of things).

Hopefully we can backfill that lost tank as there is a trained C2 tank crew who will be keen on a new mount.

[sol]

So I have seen the video it looks bad but do we know that it was destroyed or was it just put out of action could it be dragged back worked on and sent out again

Even if salvageable it would require partial or complete refurbishment. So it would not be back very soon if at all.

Hopefully we can backfill that lost tank as there is a trained C2 tank crew who will be keen on a new mount.

Highly unlikely new one will be transferred. Two out of three UK armoured regiments are seriously under strength due lack of operational tanks.

[Poiuytrewq]

Highly unlikely new one will be transferred. Two out of three UK armoured regiments are seriously under strength due lack of operational tanks.

As the Abrams start to arrive surely the need to send more CH2 is drastically reduced?

[sol]

As the Abrams start to arrive surely the need to send more CH2 is drastically reduced?

Ukrainians themself asked for delay in delivery of Abrams and extension of training for crews in Germany. First Leo 1s are sent and the rest is slowly to follow but again there is a problem with training crews as Denmark has to pull 3 Leo 1s from various museums to be able to train Ukrainians crews. So not sure how more tanks now would help if Ukraine is struggling to properly train enough men to operate them.

[SKB]

(Forces News) 9th October 2023

Getting the UK's heavy armour from A to B takes a handful of specialists and kit.

Heavy equipment transporter (HET) vehicles and their seven-axle trailers are used for transporting armoured vehicles, like the Challenger 2 tank, which weighs 62.5 tonnes (75.0 tonnes when combat ready with add-on armour modules).

Ten chains, following a strict tiedown scheme, are used to hold the tank in place on the trailer before it is raised up using a hydraulics system.

After final checks, it is piggybacked onto civilian roads.

[sol]

Apparently first two CR3 prototypes are expected to be delivered before armour conference in Twickenham, scheduled for 22-25 January

Q226

Mr Jones: You are supposed to have the two first demonstrations on
Challenger 3 by Christmas, but I am told they will not be achievable by
then.

General Sir Patrick Sanders: I am not hearing that. I am expecting to
see those two prototypes at Twickenham for the armoured vehicle
conference in January

https://committees.parliament.uk/oralev ... 13758/pdf/

[Jackstar]

Challenger 2's in Germany.

[sol]

All 1000 new wheels for CR2 are delivered ahead of schedule

[SW1]

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/26509818/ ... ks-russia/