British Army’s Challenger 3 undertakes qualification firings in Germany
The Challenger 3 MBT undertook live fire trials in Germany. (Photo: MoD/Crown Copyright)
The Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank (MBT), which will be delivered to the British Army by Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) under an £800 million (US$1 billion) contract, will stay in service beyond 2040.
The first live firings of the British Army’s next generation Challenger 3 MBT took place on 24 April with the platform firing rounds at targets from a range of distances to ensure accuracy.
Trials of the tank have been led by RBSL UK and Rheinmetall using the latter’s ranges in Germany for consistency with NATO Reference Standards for the latest 120mm L55A1 smooth bore gun and its suite of ammunition.
The firing trials followed an announcement earlier this month of the latest Challenger 3 tanks finalising production in Telford and the establishment of a joint endeavour to develop Remote-Controlled Howitzer 155mm (
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Land Warfare
-
![Europe’s eastern flank moves on air defence radars with wider efforts also underway]()
Europe’s eastern flank moves on air defence radars with wider efforts also underway
Air defence radars have become more important assets in the past year with incursions in NATO countries on Europe’s eastern flank highlighting the need.
-
![Australia’s SM-2 land trial could reshape ADF medium-range air defence plans]()
Australia’s SM-2 land trial could reshape ADF medium-range air defence plans
The first ground launch of the SM-2 could offer Canberra a path to expand its missile defence capability by adapting systems already fielded across the ADF.
-
![New teams form to compete for British Army Land Rover replacement]()
New teams form to compete for British Army Land Rover replacement
The UK’s Land Mobility Programme Light Mobility Vehicle requirement is designed to replace the British Army’s ageing fleet of Land Rovers with a vehicle with a Gross Vehicular Mass of less than 3,500kg. It could be for as many as 6,000 vehicles.
