UK agrees parallel development and production process for British Army Challenger 3
RBSL Challenger 3 undertakes first crewed firing trials at a UK range. (Photo: Rheinmetall)
In a bid to accelerate delivery of the British Army’s Challenger 3 main battle tank, which has just carried out its first crewed firings with the latest Rheinmetall 120mm L55A1 smoothbore gun, the UK has opted for an unconventional approach.
The UK government has given the green light for production of the British Army’s Challenger 3 main battle tank (MBT) to run concurrently with the ongoing development of the platform, a strategy out of the ordinary in an effort to meet an Initial Operating Capability (IOC) of 2027. Details of the plan were disclosed to Shephard at this week’s Defence IQ International Armoured Vehicles conference.
While the go-ahead for production would not normally be given until all of the development work had been completed, the decision to overlap is being seen as a calculated risk as Challenger 3 has a very tight
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Land Warfare
-
![US DoD task force’s DroneHunter acquisition lays groundwork for Replicator 2 CUAS strategy]()
US DoD task force’s DroneHunter acquisition lays groundwork for Replicator 2 CUAS strategy
As the US Department of Defense looks to counter the growing threat of uncrewed aerial systems to improve homeland security, the DroneHunter acquisition could point to future commercial innovation.
-
![Norway opts for Hanwha’s Chunmoo for long-range fires under $2 billion deal]()
Norway opts for Hanwha’s Chunmoo for long-range fires under $2 billion deal
The selection of Hanwha’s K239 Chunmoo long-range precision fires system, with a contract expected to be signed on 30 January, makes Norway the second European country to choose the system. It is expected an operational system will be in service within four years.
-
![Land forces review: Tanks, trucks and IFVs dominate but woes remain for Ajax]()
Land forces review: Tanks, trucks and IFVs dominate but woes remain for Ajax
This year has begun with main battle tanks taking the lead while orders for large logistics and support vehicles continued from last year. Additionally, two of the British Army’s most significant contracted vehicle programmes, Ajax reconnaissance vehicle and Challenger 3 tank, continued to make news in January.
