Challenger 3 upgrade includes three phases but ammo requirements remain unclear
Challenger 2 MBT demonstrator armed with latest Rheinmetall 120mm L55A1 smoothbore gun plus new Thales commanders and gunner's stabilised sights. (Photo: RBSL)
There are three distinct phases to the Challenger 3 MBT upgrade plan for the British Army, but the MoD is still considering its 120mm ammunition options.
RBSL (a JV between Rheinmetall and BAE Systems Land) has confirmed that the British Army’s Challenger 3 MBT Life Extension Programme (LEP) will comprise three phases with an expected in-service date of 2027.
The first phase, now underway, covers the building of six pre-series Challenger 3 MBTs at the RBSL facility in Telford.
This will be followed by Phase 2 LRIP of a further 18 units, with Phase 3 being full-rate production of 203 tanks.
The end result will be sufficient to equip two regiments of the Royal Armoured Corps (RAC) plus vehicles for training and reserve.
There
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Land Warfare
-
![DSEI 2025: MBDA introduces NLOS Akeron 120 MBT missile]()
DSEI 2025: MBDA introduces NLOS Akeron 120 MBT missile
The no-line-of-sight (NLOS) missile is MBDA’s latest ammunition offering for main battle tanks (MBTs), with the company foreseeing an entry to market date window for Akeron within the next two years.
-
![DSEI 2025: Teledyne takes wraps off autonomous launch recovery box for drones]()
DSEI 2025: Teledyne takes wraps off autonomous launch recovery box for drones
Teledyne FLIR Defense revealed the SkyPad fully autonomous quadcopter launch and recovery box at AUSA in Washington DC last year. The SkyCarrier is the production version of the system and is designed for the launch and recovery of the company’s SkyRaider and SkyRanger uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs).
-
![New armoured vehicles appear in Vietnam’s 80th anniversary parade]()
New armoured vehicles appear in Vietnam’s 80th anniversary parade
Marking eight decades since Vietnam gained its independence, the Vietnam People’s Army used the procession to showcase two new vehicles.
