UK awards Challenger 3 upgrade contract
RBSL aims to keep Challenger 2 battle-ready for the next two decades. (Photo: RBSL)
Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land sign £800m contract with UK MoD to upgrade Challenger 3 main battle tanks.
Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land has been awarded the UK MoD contract to upgrade 148 British Army Challenger 3 main battle tanks.
The programme will make significant enhancements to the vehicle and provide the British Army with a world-class capability, made in the UK.
The upgraded Challenger 3 tanks will be network-enabled, digital main battle tanks with state-of-the-art lethality, upgraded survivability and world-class surveillance and target acquisition capabilities.
The new vehicle will be equipped with a 120mm high-pressure L55A1 main gun, firing the latest kinetic energy antitank rounds and programmable multipurpose ammunition.
The gun is complete with increased first-hit capability and the latest fire support technology.
The new turret structure and improved survivability systems provides the highest standard of protection for the crew.
The long-range commander and gunner primary sights will also be improved with automatic target detection and acquisition.
This solution provides significant growth potential in all main battle tank key capability areas with the new physical, electronic and electrical architecture.
The contract is valued at £800m and the programme will commence in 2021 with an expected in-service date of 2027.
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