Summary: The British military faces significant challenges, with dwindling resources and the British Royal Navy overextending its budget on two large aircraft carriers. The British Army's ground forces are at a historic low, relying on aging Challenger 2 tanks, 14 of which have been sent to Ukraine. The UK is considering retiring these tanks for a new Main Battle Tank (MBT), the Challenger 3, developed by Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land. The Challenger 3, set to replace the Challenger 2 in the mid-2020s, boasts improvements in firepower, armor, mobility, and technology. It features a new 120mm smoothbore gun, advanced modular armor, and enhanced mobility with a modern engine. Additionally, the Challenger 3 includes upgraded electronics and sensors for better situational awareness.

Britain’s military is in dire straits. A declining force increasingly unable to meet its diminishing obligations, the British Royal Navy blew its limited funds on two massive aircraft carriers that it cannot seem to afford in the long-term. Meanwhile, the British ground forces are at their smallest levels, possibly at any time in the history of Britain’s military.

For many years, the Ministry of Defense (MOD) had wanted to enhance its tank force. It had relied upon the Challenger 2 tanks, but these were ready to be phased out. Fourteen Challenger-2 tanks were sent to Ukraine to aid in Kiev’s war against Russia. Beyond that, though, the British military is retiring these systems. 

So, unless London agrees to give a far more substantial number of these tanks to Ukraine, the Challenger 2’s will be retired and Britain will need a new Main Battle Tank (MBT).

The Challenger 3 Will Be Great

Enter the Challenger 3 MBT.

The Challenger 3 tank is the latest iteration of the British Army's main battle tank, designed and built by Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL). 

It is expected to enter service in the mid-2020s and will replace the current Challenger 2 tank, which has been in service since the late 1990s.

The Challenger 3 is an upgraded version of the Challenger 2, with improvements in firepower, protection, mobility, and situational awareness. One of the key upgrades is the replacement of the current 120mm rifled gun with a new 120mm smoothbore gun, which will allow the tank to fire a wider range of ammunition types and engage targets at longer ranges.

In terms of protection, the Challenger 3 features a new modular armor system that is more advanced than that of its predecessor. It also has enhanced protection against mines and improvised explosive devices, as well as improved defense against anti-tank guided missiles. It should be noted that the Challenger 3 is upgrading from an already superior form of tank armor.

Its predecessor, the Challenger 2 was one of the best protected tanks in the world, thanks largely to its composite “Dorchester” armor.

The Challenger 3 is powered by a new, engine that provides increased mobility and agility on the battlefield. It also features advanced electronics and sensors, including a digital fire control system, thermal imagers, and advanced communications systems that provide the crew with improved situational awareness and targeting capabilities.

Challenger 3: On Time and Under Budget

According to the UK Defence Journal, “the Challenger 3 battle tank programme [sic] has achieved a noteworthy feat by being ahead of schedule and within budget.”

The nearly $1 billion Challenger 3 program commenced in 2021 with a goal of delivering 148 units within the decade. The Challenger 3 could revolutionize Britain’s tank force and, if the MOD’s report from last year is accurate, and the tank program remains within budget and on schedule, it might be one of the few British military programs that isn’t struggling to survive.

Overall, the Challenger 3 is designed to be a highly capable and versatile main battle tank that will provide the British Army with a cutting-edge armored fighting vehicle for years to come. Its combination of firepower, protection, mobility, and advanced technology make it a formidable asset on the modern battlefield. 

If the British can make it work and get all the units they need on time, this weapons platform could be a decisive advantage in combat.

About the Author 

Brandon J. Weichert, a National Interest national security analyst, is a former Congressional staffer and geopolitical analyst who is a contributor at The Washington Times, the Asia Times, and The-Pipeline. He is the author of Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His next book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine, is due October 22 from Encounter Books. Weichert can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.