British Army's new Challenger 3 tank unveiled

Long awaited, the first information about the British Army's new Challenger 3 tank has been released by the British authorities.

Before the publication of the news Integrated Strategic Review, many rumors had circulated in Great Britain concerning frank cuts of certain key capabilities of British Defense.

Among them were a severe reduction in the number of F35s ordered by the Royal Air Force, the reduction in the number of Royal Navy frigates, as well as the outright elimination of the 3 heavy tank battalions available to the British Army today, and which are equipped with the heavy tank Challenger 2.

Ultimately, the heavy tank will remain in service in the British Army, since 148 Challenger 2 will gradually be brought to a new standard called Challenger 3, in order to process its obsolescence observed to be delivered between 2027 and 2030. It is true that despite certain indisputable advantages, particularly in terms of protection, the Challenger 2 was beginning to show the weight of the years.

As expected, the new British tank will be equipped with the 120 mm L55 smoothbore gun from the German Rheinmetall, the same one which equips the Leopard 2 modernized, allowing it to fire the new NATO arrow shells designed to penetrate the thickest armor. This is a significant step since the Challenger 2 was the last Allied tank to employ a rifled tube and corresponding ammunition within NATO.

Above all, the Challenger 3 will receive an automatic loading system in place of its current loading and firing system with a divided ammunition (projectile + propellant), which will give the armored vehicle a much higher rate of fire, as well as a extensive flexibility of use.

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