There are only 157 Challenger 2 tanks left in the British Army, ready for combat.
This number was made public during a UK Defense Committee meeting earlier this week.
The service previously reported 227 Challenger 2 tanks in service, but did not specify how many of them are on alert.
Militarny writes that the transfer of 14 Challenger 2s to Ukraine, taken directly from military units, will further affect the ability of the British army to respond to threats on its territory. British Chief of Staff Patrick Sanders acknowledged that the move could make the army “temporarily weaker”.
In 2021, it became known that 148 British Challenger 2 tanks were being upgraded to the Challenger 3 variant.
The updated version will differ from the previous active protection system, improved sensors and optics, as well as a new turret.
The tank will also have a 120mm Rheinmetall L55A1 smoothbore gun to increase lethality.
However, Defense Secretary Ben Wallace later stated that the UK could upgrade more tanks than originally planned.
Against the background of the Russian-Ukrainian war, London changed its plans and decided to fence more combat vehicles.
Wallace did not give a number. However, perhaps 9 more Challenger tanks can also be upgraded to the third version.
Recall that it has recently become known that the UK will increase the number of tanks that it plans to transfer to Ukraine, and is helping to work towards a consensus among allies on the transfer of weapons. The decision to double the number of Challenger 2 tanks that Ukraine will receive was made after Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the United Kingdom.
Source: Racurs
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.