With the formalization of the contract, on 7 May, worth 900 million euros, RBSL (a joint venture formed by the German Rheinmetall and BAE Systems Land) will provide the British Army with the updated version of the MBT Challenger 2, called Mk -3 (with full operational capability by 2030).
The "Army 2020 Refine" foresees that each of the two heavy brigades, within the 3ͩ ͩ UK Division, have a tank regiment on Challenger 2 (in the future Mk-3).
In recent years the British had experimented with regiments on three squadrons of 18 tanks each, recently it has returned to 4 squadrons of 14 (plus two of the regimental tactical command), for a total of 58 tanks.
The main changes compared to the previous version mainly concern the installation of a new tower, thus replacing the 30 mm L120 rifled piece (opening photo) with the 55/1 mm L120A55 cannon (with the possibility of using the new Rheinmetall ammunition ). The commander will have an independent Thales Orion viewer. It will also have an improved engine and suspension, with a new cooling system.
As regards the propulsion, an MTU883 Ka-501 based solution should be adopted, capable of delivering a power of 1.630 HP, giving the wagon a maximum road speed of over 80 km / h, despite a mass close to 70 tons.
However, the Challenger Mk-3 could remain in service for a few years, at least until 2040, when the MGCS (Main Ground Combat System), currently developed as part of Franco-German cooperation, will be completed.
It is no secret that Berlin is trying to get the UK into the MGCS program. A possible British participation in this program could question the industrial balance between France and Germany, reducing the demands of Paris.
Photo: MoD UK / Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL)
