This major upgrade of the British Army’s main battle tank featuring extra firepower and cutting-edge protection systems will ensure the UK remains at the forefront of tank design, poised to respond to future global threats and challenges.

The maintenance of Challenger 2 will be carried out by Babcock Defence Support Group. As I am sure the British Army would say, it will deliver a world-class capability, generating significant export opportunities and support for global Britain, and the UK’s wider economic growth. That digital element is critical and feeds into other Government streams of thinking. The programme will deliver Challenger 3, a network-enabled digital main battle tank that will reinvigorate the UK’s and Shropshire’s design and engineering skills.

The Challenger 2 Life Extension Programme is a UK MOD programme to deliver the next generation of heavy armoured capability. This would allow extending the service lives of the Challenger 2 hulls up until 2040 and beyond. Initial operating capability was expected by 2027 and full operating capability expected by 2030. A contract worth £800 million ($1 billion) was signed to produce 148 of these new MBTs for the British Army. Overall the upgraded Challenger 3 is deadlier and better protected than the Challenger 2.

The new smoothbore gun can use the most advanced globally available ammunition. The tank has a new turret armed with a new 120 mm smoothbore gun. The Challenger 3 program, awarded to Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) on, will cover the upgrade of 148 of the British Army's 227. Challenger 3 main battle tank was unveiled in 2021 based on a modified Challenger 2 hull.

Challenger 2 main battle tank