challenger-3-completes design review ahead of schedule picture 2 british army 130223 .jpg — Military officials hope the Challenger 3 (CR3) programme will deliver the most capable tank in Nato (Picture: MOD)

Land vehicles

Contract to deliver new modular armour system for Challenger 3 main battle tank awarded

A contract to deliver a new modular armour system for the Challenger 3 main battle tank has been awarded to Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL).

Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), which awarded the contract, said: "The new modular armour provides a step change in survivability for the main battle tank.

"With initial integration trials conducted in 2023, RBSL will now test, manufacture and integrate the new armour onto the Challenger 3 tanks."

DE&S added: "The enhanced survivability will provide enhanced protection for our soldiers against the most dangerous threats Challenger 3 will face."

It also said the latest investment in this "critical capability will deliver for the British Army now and into the future".

"Challenger 3 will be a key component of the Army's Future Armoured Brigade Combat Teams and the UK's contribution to Nato deterrence," DE&S said.

Colonel Will Waugh, the senior responsible owner for the Army's Armour (MBT) Programme, said: "This contract signature is great news and another step forward in the delivery of the Army's next MBT capability.

"The conflict in Ukraine has provided a timely reminder of the threat posed by Russia's MBTs and other weapon systems.

"This armour is a world-class sovereign capability that will provide a step change in protecting our soldiers and the survivability of Challenger 3."

Watch: Challenger 3's new cutting edge digital display.

In September, a major milestone was reached for the Challenger 3 main battle tank programme, with test firings of the new 120mm smoothbore gun being complete and the basic turret structure being delivered.

Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land said the new 120mm L55A1CR3 weapon system would give the Army the capability to confront all current and future battlefield challenges.

Military officials hope the CR3 programme will deliver the most capable tank in Nato.

There have been questions about whether the Challenger 3's weight could be preventing it from being as effective as it could potentially be.

In October, Forces News spoke to Doctor Jack Watling, a senior research fellow for land warfare at defence and security think tank the Royal United Services Institute.

He suggested the new 66-tonne Challenger 3 might be too heavy.

Watch: Expert says he's found the ideal tank weight - and warns Challenger 3 is too heavy.

Dr Watling said: "When you start to get heavier and heavier, it doesn't necessarily make the tank more survivable.

"What it does do is make you much less manoeuvrable and harder to sustain. The sustainment itself is quite easy to target.

"And so being lighter and having more options in terms of which bridges you can cross, which roads you can go along whilst still having a sufficient level of protection to survive the majority of threats on the battlefield, and still being able to carry a pretty lethal armament is actually preferable."

DE&S said the Challenger 3 programme would also be "regenerating critical industrial capability in the UK, benefiting from the best of British engineering and manufacturing, whilst sustaining valuable skills across the country".

The British Army is expected to get a 148-strong fleet of Challenger 3 tanks which are due to reach initial operating capability by 2027.

The Ministry of Defence then aims for the tanks to be fully operational by 2030.