Ukrainian Challenger 2 crew reveal how British-supplied main battle tank saves lives

While two British-supplied Challenger 2s are believed to have been lost in Ukraine, the main battle tank is still proving to be extremely capable - and popular - with its crews.

According to the crew of a Challenger 2 nicknamed Baby – a play on the vehicle's huge size and combat-ready weight of 75 tonnes – the type's standout features are its accuracy and the degree of protection offered.

Army Inform, the news outlet of the Ukrainian ministry of defence, also revealed how the crew hailed its spacious interior compared with their Soviet-era tanks as well as more modern designs like the US-supplied M1A1 Abrams.

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Ukrainian tankers, who received their Challenger 2s from the UK last year, are serving with the 82nd Airborne Assault Bukovyna Brigade, which is currently operating in the Kursk region in Russia.

Army Inform spoke to a tank commander called Oleksandr, who had been a welder prior to the war and really appreciated the size of the Challenger's fighting compartment.

"I was sitting in an Abrams once. I didn't like it. It is much smaller. To be honest, I didn't even get into domestic ones. I looked at the driver's seat, looked into the turret and realised that I wouldn't even have enough space there," he said.

Main gun works like a sniper

The Challenger 2 prioritises firepower, provided by its rifled 120mm L30A1 main armament which holds the distance record for the destruction of another tank, and protection, which is provided by the UK designed world-class Dorchester 2 armour.

"It works like a sniper," Oleksandr said of the L30A1 and its phenomenal accuracy.

"For example, if you shoot at a distance of 5km... it will hit most accurately. It has a weather sensor that transmits information about wind, humidity and other factors to the computer. And it makes these amendments."

Fellow crewman Stanislav, who is the loader on the vehicle, said he appreciated the way the tank's gunnery computer could track and switch between targets with ease.

"There is nothing complicated. Yes, for the first shot, everything is done manually. I lower the shutter wedge, load everything, close it and move it to the desired position.

"And after the first shot, everything happens automatically. You just need to throw another projectile," he said.

Armour saves lives

Tank commander Oleksandr hailed the protection offered by the Dorchester armour, explaining how it had already saved the lives of the crew.

The Challenger 2 is powered by a Perkins CV12-6A V12 diesel, delivering 1,200 bhp.

It can reach a maximum road speed of 59km/h on road and 40km/h off-road, but the Ukrainian tankers said they would have liked an even more punchy powerpack.

Challenger 2 driver Maksym pointed out how Western-supplied equipment is a priority target for the Russians.

"As soon as we are spotted... all the fire is coming at us, therefore you need to constantly manoeuvre," he explained.

"Overall, it's a very powerful machine. And its defence is great. But there are nuances about the engine. It needs constant maintenance. If this is done on time, then everything is ok. But this is not always possible due to the intensity of the action.

"And it would be possible to put an even more powerful engine here. Now there is 1,200 horsepower, and it would be great if they put 1,500."