British MoD awards BAE Systems & Rheinmetall to start Challenger 2 tank MBT life extension 12312161

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Defence & Security News - United Kingdom
 
British MoD awards BAE Systems & Rheinmetall to start Challenger 2 tank MBT life extension.
The British Ministry of Defence (MOD) has awarded new contracts to BAE Systems and Rheinmetall Land Systeme GmbH to progress the Challenger 2 MBT (Main Battle Tank) Life Extension Project. The Challenger is in service with the British Army since 1998.
     
The British Ministry of Defence (MOD) has awarded new contracts to BAE Systems and Rheinmetall Land Systeme GmbH to progress the Challenger 2 MBT (Main Battle Tank) Life Extension Project. The Challenger is in service with the British Army since 1998. The UK Main Battle Tank, Challenger 2 Theatre Entry Standard (CR2 TES) fitted with a Mobile Camouflage System (MCS). (Picture British MoD)
     
The agreements, worth £23 million each, signal the start of the competitive Assessment Phase. We are building the most adaptive force to meet the threats of the future and this phase will enable the companies to develop innovative upgrades which will keep the formidable Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank, crucial for the delivery of a modern ground manoeuvre warfighting capability as part of Joint Force 2025, in service with the British Army until 2035.

Recent developments in electronics, computing and sight optics mean upgrades to several of the tank’s components are now possible.

The total value of the Challenger 2 Assessment Phase is £53 million. This includes both £23 million Assessment Phase contracts and a further £7 million to cover additional work.

The MOD’s investment will allow BAE Systems and Rheinmetall to undertake technical studies, produce detailed digital models and consider how upgrades will be integrated onto the current platform.

At the end of the Assessment Phase the companies will present their solutions to the MOD for consideration. The Demonstration and Manufacture Phases of the project will follow.
     
When deployed on operations the Challenger 2 is now normally upgraded to TES (Theatre Entry Standard), which includes a number of modifications including armour and weapon system upgrades. The UK Main Battle Tank, Challenger 2 Theatre Entry Standard (CR2 TES) at DVD 2014
     
The FV4034 Challenger 2 is the main battle tank currently in service with the army of the United Kingdom. Built by the British company Vickers Defence System now part of BAE Systems Land and Armaments. Challenger 2 is an extensive redesign from Challenger 1, the MBT from which it was developed.

The Challenger 2 was deployed the War in Iraq during the military operations in the 2000s. After the combat experiences with the Challenger 2 on the battlefield, and especially during the war in Iraq, Challenger 2s have been upgraded with a new passive armour package, including the use of add-on armour manufactured by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems of Israel. When deployed on operations the Challenger 2 is now normally upgraded to TES (Theatre Entry Standard), which includes a number of modifications including armour and weapon system upgrades.

The main armament of the Challenger 2 MBT consists of a BAE Systems, RO Defence 120 mm rifled tank gun designated the L30A, fitted with a thermal sleeve, fume extractor and muzzle reference system. Mounted coaxially, to the left of the main armament, is the ATK Gun Systems Company 7.62 mm Chain Gun which is already in service with the British Army and installed in the now Alvis Vickers Warrior mechanized combat vehicle.

The Challenger 2 is currently in service with the Queen’s Royal Hussars, the King’s Royal Hussars and the Royal Tank Regiment.