Rheinmetall in the race for British Army’s Challenger 2 Life Extension Project


At DSEI 2017 Rheinmetall underscores the Group’s immense expertise in the world of tracked armoured vehicles. This extends from comprehensive maintenance and modernization programmes to advanced armament concepts, and from developing and manufacturing original equipment to providing all-encompassing technical and logistic support for entire vehicle fleets – including in deployed operations. Rheinmetall is currently upgrading the technical and tactical performance of the Leopard 2 MBT on behalf of two large international customers. 


Rheinmetall MBT ATD at DSEI 001
Rheinmetall's MBT Advanced Technology Demonstrator at DSEi 2017


The Group offers a wide array of state-of-the-art systems for modernizing and digitizing tanks, IFVs and other combat vehicles. By steadily investing in research and development, Rheinmetall has amassed tremendous expertise in every facet of tank technology, which (to cite just one example) the company would like to bring to bear in the British Army’s Challenger 2 Life Extension Project, or LEP.

The British Army wants to extend the service life of its main battle tank through to the year 2035. As one of two remaining competitors, Rheinmetall defined the requirements in cooperation with the British Ministry of Defense during a UK-awarded assessment phase. In the process, obsolescent features of the tank are being identified, with Rheinmetall putting forward options for maintaining the Challenger 2’s capabilities and combat performance.

Rheinmetall has the experience and technological wherewithal necessary to take the lead in all aspects of the Challenger 2 LEP. The Group is exceptionally well positioned to muster the full range of capabilities needed to maintain and foster British expertise in tank development and design, including long-term availability. A key aspect of the Rheinmetall proposal is the full inclusion of British subcontractors in the evaluation phase. Moreover, a Rheinmetall system technology team is present in the United Kingdom to support the Challenger 2 LEP and other programmes.

On show at DSEI 2017 is Rheinmetall’s Main Battle Tank Advanced Technology Demonstrator (MBT ADT), where solutions for improved commandability, survivability and lethality – including integration of the latest DM11 programmable HE tank ammunition — are incorporated into one platform.