UK to donate 14 additional Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine.

Citing the Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.K. Vadym Prystaiko, the United Kingdom will give a new batch of 14 Challenger 2 MBTs (Main Battle Tanks) to Ukraine. It was announced by Vadym Prystaiko during an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on March 4, 2023. In January 2023, the British government announced the donation to Ukraine of 14 British-made Challenger 2 tanks. 
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British army Challenger 2 MBT Main Battle Tank. (Picture source Army Recognition)

According to information published by the American Business magazine Forbes, the first British-made Challenger 2 MBTs (Main Battle Tanks) will be delivered to the 25th and 80th Air Assault Brigades of the Ukrainian army.

The Challenger 2 tanks will replace the old Soviet-made T-80BV tanks, currently in service with the Ukrainian air-assault brigades. The T-80BV is an upgrade version of the T-80B Main Battle Tank (MBT) which entered into service with the Russian armed forces in 1985.

On January 14, 2023, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that the United Kingdom is ready to supply Ukraine with 14 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) to increase the combat capabilities of the Ukrainian armed forces against the Russian army.

At the end of January 2023, Ukrainian army tank crews arrived in the UK to begin training with the British-made Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (MBT). The first Challenger 2 tanks could be delivered to Ukraine at the end of March this year.

The T-80BV and the Challenger 2 are both modern main battle tanks that were designed and developed in the late 20th century. The T-80BV is a Soviet-era tank that entered service in 1985. It is armed with a 125mm smoothbore gun, which is capable of firing a variety of ammunition types, including armor-piercing, high-explosive, and guided missiles.

The T-80BV is powered by a gas turbine engine, which provides a high power-to-weight ratio but is less fuel-efficient than traditional diesel engines.

The Challenger 2 is a British tank that entered service in the late 1990s. It is armed with a 120 mm rifled tank gun designated the L30A1. it is the first British tank gun to be chrome-lined which gives the barrel a longer life as well as giving more consistent accuracy.

The Challenger 2 incorporates second-generation Chobham armor which is called Dorchester offering a significant increase in protection against both Kinetic Energy (KE) and Shaped Charge (Chemical Energy – CE) attacks.

Ukrainian army T-80BV MBT Main Battle Tank. (Picture source Wikimedia)

In terms of protection, the T-80BV and the Challenger 2 are both heavily armored tanks. The T-80BV features composite armor and explosive reactive armor, which provides protection against anti-tank missiles and rockets. The Challenger 2 features composite armor, Chobham armor, and explosive reactive armor, offering more protection against modern ammunition.

Overall, both tanks are highly capable and well-protected. However, the Challenger 2 is generally considered to have a technological edge over the T-80BV due to its more advanced fire control system and more sophisticated sensors. In addition, the Challenger 2 is better suited to operating in Western-style armies due to its use of NATO-compatible communications and electronics.