British Army spends $802 million to upgrade Challenger 2 tanks

The British Army plans to drastically upgrade its Challenger 2 main battle tank and has selected two defense contractors to carry out the work.

The British Ministry of Defense has selected two contractors, BAE Systems and Rheinmetall Landsysteme, to carry out the Challenger 2 tank upgrade program. Accordingly, the Challenger 2 tank upgrade program will cost 802 million USD.

According to revealed information, the Challenger 2 tank will be equipped with a new generation thermal imaging, fire control and targeting system.

It is understood that other contractors such as Lockheed Martin, CMI Defence of Belgium, and RUAG of Switzerland also bid, but were ultimately eliminated.

Each contractor will receive $28 million in the first phase. The Challenger 2 upgrade plan includes several components, but the British Ministry of Defense wants to focus primarily on the turret system.

According to the information revealed, the Challenger 2 tank will be equipped with a new generation of thermal imaging, fire control and targeting systems. In addition, BAE Systems also added a high-tech electronic system and a completely new combat screen for the 68-ton tank to confidently participate in combat against current new generation tanks.

According to manufacturer BAE Systems, the commander's sight will be integrated with a thermal imaging system that will allow them to hunt and destroy enemy targets 24 hours a day. The fire control system will also be upgraded to improve weapon accuracy.

Mr. Ben Hudson - representative of contractor Rheinmetall said that the current 120mm L30 rifled gun of the Challenger-2 will be replaced with the 120mm L55 smoothbore main gun currently equipped on German army tanks.

Since the Challenger 2 entered service with the British Army in 1998, BAE Systems has continuously upgraded the vehicle to ensure it remains combat-ready.

“Our team has put together an innovative proposal to address not only the Challenger 2’s obsolescence issues but also to improve the vehicle’s cost-effectiveness. Our solution integrates either the 120mm L30 rifled gun or the 120mm L55 smoothbore gun in service with the German Army,” Ben Hudson also stated in a press release.

"Combined with the new optical-visual observation support system, situational detection system and fire control will help Challenger 2 fight, survive and win on the current and future battlefields" - Mr. Ben Hudson affirmed.

According to Labor