Main Battle Tank
Challenger 2
The Challenger 2 is a British main battle tank built by Vickers Defence Systems, now part of Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land. In service since 1998, it is known for its Dorchester armour and rifled 120 mm gun, and 148 of the tanks are being rebuilt as Challenger 3.
United Kingdom|Vickers Defence Systems (now BAE Systems / RBSL)Overview
Production ran from 1993 to 2002, with about 447 tanks built: 386 for the British Army, 38 for Oman and a number of driver-training vehicles. The Challenger 2 carries a 120 mm L30A1 rifled gun firing two-piece ammunition, which is unusual among NATO tanks, plus a 7.62 mm chain gun. Its classified Dorchester armour can be supplemented by TES add-on kits, pushing weight to about 75 t. A 1,200 hp Perkins diesel gives a road speed of about 59 km/h.
The tank fought in Iraq in 2003 around Basra, where none was lost to enemy fire, although one was destroyed in a friendly-fire incident. It also deployed to Bosnia and Kosovo. In 2023 the UK sent 14 to Ukraine, and visual evidence confirms at least two destroyed there. The British Army is retiring the rest of its fleet while RBSL converts 148 tanks to Challenger 3, with a 120 mm smoothbore gun, new sights and an active protection system.
Key Specifications
Variants
Baseline tank with the rifled 120 mm L30A1 gun, in British service since 1998 and exported only to Oman.
Theatre Entry Standard package adding extra armour, protection and sensors for operations, raising weight to about 75 t.
Rebuilt version with a new turret, Rheinmetall 120 mm L55A1 smoothbore gun, digital systems and an active protection system, due for full capability around 2030.
Operators
United Kingdom
Oman
UkraineFrequently Asked Questions
How much does a Challenger 2 tank cost?
A Challenger 2 cost about £4.2 million per tank, according to a 1999 figure. That price excludes later upgrades, and the Challenger 3 conversion contract alone is worth around £800 million for 148 tanks.
How many Challenger 2 tanks were sent to Ukraine?
The UK sent 14 Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine, with deliveries starting in March 2023. Visual evidence confirms at least two were destroyed; further losses claimed by Russian sources have not been confirmed.
Has a Challenger 2 ever been destroyed?
Yes. One Challenger 2 was destroyed by friendly fire in Iraq in 2003, and at least two have been confirmed destroyed in Ukraine, the first near Robotyne in September 2023. No tank was lost to enemy fire in Iraq.
What is the difference between Challenger 2 and Challenger 3?
The Challenger 3 replaces the rifled L30A1 with a Rheinmetall 120 mm L55A1 smoothbore gun and adds a new turret, modern sights, digital systems, improved armour and an active protection system. 148 Challenger 2s are being converted.
Challenger 2 vs Leopard 2: which is better?
Neither is clearly superior. The Challenger 2 is known for strong armour and crew survivability, while the Leopard 2A6 has a more powerful smoothbore gun, higher road speed and a far larger export base with easier access to spare parts.
Which countries use the Challenger 2?
The Challenger 2 is used by the United Kingdom, Oman and Ukraine. Oman, with 38 tanks bought in the 1990s, is the only export customer, while Ukraine received 14 as military aid in 2023.