In response to a parliamentary scrutiny question, the Minister of Armaments of Great Britain Maria Eagle admitted that the program to upgrade 148 Challenger-2 main battle tanks to the Challenger-3 level is facing a time delay, due to problems in the service supply chain, and that the tanks’ Initial Operational Capability is unlikely to be achieved in 2027, as planned. The Minister did not announce which systems and subsystems are facing a supply problem, but said that the next trials of the Challenger-3 will begin in the second quarter of 2025. Regarding the cost, the Minister stated that the total cost of the program will not exceed £ 1.9 billion ($ 2.4 billion). The Challenger-3 incorporates the new 120 mm L-55A1 gun, which, during recent tests, achieved a target engagement at a distance of 5 km with DM-73 ammunition. The L-55A1 gun is a development of the L-44 gun and incorporates a barrel 55 calibers long (approximately 6.6 meters long).
The longer barrel increases the velocity of the ammunition exiting the barrel and improves the accuracy and effectiveness of the ammunition at a longer distance. The DM-73 ammunition weighs 21 kilograms and achieves a maximum muzzle velocity of 1,780 meters per second. The Challenger-3 is being upgraded by the Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) consortium and the upgraded tanks will remain in service until approximately 2040. The Challenger-3 has more ammunition and greater speed and range. The ammunition programming is done automatically, in a new turret with the L-55A1 gun. It also incorporates a new engine, cooling system and suspension system. A new, automatic target detection and tracking system is at the crew’s disposal, as are new longer-range thermal cameras. The Challenger-3 is fully digital, incorporates the Trophy active self-protection system and modular armor, while emphasis has also been placed on electromagnetic field protection.
