The team has also successfully tested a new armour system, a UK sovereign capability based on a Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL design) and manufactured by RBSL. Work to modernise and expand RBSL’s Telford production facility, which will also manufacture Boxer vehicles, is nearing completion after two important design reviews.

The supply-chain subcontracts have now been given to UK supply chain companies, helping the government level the goal. The work was completed under an £800 million contract awarded to RBSL in 2021 to deliver 148 modernised, fully digitalised battle tanks to the British Army beginning in 2027. The CDR signifies that the tank design has been agreed upon, and RBSL can now begin producing the CR3 prototypes. This comes after the Initial Design Review (IDR) in March 2022 and results from a massive amount of collaborative work. According to the MoD statement, the Challenger 3 teams from DE&S’ Land Equipment Operating Centre, the British Army, and industry players Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) have been working to accelerate the CR3 programme. The MoD reported on February 9 that the Challenger 3 Delivery Team is still on track and under budget, as Challenger 3 passed the Critical Design Review. The modification is similar to the German KF52 Panther upgrade of the Leopard 2 tank in that the chassis remains unchanged while the electronics and firing systems are updated. In keeping with its image as a second rate force, the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) plans to upgrade its ageing Challenger 2 tanks to Challenger 3 specifications.

Future military tanks pictures