As the primary Western-built tank class pledged in an support package deal to Ukraine, the British Challenger 2 is predicted to see the primary models delivered by mid-April as Ukrainian personnel proceed to coach to function and preserve the category in United Kingdom. Deliveries will make Ukraine solely the second overseas operator of the Challenger 2 after Oman, with the automobile having didn’t compete for contracts in opposition to the way more extensively used German Leopard 2 and American M1 Abrams. This and the low availability charges within the British Army imply that the numbers at the moment accessible are comparatively restricted, with beneath 450 ever constructed, though plans to chop British Army numbers to only 148 autos imply that there might finally be room to produce Ukraine with as much as 200. As the one tank class within the Western world to enter service after the top of the Chilly Warfare, the Challenger 2s is most prized for its armour notably on its turret, which is considerably heavier than on different Western tank lessons. However the tank’s suitability for Ukraine’s defence wants has incessantly been known as into query.
Quite a few options of the Challenger 2 restrict its potential usefulness on the Ukrainian entrance. The tank is the one class produced in a long time to nonetheless use a rifled gun, with the Soviet Union having led the transition to smoothbore weapons within the early Sixties adopted by Germany and the US 20 years later. Consequently in Ukraine the Challenger 2 would be the solely tank on the battlefield with no smoothbore gun. The older gun kind considerably reduces the facility and precision of the British tank’s munitions and limits compatibility with the munitions utilized by different Western tanks akin to Leopard 2s. Lack of compatibility with munitions from different NATO members is especially critical since Britain not produces ammunition for 120mm rifled weapons, neither is any nation on this planet because of the kind’s obsolescence, which means in depth use of the tank class on the frontlines might shortly see munitions shares run dry. However Britain could also be extra wiling to deplete its personal shares to arm Ukraine because of the deliberate integration of smoothbore weapons onto its personal Challenger 2s within the late 2020s beneath an formidable improve program. One other key shortcoming with reference to ammunition is the dearth of any form of fragmentation projectiles – a form of ammunition very extensively utilized by Russian tanks. That is notably essential since tank on tank engagements have been uncommon, and tanks are primarily used for counter infantry roles for which fragmentation projectiles present essential benefits.
Past its armaments, the Challenger 2 is encumbered by its use of first technology thermal imagers. Though superior for his or her time when the category entered service within the Nineteen Nineties, these are a lot poorer that what’s seen even on upgraded Soviet period Russian tanks at the moment. In contrast the T-90M, Russia’s most succesful tank, makes use of third technology thermal sights – two generations forward. Moreover, the British tank lacks a separate thermal sight for the commander – a problem shared with decrease finish Russian tanks like T-72B3, however not prime finish ones just like the T-90M. Trying to safety, though having a really effectively armour turret, the Challenger 2’s hull notably makes use of easy metal armour with out composites or explosive reactive armour. This combines poorly the dearth of blowout panels or blast doorways for ammunition, and means a single hit might trigger catastrophic detonations a lot as was the case with a few of Russia’s older tanks like T-72B3s – however not newer T-72 variants or the T-90M. This already occurred to Challenger 2 in a pleasant fireplace incident which uncovered its vulnerability on this regard, with its turret “popping off” a lot as was seen on Russian T-72s.
The Challenger 2’s complexity and excessive upkeep wants has have additionally raised questions relating to the extent to which Ukraine can maintain operations. As British Royal Air Power Air Vice Marshal Ret. Sean Bell famous: “it’s very tough to see how the Ukrainians would profit from these at the moment however they could find yourself being a part of the entire dichotomy right here.” As a part of a broader subject with Western tanks, their weights of 65-70 tons makes them significantly heavier than the Soviet designs Ukraine at the moment fields, which not solely means a lot increased gas consumption but in addition poor suitability for native infrastructure notably bridges. This and the truth that they require 33% extra crew than Soviet designed tanks is an extra potential trigger of great points.
The Challenger 2 has essential strengths – its turret armour particularly – and there’s little doubt that the Ukrainian Army is best off with than with out them. However their shortcomings might result in an underwhelming affect on the battlefield when making an allowance for the fanfare that has surrounded the introduced supply and the way hotly anticipated their transfer to the entrance has been. In contrast to the Leopard 2 and M1 Abrams, nevertheless, the Challenger 2 has not been produced for shut to twenty years and in consequence a lack of repute on the frontlines wouldn’t diminish this system or any potential export prospects it might have.
