British soldiers with the Queen’s Royal Hussars conduct the Offensive Operations lane during the Strong Europe Tank Challenge, June 5, 2018. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)
The United Kingdom is considering supplying Ukraine with Challenger 2 main battle tanks, Sky News reported on January 10.
A Western source with knowledge on the matter, discussions have been taking place “for a few weeks” about delivering a number of the British Army’s Challenger 2 tanks to Kiev forces. The government of Rishi Sunak is yet to make a decision, however.
Any announcement of new British military aid to Ukraine, such as tanks, will likely be made during the upcoming United States-led Contact Group meeting on January 20.
A Ukrainian source told Sky News that the UK could supply 10-12 Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine. The source acknowledged that the few tanks won’t be a “game changer.” Yet, he noted that the step could help prompt other NATO allies, in particular Germany, to follow suit.
“It will be a good precedent to demonstrate [to] others – to Germany first of all, with their Leopards… and Abrams from the United States,” the source said.
Kiev asked its Western allies to supply main battle tanks, mainly German-made Leopard 2s, on several occasions since the start of the Russian special military operation.
The Challenger 2 entered service with the British military in the last 1990s. The main armament of the tank is the L30A1 120 mm rifled gun, which can fire APFSDS [armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding-sabot], HESH [high explosive squash head] and white phosphorus smoke rounds. The tank is also equipped with a day/night capable computerized targeting system.
The 64-ton main battle tank is protected by a classified composite armour, known as Chobham. Explosive reactive armour kits and additional bar armour may be fitted. However, this would take the weight of the tank up to 75 tons.
Powered by a Perkins CV12-6A V12 diesel engine with 1,200 bhp, the Challenger 2 can reach a top speed of 40 kilometers off road and up to 59 kilometers on road.
386 Challenger 2 tanks were supplied to the British military, out of which only 227 are in service today. Supplying 10-12 of these tanks will not likely be a problem for the UK.
The U.S. has been pushing its allies to boost military support for Ukraine ahead of spring. Over the past week, Kiev was promised 50 U.S.-made Bradley and 40 German-made Marder infantry fighting vehicles as well as an undisclosed number of French-made AMX-10 RC wheeled light tanks. The new vehicles would only make up for a fraction of Ukraine’s armour losses.
- Volhynia Turned Into Solid Cemetery. Cry From Soul Of Ukrainian Policewoman (18+)
- BREAKING. Russians Captured AFU Stronghold Soledar
