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 has doubled, from 14 to 28, the number of Challenger 2 main battle tanks it is planning to supply to Ukraine, Kiev’s ambassador to the United Kingdom Vadym Prystaiko announced on March 5.
The ambassador revealed that the British decision to increase the numbers of tanks promised to Ukraine was taken during President Volodymyr Zelensky’s recent visit to London.
“Speaking of [Challenger 2] tanks, then 14 tanks were pledged. And following President Zelensky’s visit, it was agreed to double this number,” Prystaiko told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak first made the decision to supply Challenger 2 tanks to Kiev forces in mid-January. When the Russian special military operation in Ukraine first started, the UK declined to supply such heavy weapons.
The main armament of the Challenger 2 is the L30A1 120 mm rifled gun, which can fire APFSDS [armor-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 armor, known as Chobham. Explosive reactive armor kits and additional bar armor 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.
Ukrainian troops from the the 25th and 80th Air Assault Brigades are now being trained on the Challenger 2 in the UK. However, 28 tanks will not be enough to equip both brigades and also provide a maintenance float. The new tanks will reportedly arrive in Ukraine some time in March.
The Challenger 2s are supposed to help Ukraine launch a large-scale offensive against the Russian military next spring. Kiev forces are also set to receive 31 American-made M1A2 Abrams tanks and some 71 German-made Leopard 2s for the same purpose.
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