“RBSL Unleashes Revolutionary Challenger 3 Tanks: A Game Changer for UK Economic Growth”
Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) has been granted the UK MOD contract to enhance 148 British Army Challenger 3 Main Battle Tanks.
Amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, this contract award, valued at £800m (including VAT), signifies a considerable advancement for UK prosperity and economic revitalization.
The initiative will implement crucial improvements to the vehicle and equip the British Army with a top-tier capability, produced in the UK.
The modernized vehicle, designated Challenger 3, will function as a network-enabled, digital Main Battle Tank, boasting cutting-edge lethality, upgraded survivability features, along with exceptional surveillance and target acquisition skills.
A total of 450 positions will be created and maintained within the UK supply chain, with an additional 200 roles generated at RBSL, which will comprise 130 engineers and 70 technicians. RBSL is also set to offer employment and training opportunities for 60 apprentices over the next five years.
The operations will be managed from RBSL’s manufacturing facility in Telford, with engineering assistance from Heavy Armour specialists located in Telford and other RBSL sites in Washington (North East) and Bristol. The program is slated to commence in 2021, expecting to be operational by 2027.
RBSL will collaborate with suppliers throughout the UK, further aiding in the enhancement of regional economies. This initiative has also triggered a £20m inward investment in RBSL’s Telford facility, guaranteeing state-of-the-art manufacturing tools and training for workers and apprentices.
The Challenger 3 contract will ensure the UK remains at the leading edge of Armoured Fighting Vehicle advancement, providing an opportunity to investigate new technologies for future capabilities integration.
This program safeguards the UK’s national skill set in both defense and engineering fields, potentially enabling global exports.
John Abunassar, RBSL Board Chairman, remarked:
“What a remarkable moment for RBSL, for our Armed Forces, and for UK prosperity. We are thrilled to share this announcement, affirming the revival of armored vehicle engineering in the UK. This declaration follows years of dedicated effort and collaboration with our client, especially amid the unprecedented circumstances due to COVID-19.”
“The British Army will gain access to a top-tier capability. RBSL, known as Vickers Defence Systems at the time, delivered the first Challenger 2s to the British Army over 25 years ago, and it is a profound honor for our engineers to embark on this next phase together.”
Challenger 3 Technical Specifications
The state-of-the-art vehicle will feature the advanced 120mm High Pressure L55A1 main gun, capable of firing the latest kinetic energy anti-tank rounds along with programmable multipurpose munitions. The gun is additionally equipped with enhanced first-hit capacity and the newest fire support technologies.
The revamped turret architecture and enhanced survivability systems provide the utmost standard of protection for the crew. Primary sights for the long-range commander and gunner will also see improvements with automatic target detection and acquisition.
This solution offers substantial growth prospects across all Main Battle Tank key capability domains with the newly structured physical, electronic, and electrical architecture.
