how many challenger 2 tanks have been destroyed how many challenger 2 tanks have been destroyed

The tank has seen operational service in Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq. The Challenger 2 is a heavily armoured and well protected tank. The tank is also well-protected against all-known anti-tank weapons as it has Chobham composite armour, which is made up of steel and uranium. [48] The crew survived, safe within the tank until it was recovered for repairs, the worst damage being to the sighting system. The Challenger 2E is an export version of the tank. Description. "[25], HAAIP has already led to upgrades to the air filtration system, through the use of cleanable air filters with increased operating life, which were tested in Exercise Saif Sareea 3 in October 2018. Vickers Defence Systems began to develop a successor to Challenger 1 as a private venture in 1986. During the Gulf War it defeated an Iraqi tank at a range of 4 km. Study now. The L30A1 main gun is armed with a variety of ammunition, has proven effective in anti-conflict, anti-terrorism and peacekeeping missions. In contrast, the Abrams tank has been used extensively in combat in Afghanistan and Iraq, with more than 10,000 units built. Over 8,800 m1 and m1a1 tanks have been produced for the us army and marine corps, and the armies of egypt, saudi arabia and kuwait. This has been linked by the media to the failure of the 2E to be selected for the Hellenic Army in 2002, a competition won by the Leopard 2.[114]. It was designed and built by the British company Vickers Defence Systems, since renamed BAE Systems Land & Armaments.[8]. [109], On 22 March 2021, the MoD published its long-awaited command paper, Defence in a Competitive Age, which confirmed the British Army's plans to upgrade 148 Challenger 2 tanks and designate them Challenger 3. You have entered an incorrect email address! After the Army 2020 restructuring, only three Challenger 2 Tank Regiments will remain: the Queen's Royal Hussars, the King's Royal Hussars and the Royal Tank Regiment, each of which is the tank regiment of an Armoured Infantry Brigade. [25] This complicated two-part project is detailed below. I write about ships, planes, tanks, drones, missiles and satellites. British Challenger 2 main battle tanks could be heading to Ukraine to help its forces in their defence against Russia's invasion. Home richfield school district how many challenger 2 tanks have been destroyed. This is because the British Army continues to place a premium on the use of high explosive squash head (HESH) rounds in addition to armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding-sabot rounds. The Leopard II weighs 62.3 tons and has a top speed of 42 miles per hour. [27], After the Russian invasion of Ukraine in spring 2022, the then British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, declined Ukrainian requests for Challenger 2 tanks to be part of the military aid packages arranged by the United Kingdom and other NATO countries. [110][111] The MoD confirmed the contract with RBSL had been signed, valued at 800 million (US$1 billion), on 7 May 2021. Design authority for the tank is held by Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL). [The tank was] well armoured but in an operational theatre it's not the case that you can have absolute protection. . [citation needed], It has seen operational service in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Iraq. Mr Zelensky said tanks, APCs and artillery are exactly what Ukraine needs to restore its territorial integrity and thanked Mr Sunak, Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace, and the British people for this powerful contribution to our common victory over tyranny. The Challenger 3 tanks will replace the existing . British Challenger 2 main battle tanks could be heading to Ukraine to help its forces in their defence against Russia's invasion. The tank is fitted with an Extel Systems Wedel auxiliary power unit, an APU, also referred to as a generating unit engine (GUE), based on a 38kW Perkins P404C-22 diesel engine. How far can a Challenger 2 fire? Surveillance and target acquisition: Upgrades to the commander's primary sight and gunner's primary sight, as well as the replacement of the thermal observation and gunnery sights (TOGS) with third-generation thermal imaging. 2019 Military-Wiki.com - You may not copy this content without our permission, Challenger 2 Never been destroyed in any battle, Chinas Obsolete Chengdu J-7 Is Being Retired, Malaysia Procures 18 New FA-50 Light Fighters From South Korea, Poland Procures 1,400 Borsuk IFVs: Modernizing Soviet-era Ground Fleet, Aung Zeya Frigate: Myanmars First Domestic Frigate, Leopard 2A7+ Will Replace Hungarys T-72 Fleet. It would mean Russia would be fighting an undefeated platform not once has the Challenger 2 been destroyed at the hands of an enemy. [70][71] [72] Publications in support of tender procurement for HAAIP indicate that a new CV12-9A engine build standard will be used for the Challenger 2s upgraded to become Challenger 3s, and for CRARRV. UK Defense Secretary Says Giving Tanks To Ukraine 'Wouldn't Work', "UK and Germany won't send tanks to Ukraine", "Tories plan to scrap Army tanks despite sending some to Poland after Ukraine invasion", "UK Is Considering Sending Battle Tanks to Ukraine, Officials Say", "UK considers supplying handful of Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine", "UK to send Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine, Rishi Sunak confirms", "What makes Germany's Leopard 2 tank the best fit for Ukraine? Challenger 2 was first used in combat in March 2003 during the invasion of Iraq. Built in the UK by Vickers Defence Systems, now BAE Systems and Land Armaments, it was designed as a replacement to . Although no Challenger 2 tanks have been destroyed by the enemy, one tank was mistakenly hit by British forces during the battle of Basra, Iraq in 2003. At least 14 of them destroyed outright by enemy action. However, in the coming weeks and months, Western MBTs including the German-made Leopard 2 and British Challenger 2 could begin to arrive in Ukraine, while the U.S. has pledged to send at . The digital fire control computer from Computing Devices Co of Canada contains two 32-bit processors with a MIL STD1553B databus. It is hard to believe that the British tank has been able to move 2.5 km back to a safe location, handed over to repair technicians. The addition of sand filters and other modifications through a series of Urgent Operational Requirements substantially improved the platform's operational availability. [22] Shortly after, the British Army decided that purchasing a new tank would be too expensive and chose to proceed with the Challenger 2 Life Extension Project (LEP). Some tests were performed with various coating and camouflage nets to reduce both thermal and radar signatures. The smaller volume but more powerful EuroPowerPack additionally incorporates as standard a cooling system and air intake filtration system proved in desert use. The turret is capable of rotating 360 degrees in 9 seconds. Crew safety was paramount in the design. Mobility: Upgrades including third-generation hydrogas suspension, improved air filtration, CV-12 common rail fuel injection, transmission and cooling. . Mon 23 Apr 2007 19.07 EDT. ': Messages reveal frantic hours after Hancock affair story breaks, Instagram midwife faces misconduct hearing over racially offensive posts, Stephen Bear jailed for 21 months for revenge porn video of ex-girlfriend Georgia Harrison, Ken Bruce's final show reminded us he doesn't just talk to everyone, he listens to them, too, Who hates my naked protests most? Wiki User. The US is sending 31 of its Abrams tanks, the UK is providing 14 Challenger 2 tanks and Germany, 14 Leopards 2 tanks. To date, the only time the tank has been destroyed during operations was by another Challenger 2 in a "blue on blue" (friendly fire) incident at Basra in 2003 when the . Secondary armament consisted of a 7.62mm L94A1 coaxial machine gun to the left of the turret with a rate of fire of more than 500 rounds per minute. As with earlier versions of the 120mm gun, the propellant charges are loaded separately from the shell or KE projectile. At the last of these milestones, Vickers was to have met 11 key criteria for the tank's design.[15]. The hull design was generally still faithful to the original Challenger 1, with the same stretched chassis, glacis slope, welded RHA assembly. The world is witnessing a powerful rise of new generation modern tanks, the US and Russia are still the leading countries in this field. I love history and military science, so I created this website as a place to share my passion to you. how many challenger 2 tanks have been destroyed. The tank has a glistening service record in Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq. According to social media images, Leopard 2 tanks - recently delivered to Ukraine after weeks of waiting - have been destroyed by Russia's Wagner mercenary group. Johnson instead chose to deploy British Challenger 2 tanks to Poland to backfill the Polish Army and allowing the Polish government to donate Soviet-era T-72s to Ukraine. To date, not a single Challenger 2 has been destroyed by an enemy. In the West, the other main battle tanks are the M1 Abrams, the German Leopard II, the British Challenger II, the Italian Ariete C1, and the Polish P91. This power pack was previously installed on the French Leclerc tanks delivered to the UAE as well as the recovery tank version of the Leclerc in service with the French Army. The sole BMP-T company just suffered its first combat loss. The initial operating capability for the upgraded tanks is expected by 2027, with full operation capability expected to be declared by 2030. The British Army has 227 Challenger 2 tanks - though many are not currently in position to be deployed. The ISRD took place from September to December 1998. The Challenger 2 is equipped with a 120-millimetre (4.7in) 55-calibre long L30A1 tank gun,[10] the successor to the L11 gun used on Chieftain and Challenger 1. [88][89][90], In 2015, the British Army provided an insight into the scope of the LEP, dividing it into four key areas, namely:[91], The MoD also began assessing active protection systems (APS) on the Challenger 2, including MUSS and Rheinmetall's ROSY Rapid Obscurant System. This would increase the maximum power output from 1,200bhp (at 2,300rpm) to 1,500bhp (at 2,400rpm), reduce battlefield smoke emissions, and improve fleet reliability and availability. The driver's sight was damaged and while attempting to back away under the commander's directions, the other sights were damaged and the tank threw its tracks entering a ditch. [26], In May 2021, the UK MoD published a command paper entitled Defence in a Competitive Age. I appreciate all of your contributions. Russia quickly hit back at the offer, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying these tanks are burning and will burn just like the rest. The engines and transmission units have themselves also been remanufactured in recent years, with parts and equipment also purchased to convert CV12-6A engines to CV12-8A build standard. The Challenger 2 tank has not been destroyed in combat due in part to the relatively small number of units built and deployed. armour-piercing fin-stabilised discarding-sabot, armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding-sabot, Challenger Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicle, Minister of State for Defence Procurement, "Vickers Defence Systems Challenger 2 MBT", "Thatcher Picks British Tank Over Rival American Model", "Company News; Britain Selects Tank Produced By Vickers", Trojan and Titan Armoured Engineer Vehicles, "Janes | Latest defence and security news", UK Army To Extend Life of Challenger 2; New Tank Too Costly, "BAE Systems bid provides glimpse into the future of Britain's battle tanks", "Challenger 2 vehicles prepared for an upgrade", "Britain awards $1 billion contract to upgrade Challenger 2 tanks", "British Tanks To Fight Russia? Deliveries of Challenger 2 to Oman were completed in 2001. The driver's position is equipped with a Thales Optronics image-intensifying Passive Driving Periscope (PDP) for night driving and a rear view thermal camera. . [101][102] Months later, in January 2019, Rheinmetall unveiled its proposal which included the development of a completely new turret with fully digital electronic architecture, day and night sights for the commander and gunner, and a Rheinmetall L55 120mm smoothbore gun. The British Army has 227 ageing Challenger 2 tanks. The Russian T-72 tank is the most widely used tank ever. On each side of the turret are five L8 smoke grenade dischargers. FBiH - Konkursi za turistike vodie i voditelje putnike agencije. Range: 342mi or 550km on road with external fuel; 156mi (250km) cross country on internal fuel. Algeria: It has 572 tanks of the variant T-90SA; Armenia: It has more than 30 Units of the variant T-90S; Azerbaijan: It has a 100 T-90S tank; India: It has a 2078 T-90S tank; Iraq: It has 73 T-90S/SK tank; And many other countries have variants of the T-90 tanks. Challenger 2 tanks are a source of pride for the British military and have been in operation for almost 25 years. [65] The HAAIP programme, awarded to BAE Systems, was intended to apply a common engine and suspension standard to Challenger 2, the DTT, CRARRV, Titan and Trojan, improving reliability. One of the battalions making up an "elite" Russian tank regiment waging war in Ukraine has just 10 . The proposed CV12 upgrade by Caterpillar Defense would fit electronically controlled common rail fuel injection and introduce engine health monitoring (HUMS). [39] The turret and hull are protected by second-generation Chobham armour, also known as Dorchester, the details of which are classified but which is said to have a mass efficiency more than twice that of rolled homogeneous armour against high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) projectiles. Spec Ops Magazine 2023 All Rights Reserved. The Challenger 3 tanks will replace the existing . It would mean Russia would be fighting an undefeated platform - not once has the Challenger 2 been destroyed at the hands of an enemy. [6] They also publicly stated a maximum road speed of 59km/h while equipped with 15tons of additional modules.[6]. A Challenger 2 tank and an M1A2 Abrams are hunting each other on a from www.quora.com. The Challenger 1's performance in the Gulf War bolstered the MoD's confidence in British armour. In June 1991, the MoD placed an order for 140 vehicles, with a further 268 ordered in 1994. Although the hull and automotive components seem similar, they are of a newer design than for the Challenger 1 and only about 3% of components are interchangeable. The nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) protection system is located in the turret bustle. The turret has a rotation time of 9 seconds through 360 degrees. Challenger 2 is an extensive redesign from Challenger 1, the MBT from which it . . The Prime Ministers official spokesman said: We have seen very clearly that the Ukrainian armed forces have been very effective with the equipment that we have provided to them. [103][104][105], In June 2019, BAE Systems and Rheinmetall formed a joint venture company, based in the UK, named Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL). The Trojan Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineers is a combat engineering vehicle designed as a replacement for the Chieftain AVRE (ChAVRE). Boeing 7.62mm Chain gun and additional GPMG (general-purpose machine gun). It is not accurate to say that one tank is necessarily better than others based on a small sample size of combat exposure. The British army has also cut by one-third the total number of 227 Challenger 2 MBTs that will be improved as part of the 800m ($1bn) Challenger 3 modernization program. No one has ever said Challenger tanks are impenetrable. Its operational range is some 250 miles and cross-country range of 150 miles. It is renowned for its durability and endurance. August 2006: An RPG-29 capable of firing a, Upgraded CV12-9A engines for Challenger 3 and CRARRV, New Hydraulic Track Tensioners (HTT) with inline accumulators, Improved Electric Cold Start System (Intake Manifold Heater), Unspecified new components fitted to improve the transmissions. The gun is made from high strength electro-slag remelting (ESR) steel with a chromium alloy lining. Thats why we are surging our military support. The regiments are called The Queens Royal Hussars, The Kings Royal Hussars, The Royal Tank Regiment, and The Royal Wessex Yeomanry the reserve regiment. [34], On 29 January 2023, the UK Ministry of Defence announced that the first Ukrainian troops had arrived in the UK to begin training on Challenger 2. These upgraded models will be known as Challenger 3. One hundred and forty-eight Challenger 2s are currently being upgraded to 'Challenger 3s' with the remaining 79 vehicles from the fleet set for retirement. Challenger 2 is a third-generation British main battle tank, and it is considered one of the toughest tanks in the world. An 800m contract has been agreed to supply the Army with 148 upgraded, fully-digitised tanks as part of a major overhaul of the armed forces. . The Challenger 2 engine is less powerful than the Western rivals, but this tank is famous for its mechanical reliability. The British Army maintained its requirement for a four-man crew, including a loader, after risk analysis of the incorporation of an automatic loader suggested that autoloaders reduced battlefield survivability. It has been reported that this tank is fitted with a diesel engine . Each tank weighs 62.5 tonnes and is armed with a 120mm rifled gun and a 7.62mm chain gun. Like earlier British 120mm guns, it is insulated by a thermal sleeve. It has been used by the British Army on operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Iraq, and has never experienced a loss at the hands of the enemy. After a production delay, the tank entered service with the British Army in 1998, with the last delivered in 2002. The turret also received modifications to improve the speed of traverse and to provide greater space as well as regenerative braking to generate and store power. It is fitted with a muzzle reference system and fume extractor, and is controlled by an all-electric control and stabilisation system. [24], The maintenance contract was let sometime in 2021. The incident happened on March 25, 2003, when all anti-tank weapons were helpless before Challenger 2, a Challenger 2 itself only needed a single shot to destroy his teammates. With its combat and technological characteristics, these tanks will remain the mainstay weapons of the armies for the next decade. In July 2021, excerpts of the tank's Army Equipment Support Publication (i.e. The initial operating capability for the upgraded Challenger 3 tanks is expected by 2027. [108], In October 2020, the MoD argued against buying a new main battle tank from overseas instead of pursuing the Challenger 2 LEP, stating that an upgraded Challenger 2 would be "comparable and in certain areas superior" to a Leopard 2 or Abrams. [19], A British military document from 2001 indicated that the British Army would not procure a replacement for the Challenger 2 because of a lack of foreseeable conventional threats in the future. They were subsequently deployed during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Operation Telic in 2003, alongside standard Challenger 2 MBTs. the user manual), containing technical specifications of the vehicle, were posted on the official forums of the war simulation game War Thunder; the poster, allegedly a Challenger 2 tank commander, said he had done so in the hope that developer Gaijin Entertainment would modify the performance of the in-game tank to match the specifications detailed in the document. Beriev A-40 Albatros Why does Russia want to revive the worlds largest submarine hunting beast? Production began in 1993 and the unit's tanks were delivered in July 1994, replacing the Challenger 1. 4,200 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition are carried. An electrically fired vent tube is used to initiate firing of the main armament rounds. This may have a bearing on a future replacement of the Challenger 3.[128]. Challenger 2 has a length of 8.3m excluding gun barrel, 3.5m wide, 2.49m high, weighing about 69 tons and 75 tons if equipped with enhanced armor module. The Challenger 2 has the latest Chobham armor and is one of the most protected MBTs in the world today. Mostly, the Russians and Ukrainians are deploying their tanks in combined-arms groupings that also include infantry and fighting vehicles. Other improvements were also considered, including a regenerative NBC protection system. [39] The ammunition storage and handling arrangements had to be changed to cater for the single-piece smoothbore rounds, instead of the separate-loading rifled rounds. Effective range of fire with armor-piercing round is over 3 000 m. The Challenger gun claims the longest-distance tank kill in history. One was destroyed in a friendly fire incident by another Challenger II. how many challenger 2 tanks have been destroyedhow to cancel melaleuca backup order how many challenger 2 tanks have been destroyed Menu social listening brandwatch In July 2001, the commander and operator-loader of a Challenger 2 were killed in an accident in the, On 1 June 2015, a Challenger 2 on exercise in, On 14 June 2017, a Challenger 2 from The Royal Tank Regiment suffered an ammunition explosion during live firing exercises at the, The third and fifth prototype vehicles are displayed at, The seventh prototype vehicle has been plinthed outside the, The eighth prototype is in the teaching collection of the, The ninth prototype vehicle has been displayed outside the. The two squadrons of tanks currently deployed, form part of the British contribution to the NATO Enhanced Forward Presence multinational battlegroup in the Baltics. [126] The leaked excerpts of the AESP document had been edited to appear as though it had been declassified under the UK's Freedom of Information Act 2000. The commander has a panoramic SAGEM VS 580-10 gyrostabilised sight with laser rangefinder. DNA. While American and Russian tanks both fought and some were destroyed in the Middle East, on the contrary, another beast that had fought here without ever being shot down the British Challenger 2. This has occurred for American, Israeli, and German tanks but not for the Challenger due to its limited use in the field. Haziran 22, 2022 . However, in August 2006, an RPG-29 broke through the front armor of Challenger 2, injuring four crew members. These tank has fought in Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. Not in Ukraine - Notably absent in Russia's so-called "special military operation" in Ukraine has been the T-14 Armata tank, but that's probably for the best. The Challenger 2 can create smoke by injecting diesel fuel into the exhaust manifolds. Ordered in 1985, and delivered between 1988 and 1993, the CRARRV has subsequently been updated to use a Challenger 2 powertrain consisting of a CV12-5C/6C engine[115] with TN54E transmission. [16] The MoD rejected these alternatives, and in June 1991[16] the MoD placed a 520 million order for 127 MBTs and 13 driver training vehicles. via the national interest. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Mr Sunaks official spokesman said: We believe that a long and static war only serves to benefit Russia. All the more reason for the Ukrainians to avoid tank battles. [44] The use of an APU allows fuel consumption to be reduced, and lowers the audio and thermal signature of the vehicle. The FV4030/4 Challenger 1 is a British main battle tank (MBT) used by the British Army from 1983 to 2001, when it was superseded by the Challenger 2.The majority of the Challenger 1 fleet was subsequently sold to Jordan where it remained in service with the Royal Jordanian Army until withdrawals were announced in 2018. an RPG-29 round was reported to have penetrated the frontal ERA of a Challenger 2 tank during an engagement in al-Amarah, Iraq, maiming . The upper areas of the running gear and hull are protected in thin skirt armor. The thermal image is displayed on both the gunner's and commander's sights and monitors. [67], In terms of the powertrain, BAE Systems were evaluating whether to uprate the existing CV12 engine or swap this for alternative designs. Here is a list of the countries which have so far pledged tanks to Ukraine, or are reportedly considering to do so. Uniquely among NATO main battle tank guns, the L30A1 is rifled and along with its predecessor, the Royal Ordnance L11A5, the only Third Generation Main Battle Tank Guns to use a rifled barrel. We also discussed new sanctions on Russias missile and drone industry aimed to put an end to Russian missile terror against civilians, the Ukrainian official tweeted. The tanks deployed to Iraq had been 'desertised' in an effort to avoid the difficulties that had been identified in Challenger 2 during Exercise Saif Sareea II in Oman 18 month earlier. A Challenger 2 received 14 RPG-7 hits at close range with a MILAN anti-tank missile damaging the reconnaissance system. The Challenger can also mount a Leonardo "Enforcer" remote control weapons system, bearing a 7.62mm L37A2 (GPMG) machine gun, a 12.7mm heavy machine gun or a 40mm automatic grenade launcher.[38]. We take a closer look in this edition of Truth or Fake with Vedika Bahl.Read more on FRANCE 24 . The Thermal Observation and Gunnery Sight II (TOGS II), from Thales, provides night vision. The Challenger Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicle (CRARRV) is an armoured recovery vehicle based on the Challenger 1 hull, designed to repair and recover damaged tanks on the battlefield. [15][14] The demonstration phase had three milestones for progress, with dates of September 1989, March 1990, and September 1990. Russia vs Britain: How do their militaries stack up. Engineering work is to be completed by RBSL and integration work by Babcock. It was designed as a replacement to the Challenger 1 tank in 1986, and has been in . The good news for Moscow has been that Ukraine has also struggled to produce any new tanks, as its only tank factory was destroyed at the start of the war. How many Abrams have been destroyed? The tank has a glistening service record in Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq. A T-90 crew probably cant even see three miles, much less shoot that far with its 125-millimeter smoothbore gunnot even when the gunner is peering through Russias best Sosna-U day-night sight. The turret has been replaced with a fixed weighted superstructure to accommodate an instructor and up to 4 trainees. [23] The Challenger 2 is expected to remain in service until 2025. The Challenger 2 was also exported to Oman. The 90th operates many of Russias dwindling fleet of new T-90 tanks, as well as the nine surviving examples of the latest BMP-T fighting vehicle. The tank exceeded all staff requirements. Over 50,000 have been built. There are fewer than 500 Challenger 2 tanks in service with the British and Omani armies, and only a few British battalions have been equipped with them at any given time. The infantry protect the tanks, which in turn blast enemy fortifications that block the infantry. The most incredible legend to date was still a Challenger 2 tank that had been hit by 70 RPG-7 anti-tank shells at all distances without damage near Basra province, this tank even just 6 hours of repair before getting ready to return to the battlefield. Secondary armament consists of two 7.62 mm machine guns. [86][87], By 2014, the CSP programme had been replaced by the Life Extension Programme (LEP) which shared a similar scope of replacing obsolete components and extending the tank's service life from 2025 to 2035, however the 120mm smoothbore gun had seemingly been abandoned. The driver lost part of his foot in the blast but the shells in the vehicle were not detonated. The UK is all set to send Ukraine its Challenger 2 battle tanks. The Challenger 2 has a four-man crew. The Challenger 2 is equipped with a 120-millimetre (4.7in) 55-calibre long L30A1 tank gun,[10] the successor to the L11 gun used on the Chieftain and Challenger 1. 233480. Challenger 2 armor is made up of many different layers of materials, with top-secret technology that is still unknown to the present. A combustible rigid charge is used for the APFSDS rounds and a combustible hemicylindrical bag charge for the HESH and smoke rounds. Unupgraded Challenger 2s will be retired. Finland (not in NATO) Poland. Admiral Kuznetsov Russias only aircraft carrier, Ukraine Will Receive 10 Stridsvagn 122 Tanks From Sweden. Each regiment operates 56 Challenger 2 tanks and a similar number of supporting vehicles in tasks such as reconnaissance and ammunition supply. 3,587 vehicles and fuel tanks. The production lines for rifled 120mm ammunition in the UK have been closed for some years so existing stocks of ammunition for the L30A1 are finite. The Leclerc is an able tank and has been in service since 1992. Mass-produced since 1993, officially in service with the British army in 1998 with more than 400 units, Challenger 2 also served in the Royal Omani Army with a total of 38. The crew consists of four people with the driver in the hull and commander, loader and gunner in the turret.