British Army considering Challenger replacement as response to Russia's Armata?

[CougarKing]

Perhaps future "Challenger 3s" at BATUS within 10 years from now or so?

Janes

DSEI 2015: British Army considers new MBT in response to Russia's Armata

Tim Ripley, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
20 September 2015


The UK is looking at upgrade or replacement options for its current Challenger 2 MBT
The effort has partly been prompted by the unveiling of Russia's new-generation T-14 Armata MBT in May
Senior British Army officers and procurement officials are examining the future of the BAE Systems Challenger 2 main battle tank (MBT), including possibly buying a new vehicle.

The effort is a continuation of a project launched more than a decade ago to upgrade the British Army's tank fleet, but earlier this year army chiefs ordered a wider effort to look at radical solutions to the increasing obsolescence of the service's 227 Challenger 2s.

Speaking at DSEI in London on 16 September, the head of the British Army, General Sir Nick Carter, confirmed that the future of the Challenger 2 was being considered at the army's highest levels.

Asked if the army was looking to buy a new tank to counter the recently unveiled Russian T-14 Armata, Gen Carter said, "We have got issues with the tanks we've got and if we don't do something about it we will have issues - what we will do is in discussion."

A senior army procurement officer told IHS Jane's that a new MBT was one option being considered, alongside a limited life extension programme (LEP) to replace obsolete parts or a wider upgrade. "We have not decided on the scope of the programme," he said.

(...SNIPPED)

 

[Shrek1985]

Well, with all they were going to need to do to make the ammo storage for the 120mm Smoothbore work (Separate loading-single-loading), they really may as well have started on a whole new tank.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

The US could replace their entire tank fleet on a 2 new re-furbished M1's for every Challenger and never notice the difference in their own stocks.

 

[Bearpaw]

It will be interesting to see what the new tanks designers reaction to this will be:

http://nextbigfuture.com/2015/11/russia-making-tank-killer-with-152-mm.html#more

Bearpaw

 

[a_majoor]

On a different thread there was a proposal for a US heavy combat team based on the German PUMA IFV and a modified version as the "tank" carrying the 120mm cannon. Engineering vehicles and other supporting vehicles are implied to be based off the PUMA as well.

http://www.douglasmacgregor.com/LRSGBriefing.pdf

Since the PUMA is already in service, R&D would be minimal, and I'm sure licensing agreements could be made across the board for the UK and the US to build these in country, allowing modern fleets to come into service quickly and cheaply.

Of course this is so sensible that no one will ever act upon it.....

 

[Canuck_Jock]

It will be interesting to see what the new tanks designers reaction to this will be:

http://nextbigfuture.com/2015/11/russia-making-tank-killer-with-152-mm.html#more

Bearpaw

"...the 2A88 152 mm gun has a range of up to 70 kilometres using precision-guided rounds..."

Well lets face it, getting the range is only as good as your target acquisition.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

Can you say "short barrel life"