Challenger 2: Ukrainian paratroopers showcase a British tank in action
22 July, 2023 Challenger 2 tank of the Armed Forces. A frame from the Air Assault Forces video British Challenger 2 tanks are in service with the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces.
The military showed these tanks in action for the first time. The Air Assault Forces Command on Saturday published a video of the armor. The paratroopers demonstrated the maneuvers and capabilities of the British main battle tank at the training ground and shared their experiences of the use of Challenger 2 in Ukraine.
Challenger 2 tank of the Armed Forces.
A frame from the Air Assault Forces video
The tank soldiers of the Air Assault Forces are satisfied with the capabilities of these combat vehicles. The servicemen note its excellent passability, maneuverability and firepower.
Challenger 2 tank of the Armed Forces.
A frame from the Air Assault Forces video
"The impressions are excellent - both in exercises and in action," the paratroopers note. However, it is currently unknown whether these tanks have already engaged in hostilities with the Russian invaders.
Challenger 2 tank of the Armed Forces. A frame from the Air Assault Forces video
As previously reported, Britain has provided the Armed Forces of Ukraine with 14 Challenger 2 tanks as part of defensive support in confronting the Russian invasion and to liberate the temporarily occupied territories from the invaders.
This decision was made in January this year. And at the end of the same month, the Ukrainian military arrived in the United Kingdom to master these tanks.
Challenger 2 tank of the Armed Forces, July 2023. A frame from the Air Assault Forces video
At the end of March, the military of the Armed Forces of Ukraine completed training with these tanks and on March 28, the head of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Oleksii Reznikov published a video with the British tanks.
In May 2023, the UK announced that all the promised main battle tanks had already reached the territory of Ukraine.
Challenger 2
The Challenger 2 is a British third generation main battle tank. It is designed and built by British company Vickers Defence Systems. The tank is in service with the armies of the United Kingdom and Oman.
Challenger 2 tank of the Armed Forces, July 2023.
A frame from the Air Assault Forces video
The MBT is equipped with a L30A1 120mm rifled gun with a 55 calibers barrel length, and has a modern fire control system. The ammunition of the 120mm gun has APFSDS, HESH and white phosphorus, as well as smoke and training projectiles. Additional armament includes a coaxial L94A1 7.62mm machine.
At the commander's hatch, a remotely controlled L37A2 7.62mm machine gun is installed on the turret.