Rheinmetall Offers To Upgrade Challenger 2 Tank Fleet

Rheinmetall has submitted a bid to upgrade the capabilities of the challenger 2 tank fleet in response to the system’s Life Extension Project.

“Rheinmetall’s solution will replace major obsolete components in the Challenger 2 while at the same time introducing new capabilities that will substantially improve the combat power of the British Army.” Ben Hudson, Head of Rheinmetall’s Vehicle Systems Division, said in a statement Friday.

“Our team has put together an innovative proposal to solve not only the obsolescence issues of the Challenger 2 but to cost effectively enhance the capabilities of the MBT. One example of this is that our solution can integrate either the existing 120mm L30 rifled gun or our 120mm L55 smooth bore system that is in service with the German Army and can fire the latest generation kinetic energy rounds and our unique 120mm air-burst ammunition. When combined with the new optronics, situational awareness and fire control systems our solution will allow the Challenger 2 to fight, survive and win on the battlefields of today and tomorrow,” Hudson said.

BAE Systems and others in the industry have expressed interest in the Challenger tank upgrade project. As announced in the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review, Challenger 2 will form a key part of the British Army’s capability until 2035. In order to achieve this, several key systems will need to be replaced.

The MoD is to name the winning teams around October and select a winning submission in 2019.