RBSL Secures Contract for Modular Armor System in Challenger 3 Program

Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) has secured a contract for the delivery of a modular armor protection system for the Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank, marking a notable development in the program.

The new armor, designed in collaboration with the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), is intended to enhance the Challenger 3's survivability by providing improved protection against various threats. Following integration trials in 2023, RBSL is set to proceed with testing, manufacturing, and integration of the new armor onto the Challenger 3 tanks.

The modular armor is promoted as a critical element in enhancing protection for soldiers and reinforcing the Challenger 3's role within the Army’s Future Armoured Brigade Combat Teams and NATO deterrence efforts. The contract, aligning with the Land Industry Strategy, aims to generate British intellectual property, sustain the national supply chain, and secure essential skills within the UK. It is expected to support up to 58 jobs in Newcastle and Telford during the initial manufacturing phase and beyond, contingent on securing export orders.

Colonel Will Waugh, Senior Responsible Owner for the Army’s Armour (MBT) Programme, commented on the contract, emphasizing its significance in advancing the Army's next-generation Main Battle Tank capability. Waugh noted the timely relevance of the new armor in light of potential threats, as exemplified by the conflict in Ukraine.

The Challenger 3 program is presented not only as a means of delivering a modernized Main Battle Tank but also as an initiative to revitalize critical industrial capabilities in the UK. It leverages British engineering and manufacturing while purportedly nurturing skills across the country. Colin McClean, RBSL Managing Director, highlighted the industrial investment's transformative impact, positioning Telford at the forefront of Armour Development and Manufacture.

Maj Gen Darren Crook CBE, Director Land Equipment, underscored the dual impact of the contract, securing a battle-winning armor solution for the British Army while purportedly bolstering the nation's defense sector skills. The Land Industrial Strategy is presented as being in action, illustrating a collective commitment to the development and preservation of skills in the defense sector for future generations.

Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) officially announced the contract award on its website, affirming its role in supplying a new modular armor protection system for the Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank. The collaboration between RBSL and DSTL in developing this advanced armor is highlighted as showcasing world-class sovereign capability.

The Challenger 3 program's timeline has seen acceleration, responding to global geopolitical developments. Upgrades to Challenger 2 tanks are progressing swiftly, with the first batch undergoing enhancements at the RBSL Armored Plant in Telford. The new turret, featuring a German L55A1 120 mm gun, is being installed on upgraded Challenger 2 hulls, with production initiated at Armstrong Works in Newcastle.

The first Challenger 3 tanks are slated to join the Royal Tank Regiment in 2025, aligning with the Ministry of Defense's plan to modernize a total of 147 tanks. The RBSL Armored Plant, specializing in the production of Boxer armored personnel carriers, Challenger 3 tanks, and other armored vehicles, will be pivotal in executing this extensive modernization process.

The Challenger 3 tank's comprehensive modernization includes ultrasonic testing for weld integrity, replacement of the old composite armor with the EPSON composite armor package, and fitting new mountings for the Farnham additional protection mounting blocks. The upgraded tank, equipped with a 120-mm German L55A1 gun, represents a significant development, with the new turrets manufactured through welding, a departure from the casting method employed with the Challenger 2.