British Army to Unveil Challenger 3 Tank at Army Expo 2024

The British Army is set to introduce the newly completed Challenger 3 main battle tank at the upcoming Army Expo 24 in London.

Taking place from 9-13 September, the results of the £800m project conducted under Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) will be shown to the world alongside various other vehicles and equipment that will soon be made available to the Armed Forces.

"The finishing touches are complete on the latest Challenger 3 pre-production vehicle produced at our Telford manufacturing facility, ready for its participation in Army Expo 24," RBSL wrote on social media platform X.

Among the highlights this year at the event will be Ajax, the Army's new variants of armoured fighting and reconnaissance vehicles.

Also on display will be Archer, the Army's fully automated, rapidly deployable artillery field gun, with a range more than 50km, and the AH 64E Apache - which the Army says is the world’s most formidable helicopter.

The five-day Expo takes place in Wellington Barracks in central London.

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 Challenger 3 tank's modernization includes ultrasonic testing, new armor, and a 120-mm German L55A1 gun. Firing tests in Germany this May showcased its long-range capabilities, achieving a range of up to 5,000 meters with the Rheinmetall 120mm L55A1 high-pressure gun and DM73 ammunition. This gun and ammunition enable precision at extended ranges. In comparison, American M1A2 Abrams, Russian T-90M, German Leopard 2A7, and French Leclerc tanks have effective ranges of around 4,000 meters, compared to the Challenger 3's 5,000 meters.

The Challenger 3 features a smoothbore gun, a departure from the rifled gun used in the Challenger 2, and can fire various advanced ammunition types. Its fire control system has been upgraded with advanced targeting and stabilization systems. It features the latest 120mm L55A1 high-pressure gun. The DM73 ammunition marks the next generation of kinetic energy rounds, featuring an enhanced propulsion unit that maximizes the high-pressure capabilities of the L55A1 gun.