British Army's Challenger 3 Tank Completes First-ever Live Firing

The British Army’s next-generation Challenger 3 main battle tank has completed its first-ever crewed live firing, marking a key milestone in the programme intended to sustain the U.K.’s heavy armour capability into the 2040s.

Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), the procurement arm of the U.K. Ministry of Defence, confirmed the trial took place at an undisclosed firing range. This test marks the first time in more than three decades that a newly developed British main battle tank has fired its main gun in the United Kingdom.

The trial was led by Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL), the joint venture between Germany’s Rheinmetall and Britain’s BAE Systems developing Challenger 3. It followed a phased assurance programme that began with remote firing of the main gun before progressing to crewed firing by RBSL personnel alongside the British Army and DE&S.

Challenger 3 is equipped with the Rheinmetall Waffe Munitions-built 120mm smoothbore L55A1 cannon, replacing the rifled L30A1 gun used on Challenger 2. The new weapon fires NATO-standard single-piece ammunition, including kinetic-energy anti-tank rounds and programmable multipurpose munitions, improving interoperability with allied forces. The move to single-piece rounds reduces onboard ammunition stowage to 31 rounds, down from 49 on Challenger 2, with ammunition stored in an isolated turret bustle to improve survivability.

Beyond the main gun, Challenger 3 introduces a digitised turret with open-architecture electronics, incorporating Thales Orion sights and the Day/Night Gunner and Panoramic Sight (DNGS T3), also fitted to the Army’s Ajax vehicles. Protection upgrades include a new modular armour system and provision for the Israeli-made Trophy active protection system to counter anti-tank guided missiles and rocket-propelled grenades. Mobility improvements are being delivered under the Heavy Armour Automotive Improvement Project, upgrading the engine, suspension and cooling systems without increasing engine power.

The tank is being manufactured at RBSL’s Telford facility under a contract valued at more than £800 million, which has attracted £40 million in inward investment and relies heavily on U.K.-based small and medium-sized suppliers. The programme will convert 148 Challenger 2 tanks to the Challenger 3 standard, including eight prototypes, with entry into service planned for 2027.

Further crewed firing activity and reliability growth trials are scheduled later this year as Challenger 3 moves toward full operational capability.