Rheinmetall submitted a comprehensive order to extend the life and upgrade the capabilities of the British Army’s Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (MBT) fleet, the company said August 11.
Rheinmetall submitted the offer as a response to the United Kingdom’s Challenger 2 Life Extension Project (LEP) Request for Tender. The company said its offering extends the tank’s life and allows it to be brought in-line with the latest generation of MBT capabilities using proven technology readiness systems.
This offering would replace major obsolete components in the Challenger 2 while also introducing new capabilities to significantly improve the army’s combat power, Rheinmetall said.
The company highlighted that it plans to use its experience with MBTs to undertake all of the aspects of the Challenger 2 LEP Design Authority and to also fully incorporate U.K. suppliers into the program when conducting the fleet upgrade and Through Life Support in the U.K.
“Our team has put together an innovative proposal to solve not only the obsolescence issues of the Challenger 2 but to also cost effectively enhance the capabilities of the MBT,” Ben Hudson, head of Rheinmetall’s vehicle systems division, said in a statement.
Part of the company’s proposal is how Rheinmetall can integrate either the existing 120mm L30 rifled gun or the 120mm L55 smooth bore system, in service with the German Army.
“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 added.
Peter Hardisty, managing director of Rheinmetall’s Defence U.K. and MAN Military Vehicles U.K. subsidiaries, explained the importance of incorporating U.K. suppliers into the process.
“Incorporating U.K. suppliers into our team is fundamental to the long-term supportability of the U.K. fleet and we have had fantastic support already from a number of U.K. partners who are members of our team, including Supacat, Thales UK and BMT.”
Rheinmetall noted its other current main battle tank work in the upgrade and delivery of Leopard 2 MBT’s for two international customers.