The Challenger 2 is the British main battle tank (MBT) currently
in service and was designed andbuilt by the British company Vickers
Defence Systems (now known as BAE Systems Land andArmaments ).
Challenger 2 is an extensive redesign o the Challenger 1 .
!lthough the hull and automotivecomponents seem similar" they are o
a newer design and build than those o the Challenger #" and
ewer than $% o components are interchangeable. Challenger 2
replaced Challenger # in servicewith the British Army and is also
used by the Royal Army of Oman . &t has seen operationalservice
in Bosnia" 'osovo and &ra .
&n une #**#" a ter competition with other tank manu
acturers+ designs (including the M1AAbrams and the Leo!ard the Mo,
placed a -$2 million order or #2/ MBTs and #0 driver
trainingvehicles. !n order or a urther 2$* tanks and * driver
trainers (worth -1 million) was placed in
#** . 3man ordered #1 Challenger 2s in #**0 and a urther 2 tanks
in 4ovember #**/.
Challenger 2 entered service with the British !rmy in #**1 (with
the 2nd 5oyal Tank 5egiment in6ermany)" with the last delivered in
2 2. &t is expected to remain in service until 2 0$. &t
serves
with the Royal Scots Dragoon "#ards " the Royal Dragoon "#ards "
the $#een%s Royal ssars "the 'ing%s Royal ssars and the nd Royal
(ank Regiment " each o which is the tank unit o anarmoured or a
mechanised brigade. 3ne s uadron o the 1st Royal (ank Regiment
usesChallenger 2 in a training and demonstration role.
