As the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine nears its one-year anniversary, Western allies have stepped up navy support to Kiev. Germany, France and the United States have dedicated to sending trendy armored preventing autos to bolster Ukraine’s navy in its battle. While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed his nation’s gratitude for the support, he and different authorities representatives have remained steadfast of their request for essential battle tanks. On January 17, 2023, Britain answered that request.
In addition to AS-90 155mm self-propelled artillery and 1000’s of rounds of cannon shells, the United Kingdom’s Foreign Minister, James Cleverly, introduced that 14 Challenger 2 essential battle tanks can be despatched to Ukraine. “We believe the introduction of NATO main battle tanks will be decisive in expected fighting this spring,” Cleverly mentioned at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
The FV4034 Challenger 2 entered service with the British Army in June 1998. Although the Challenger is slower than the American M1 Abrams and German Leopard 2 essential battle tanks, its gun provides the British tank a definite preventing benefit. Whereas the Abrams and Leopard 2 have smoothbore weapons, the Challenger 2’s conventional rifled-barrel gun offers higher vary.
To praise its long-range gun, the Challenger 2 is closely armored and effectively protected. It options composite ceramic Chobham armor, the similar kind used on the M1. Explosive reactive armor may also be fitted to enhance the tank’s survivability. As with each British tank since the post-WWII Centurion, the Challenger 2 is additionally outfitted with a boiling vessel to warmth meals and make tea.
The Challenger 2 was first deployed on peacekeeping missions in Bosnia and Kosovo. In March 2003, it noticed its first fight in Iraq. During the 2003 invasion, Challenger 2s suffered zero losses to Iraqi hearth. One tank was hit by 14 RPGs at shut vary and an anti-tank missile. The crew remained secure inside the tank till it was recovered. Incredibly, it was serviced and returned to motion simply six hours later. Another Challenger 2 reported being hit by 70 RPGs with none lack of crew. The solely operational lack of a Challenger 2 was on account of pleasant hearth from one other Challenger 2, leading to the deaths of two of the 4 crew members.
Although Poland has delivered over 260 Soviet-era T-72 essential battle tanks to Ukraine, Britain’s dedication of Challenger 2s represents the first contribution of a Western BMT to Ukraine. It is nonetheless unknown whether or not or not the United States and Germany will comply with swimsuit with their very own MBTs.
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Ukraine is getting this badass tank from the United Kingdom
Ukraine is getting this badass tank from the United Kingdom
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Ukraine is getting this badass tank from the United Kingdom