war in Ukraine
Ukraine loses first Challenger 2 tank in advance at Robotyne
The tank burns on the way to Werbowe
In the Robotyne area, Ukrainian forces broke through the main line of defense. There were also losses. For the first time a heavy British main battle tank of the type Challenger 2 was destroyed.
The 14 British tanks went to an elite Ukrainian formation, the 82nd Air Assault Brigade. In recent days, this unit has been supporting the successful Ukrainian attack in the Robotyne area. The Challenger 2 was destroyed en route to neighboring Werbowe. Here the Ukrainians were able to break through the Russian main line of defense in front of the actual location.
Better crew protection
How the tank was lost cannot be deduced from the video, only that it did not explode – because the turret is on the hull. This is a sign that the crew had a chance to get off the tank. Due to the location of the ammunition in a ring under the turret, the Soviet T-72, T-80 or T-90 tend to explode immediately if hit in the combat compartment. The better security of western tanks does not mean that they cannot be destroyed, but that the crew has a better chance of getting out of the vehicle alive. Only recently was it claimed that not a single Ukrainian had died in a Leopard 2 so far.
The Challenger 2 is one of the most modern and best tanks in the world. It is armed with a 120 mm caliber combat vehicle cannon. But unlike the Leopard 2, no smoothbore was used. The 55 caliber L30A1 tank gun uses rifling in the barrel because the British want to continue using HESH ammunition. Today, these pinch-head grenades are rarely used because they are ineffective against modern composite armor.
Special ammunition
The secondary armament consists of a machine gun and a chaingun – both in 7.62 mm caliber. The “chain gun” does not derive the power required for automatic firing from the gas pressure of the shots. It is driven by a chain – like a bicycle. The Challenger is fitted with second generation Chobham armor and is considered to be very well protected. This layered armor should achieve twice the protective effect compared to steel with the same thickness.
Protection of the crew of four was a priority of the design. As a dueling tank, the Challenger 2 should be superior to all T-models used in Ukraine. Especially if he is used in the defensive role according to the original NATO scenario. Protection and firepower come at a price, however. The tank already weighs 64 tons “bare”, with modules the weight increases to 75 tons. This makes the Challenger 2 the heaviest main battle tank in the world. The Russian T-90 weighs less than 50 tons. Off-road, the top speed is just 40 km/h, and it drops when the ground conditions are difficult.
Target acquisition and fire control system are considered excellent – reliable hits are achieved up to two kilometers. In the 1991 Gulf War, a Challenger 2 reportedly knocked out an Iraqi tank from nearly 5 kilometers (3 miles) away.