Russians hit UK-made Challenger 2 tank
Russian invaders could have hit one of the British Challenger 2 battle tanks handed over to the Armed Forces, and a video appeared on the internet showing this tank on fire.
Source: BBC
Details: Journalists claim there is almost no doubt that it is a Challenger 2 tank. The video shows the typical spare fuel tanks, one of which fell off, probably at the moment when the tank was hit.
Destroyed Ukrainian Challenger 2 outside of Robotyne, most likely from the 82nd Air Assault Brigade. pic.twitter.com/KInjnmfs4F— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) September 5, 2023
In addition, the footage shows an armoured thermal imager box on top of the gun, which is installed on these tanks. A source in a Western defence department confirmed to the BBC that the video footage features a Challenger 2 tank.
The fate of the tank crew is unknown, but these vehicles are distinguished by very good protection. In addition, although the video shows that the tank is on fire, but it does not appear to have been destroyed and there are no signs of an internal explosion.
A BBC source in a Western defence department said that the crew of four survived.
These tanks are in service with the 82nd Separate Airborne Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which has been participating in the offensive in Zaporizhzhia Oblast since the end of August.
So far, no such tank has been lost in battle as a result of Russian fire. The only Challenger 2 destroyed was hit by "friendly fire" in Iraq in 2003.
However, such a reputation is not so much a consequence of the exceptional qualities of this combat vehicle. The fact is that only about 450 units were built. Although Challenger 2 tanks fought in Yugoslavia and Iraq, statistically speaking, they have rarely participated in battles.
One of the tank's main advantages is the Chobham composite armour, which uses ceramic plates.
Such armour is effective against both cumulative ammunition (cumulative projectiles, anti-tank missiles, or rocket-propelled grenades that penetrate armour with a very narrow jet formed by explosive products and molten metal) and subcaliber projectiles.
The tank is best protected from the front, while the sides and stern are less protected.
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