The British Army’s next-generation Main Battle Tank has passed a major development milestone after successfully completing its first crewed live firing trials on UK soil.

Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) has successfully completed the first crewed live firing of Challenger 3 – a landmark achievement for the programme and a testament to the close collaboration between RBSL, DE&S and the Army programme team.

The latest trials marked the first UK firing of a newly developed Main Battle Tank in more than 30 years.

Part of the progressive assurance of the tank’s capabilities and systems before it enters service, the trial followed a carefully phased programme, beginning with remote operation before progressing to crewed firing by RBSL personnel.

Challenger 3 is equipped with the 120mm smoothbore L55A1 cannon manufactured by Rheinmetall Waffe Munitions. It fires the latest kinetic energy anti-tank rounds and programmable multipurpose ammunition.

Rebecca Richards, Managing Director of Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land, said:

“This is a hugely significant achievement for the Challenger 3 programme and a testament to the skill and dedication of the teams delivering it.

“Firing the vehicle first remotely and then with a crew in the turret reflects the enormous amount of work that has gone into ensuring the design is safe, robust and ready.

“Seeing Challenger 3 fire successfully with a crew in the turret demonstrates just how far the programme has progressed and marks a proud moment for UK armoured vehicle development.”

Army Senior Responsible Owner, Mark Colley, said:

“This milestone reflects the benefits of the close collaboration between the Ministry of Defence and industry. The successful crewed firing of Challenger 3 demonstrates tangible progress in delivering the modernised, Main Battle Tank the British Army needs.”

The programme now moves into its next phase, with additional crewed firing activity and initial reliability growth trials planned for later this year as Challenger 3 progresses towards full operational capability.

Challenger 3 is the centrepiece of the British Army’s armoured modernisation programme and will deliver a step change in lethality, survivability and digital integration. The platform will sustain the UK’s heavy armour capability out to at least 2040.

The contract has also attracted a £40 million inward investment in RBSL’s Telford facility, utilising a European supply chain, the majority being skilled UK-based SMEs spread throughout the UK, from the West Midlands, Glasgow, Newcastle upon Tyne to the Isle of Wight.