The main battle tanks developed in the late Cold War are being modernized to meet the requirements of modern battlefield requirements.
A new modernization solution has been introduced to the UK, which has been studying for some time to extend the life and increase its effectiveness of the Challenger 2 main battle tanks in its inventory. With the package developed by RBSL (Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land), the platform's firepower, survivability, target acquisition and surveillance capabilities will be increased.
It is seen that the most significant change on the platform is in the main weapon system. The 120 mm L30A1 rifled cannon currently in use, was replaced by the Rheinmetall production L55 120 mm 55 calibre smoothbore barrel. The turret of Challenger 2 was strengthened with additional modular armour plates, and its resistance to modern threats was refined. The modular architecture was preferred for the use of new electronic and digital subsystems in the tank, where the preliminary studies were carried out for the integration of hard-kill and soft-kill self-defence systems to increase survivability. New fully digital, long-range sight and display systems have been integrated for commander and gunner use to a platform. In addition, the tank gained digital target detection and tracking equipment. In this way, the situational awareness of Challenger 2 has been increased. It is also among the information in the announcement that the Challenger 2 has achieved the ability to fire DM11 programmable ammunition with the new combat system and main weapon integration.
The interior design of the Challenger 2 main battle tank, which uses two-piece ammunition in the current main weapon system, is also thought to have been modified. No explanation has yet been given about the fate of the Black Night modernization package introduced by BAE Systems in September 2018.
