The Challenger 2 main battle tank entered service in the British Army in 1994, although its development dates back to the 1980s. Since then, it has served in Yugoslavia, Eastern Europe, and Iraq in the Middle East, and not one model has ever been lost to enemy fire. Despite its impressive firepower and armor, the tank's turret is outdated by modern standards, especially its rifled gun barrel. Consequently, almost 25 years after its introduction on the battlefield, the British Army has decided to

During the next ten years, 148 of the British Army's 227 existing Challenger 2 main battle tanks are set to be upgraded as part of an £800m contract. The changes focus on a new turret being added to the existing Challenger 2 hulls - the Ministry of Defence says the upgraded tank, named 'Challenger 3', will be the "most lethal tank in Europe". The new tank plans were unveiled as long-awaited upgrades to the Warrior armoured vehicle were cancelled - a programme that also focused on building a new