Challenger 3: First crewed live firing trials completed
Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) has conducted the first crewed live firing of the Challenger 3, marking a major milestone for the British Army’s modernisation programme.
BLUF:
- First crewed live firing trials of Challenger are an important milestone on the platform’s route to service.
- The programme remains on track for Initial Operating Capability (IOC) in 2027.
- The tank will form a core element of the British Army’s combat power, however, it is moving towards a model that places greater reliance on drones and long-range strike.
RBSL has conducted the first firing trials of the new Challenger 3 turret with a crew in the vehicle, according to a January 20 press release. The testing followed a phased assurance process designed to validate the safety and robustness of the new turret and weapon systems. Initial trials were conducted via remote operation before RBSL personnel moved into the turret for crewed firing. This progression is a critical step in the “progressive assurance” required before the tank can enter full operational service.
“Firing the vehicle first remotely [in 2024] 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,” said Rebecca Richards, Managing Director of RBSL.
The firing trials followed mobility trials in September 2025, which tested the platform for vibration and noise, a painful topic for the British Army. The data from those tests, which included 789 km of travel, was also used to help programme a turret test rig, which will be used to run battlefield missions from RBSL’s Telford facility.
Once these trials are complete, the platform will move to the System Qualification Review (SQR), which will finalise the manufacturing standard that will be used to produce the remaining tanks.
The successful firing trials move the £800 million ($1.01 billion/€934.33 million) programme closer to its 2027 Initial Operating Capability (IOC) target. Full delivery of all 148 modernised platforms is expected to be completed by 2030, providing the core direct firepower required for the British Army’s warfighting capability.
- Challenger 3: the heart of the Army’s warfighting capability – Calibre Defence
- Challenger 3: Inside the TrueHunter Commander Sight with Thales – Calibre Defence
The transition from a rifled to a smoothbore main armament is the central feature of the Challenger 3 upgrade. The Rheinmetall L55A1 high-pressure gun allows for the use of NATO-standard single-piece ammunition, a departure from the two-piece rounds used by the Challenger 2. It also allows for higher chamber pressures than the standard L55, which means it can fire ammunition at higher velocities.
It will eventually be able to fire the latest kinetic energy anti-tank rounds and programmable multipurpose ammunition. These include the DM73 and DM11 natures, which are intended to provide a significant increase in muzzle velocity and armour penetration, as well as an effective engagement range of up to 5,000 metres. Challenger 3 was described as the most lethal tank in Europe. However, it is worth noting that the Leopard 2A8 carries the same gun and a sight that, on paper, appears to be more capable. Technically speaking, this would suggest that the Leopard is the more lethal tank.
The Challenger 3 commander is provided with the TrueHunter commander sight from Thales. Utilising Mid-Wave Infrared (MWIR) sensors and SharpView thermal imaging technology, the sight offers improved atmospheric penetration compared to the legacy Long-Wave Infrared (LWIR) systems. The sight is software-defined, incorporating detection and tracking algorithms designed to reduce operator burden.
Calibre comment: What is the future of the tank?
Many forces like Germany and Israel are doubling down on tanks, increasing their production of them alongside other armoured vehicles. This gives the impression that they see a lot of continued value in them. The UK, however, is going in a slightly different direction. Whilst Challenger 3 will still be expected to provide immense firepower and decisive overmatch, the British Army is placing a lot of eggs in the long-range strike basket. It hopes that using drones, loitering munitions, and artillery to reduce an enemy’s force quite considerably before advancing will help preserve its limited armoured forces. The concept has some merit, and has been demonstrated to be successful in Ukraine. However, it will depend on the British MoD’s ability to resource the concept, which is presently a considerable bottleneck.
By Sam Cranny-Evans, published on January 21, 2026. The lead image shows Challenger 3 during the firing trials. Credit: RBSL.
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