Challenger 3 reaches key milestone with first ever crewed live firing
Peter Felstead
Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) has successfully completed the first crewed live firing of the Challenger 3 main battle tank (MBT), the company announced on 20 January 2026.
The crewed live firing of the Challenger 3’s Rheinmetall 120 mm smoothbore L55A1 cannon is a significant step towards delivery of the next-generation MBT to the British Army.
This latest Challenger 3 trial, held recently at a UK Ministry of Defence Training Centre, marked the first UK firing of a newly developed MBT in more than 30 years, RBSL noted.
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.
“This is a hugely significant achievement for the Challenger 3 programme and a testament to the skill and dedication of the teams delivering it,” Rebecca Richards, managing director of RBSL, was quoted as saying in a company press release. “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. This shows just how far the programme has progressed and marks a proud moment for UK armoured vehicle development.”
Mark Colley, the British Army’s senior responsible owner for the Challenger 3 programme, added, “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 Challenger 3 will now undergo further trials as it moves towards operational service as the centrepiece of the modernisation of the British Army’s armoured force.
Under a GBP 800 million (EUR 918 million) contract awarded in May 2021, RBSL will deliver 148 MBTs modernised to the Challenger 3 standard to the British Army.
![Only 148 of the British Army’s Challenger 2 MBTs will be upgraded to the Challenger 3 standard. [Crown Copyright 2025]](https://euro-sd.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/01_Challenger-3-RBSL_UK-MoD-Kopie-218x150.jpg "Challenger 3: Rising to the Challenge")
