1-20 of 572 results for subject:"Challenger tanks"
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the level of requirement for a successor capability to Challenger 3 beyond its planned out-of-service date.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the level of requirement for a successor capability to Challenger 3 beyond its planned out-of-service date.
The Ministry of Defence has assessed that there remains an enduring requirement for the capability provided by a Main Battle Tank. The Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank will provide the British Army’s principal armoured fighting capability through the 2030s, and the Department continues to consider how this capability should be sustained in the longer term. No decisions have yet been taken on a specific successor programme.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 7 September 2026 to Question 23423 on Challenger Tanks, on what dates were each of the three Challenger 2 tanks disposed of.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 7 September 2026 to Question 23423 on Challenger Tanks, on what dates were each of the three Challenger 2 tanks disposed of.
It will take time to collate and review the information needed to answer the hon. Member’s question. I will write to him shortly and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has he made of the potential merits of equipping Challenger 3 with a hard-kill Counter-UAS active protection system.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has he made of the potential merits of equipping Challenger 3 with a hard-kill Counter-UAS active protection system.
Challenger 3 is being equipped with a hard-kill Active Protection System as part of its planned survivability enhancements. The Department continues to assess emerging Counter-UAS capabilities and technologies across the force structure to ensure Army platforms remain effective against current and future threats.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Major Projects Annual Report 2025 to 2026, Tables, Armour Main Battle Tank Programme, by when he plans to decide whether to extend the out of service date of Challenger 3 beyond 2040.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Major Projects Annual Report 2025 to 2026, Tables, Armour Main Battle Tank Programme, by when he plans to decide whether to extend the out of service date of Challenger 3 beyond 2040.
The Armour Main Battle Tank Programme is currently subject to an ongoing review of programme performance and a related reapproval process. Under current plans, reapproval is expected during Financial Year 2026-27.
As part of this work, the Department is considering a range of factors, including programme timelines and impacts on associated activities such as training and familiarisation. Decisions relating to the future Out of Service Date for Challenger 3 will be considered through wider capability and investment planning. It would be premature to comment further until these processes have concluded.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026, published on 20 August 2026, what is the status of the three Challenger 2 tanks the fleet has reduced by between 2025 and 2026.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026, published on 20 August 2026, what is the status of the three Challenger 2 tanks the fleet has reduced by between 2025 and 2026.
The Army continually assesses its current and planned capabilities to ensure that it is appropriately equipped to face any adversary. Routine changes in equipment and formation numbers are part of this process.
All of the equipment referenced has either commenced or completed the disposal process in accordance with Defence disposal policy.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 62, what the breakdown is of the £1.1 billion allocated to Challenger 3.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 62, what the breakdown is of the £1.1 billion allocated to Challenger 3.
The £1.1 billion allocation identified in the Defence Investment Plan supports delivery of the Challenger 3 programme. A detailed breakdown of individual contracts and associated costs is commercially sensitive, and disclosure would prejudice the commercial interests of the Department and its suppliers.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what are the latest timelines for Challenger 3 completion.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what are the latest timelines for Challenger 3 completion.
I refer the hon. Member to Question 12210 which remains extant.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 30 June 2026 to question 12407 on Challenger Tanks: Procurement, what is the Initial Operating Capability forecast for Challenger 3.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 30 June 2026 to question 12407 on Challenger Tanks: Procurement, what is the Initial Operating Capability forecast for Challenger 3.
I refer the hon. Member to Question 12210 answered on 30 June which remains extant.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 22 June to Question 10199 on Challenger Tanks: Procurement, what information his Department holds on the supply chain delays.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 22 June to Question 10199 on Challenger Tanks: Procurement, what information his Department holds on the supply chain delays.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 73614, which remains extant. The Department holds detailed programme and supplier performance data for the Challenger 3 programme, including the supply chain. Delays have affected the development and delivery of hardware and software required for the programme’s Demonstration Phase, and these are being closely managed with the Prime Contractor. It would be inappropriate for me to provide information on individual suppliers as this information is considered commercially sensitive.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 22 June to Question 10199 on Challenger Tanks: Procurement, when the demonstration phase trials will (a) begin and (b) conclude.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 22 June to Question 10199 on Challenger Tanks: Procurement, when the demonstration phase trials will (a) begin and (b) conclude.
Challenger 3 Demonstration Phase trials commenced in 2024. The timing for completion of the Demonstration Phase is currently under review as part of ongoing assessment of programme performance.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 24 June to Question 10201 on Challenger Tanks: Procurement, what the total cost is of the upgrade to the Challenger 3 programme.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 24 June to Question 10201 on Challenger Tanks: Procurement, what the total cost is of the upgrade to the Challenger 3 programme.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 24 June to Question 10201.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the Planning Assumption for Service Entry is for Challenger 3.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the Planning Assumption for Service Entry is for Challenger 3.
I refer the hon. Member to Question 100127, which remains extant.
The term Planning Assumption for Service Entry (PASE) is typically used at the Outline Business Case stage in Defence Acquisition and is usually replaced by an Initial Operating Capability forecast once the programme reaches its Full Business Case (FBC) stage. Given the programme FBC was approved, the previous PASE is no longer used as a programme marker.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 22 June to Question 10199 on Challenger Tanks: Procurement, when he plans for formal reapproval to be undertaken.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 22 June to Question 10199 on Challenger Tanks: Procurement, when he plans for formal reapproval to be undertaken.
As I advised within Question 10199, Initial Operating Capability and Full Operating Capability are currently under review. Under current plans, reapproval is planned to take place during Financial Year 2026-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 22 June to Question 10199 on Challenger Tanks: Procurement, whether he has authorised any change to the cost envelope of delivering Challenger 3.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 22 June to Question 10199 on Challenger Tanks: Procurement, whether he has authorised any change to the cost envelope of delivering Challenger 3.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 24 June 2026, to Question 10201. The total approved cost of delivering the Challenger 3 programme remains at £1.9 billion. The programme’s forecast cost remains within the approved project estimate.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of engineering problems caused by gearboxes on the delivery timeline of Challenger 3.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of engineering problems caused by gearboxes on the delivery timeline of Challenger 3.
Challenger 3 remains in the Demonstration phase. The design continues to be refined by the manufacturer to ensure the vehicle meets its required performance standards. As design maturity has improved, the Prime Contractor has refined elements of the design, including the Turret Power Traverse Gearbox, to meet those requirements. This is normal engineering practice and is not assessed to impact the delivery timeline for the tanks.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when will the Challenger 3 programme reach (a) Initial Operating Capability and (b) Full Operating Capability.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when will the Challenger 3 programme reach (a) Initial Operating Capability and (b) Full Operating Capability.
The Challenger 3 manufacture phase timing will be confirmed after the demonstration phase trials prove the performance of the tanks. This complex programme has been impacted by some supply chain delays; the Initial Operating Capability and Full Operating Capability are under review but no formal reapproval has yet been undertaken.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much has his Department spent on the delivery of Challenger 3 as of 16 June 2026.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much has his Department spent on the delivery of Challenger 3 as of 16 June 2026.
As of 31 May 2026, total expenditure on the Challenger 3 programme is approximately £615 million.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the total expected cost of delivering the Challenger 3 programme.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the total expected cost of delivering the Challenger 3 programme.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer to Question 41789, which remains extant. The total approved cost of delivering the Challenger 3 programme remains at £1.9 billion. The programme’s forecast cost remains within the approved project estimate.
https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-03-27/41789
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has authorised a change to the Initial Operating Capability for Challenger 3.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has authorised a change to the Initial Operating Capability for Challenger 3.
The Challenger 3 manufacture phase timing will be confirmed after the demonstration phase trials prove the performance of the tanks. This complex programme has been impacted by some supply chain delays; the Initial Operating Capability and Full Operating Capability are under review but no formal reapproval has yet been undertaken.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of unresolved turret gearbox issues on the delivery timeline of Challenger 3.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of unresolved turret gearbox issues on the delivery timeline of Challenger 3.
Challenger 3 remains in the Demonstration phase. The design continues to be refined by the manufacturer to ensure the vehicle meets its required performance standards. As design maturity has improved, the Prime Contractor has refined elements of the design, including the Turret Power Traverse Gearbox, to meet those requirements. This is normal engineering practice and is not assessed to impact the delivery timeline for the tanks.