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Vickers Challenger vs Leopard 1

Vickers Challenger main battle tank side profile drawing
🇬🇧 Vickers Challenger
Leopard 1 main battle tank side profile drawing
🇩🇪 Leopard 1
Change comparison vs
Specifications
Vickers Challenger Leopard 1
Origin country 🇬🇧 United Kingdom 🇩🇪 Germany
Category Main Battle Tank Main Battle Tank
Type Heavy Main Battle Tank Medium Main Battle Tank
Manufacturer Vickers Defense Systems Krauss-Maffei
Number produced 420 units 6,565 units
Estimated unit price $1.5 million $0.3 million
Combat weight 62.0 tons 42.4 tons
Maximum speed 56 km/h 65 km/h
Operational range 450 km 600 km
Length 11.56 m 9.54 m
Width 3.51 m 3.37 m
Height 2.95 m 2.70 m
Crew 4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver) 4 (commander, driver, gunner, radio operator/loader)
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Powertrain
Vickers Challenger Leopard 1
Main armament Royal Ordnance L11A5 120 mm rifled gun 105 mm Royal Ordnance L7 A3 L/52 rifled gun
Secondary weapon 7.62 mm L8A2 7.62 mm MG 3 or FN MAG (co-axial)
Engine Perkins CV12 26 litre diesel 1,200 hp (895 kW) MTU MB 838 MTCA Diesel Engine with 830 hp

Overview

The Vickers Challenger and the Leopard 1 are both Main Battle Tanks, manufactured by Vickers Defense Systems and Krauss-Maffei respectively.

The Vickers Challenger weighs 62.0 tons vs 42.4 tons for the Leopard 1. Top speed is 56 km/h for the Vickers Challenger vs 65 km/h for the Leopard 1. Operational range is 450 km for the Vickers Challenger vs 600 km for the Leopard 1. The Vickers Challenger is armed with a Royal Ordnance L11A5 120 mm rifled gun, while the Leopard 1 carries a 105 mm Royal Ordnance L7 A3 L/52 rifled gun.

The Vickers Challenger has been produced in 420 units vs 6,565 for the Leopard 1. Unit cost is $1.5M for the Vickers Challenger vs $0.25M for the Leopard 1. The Leopard 1 entered service 18 years before the Vickers Challenger (1965 vs 1983).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is faster, the Vickers Challenger or Leopard 1?
The Leopard 1 is faster with a maximum road speed of 65 km/h compared to the Vickers Challenger's 56 km/h.
Which has longer operational range, the Vickers Challenger or Leopard 1?
The Leopard 1 has a longer operational range at 600 km compared to the Vickers Challenger's 450 km.
Which is heavier, the Vickers Challenger or Leopard 1?
The Vickers Challenger is heavier at 62.0 tons combat weight compared to the Leopard 1's 42.4 tons.
Which is larger, the Vickers Challenger or Leopard 1?
The Vickers Challenger is longer at 11.56 meters compared to the Leopard 1's 9.54 meters.
How many crew members do the Vickers Challenger and Leopard 1 require?
The Vickers Challenger requires a larger crew of 4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver) compared to the Leopard 1's 4 (commander, driver, gunner, radio operator/loader) crew members.
Which is more expensive, the Vickers Challenger or Leopard 1?
The Vickers Challenger is more expensive at approximately $1.5 million per unit compared to the Leopard 1 at $0.2 million.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Vickers Challenger or Leopard 1?
The Leopard 1 has been produced in greater numbers with 6,565 units compared to 420 units of the Vickers Challenger.
What are the main armaments of the Vickers Challenger and Leopard 1?
The Vickers Challenger is armed with Royal Ordnance L11A5 120 mm rifled gun while the Leopard 1 carries 105 mm Royal Ordnance L7 A3 L/52 rifled gun as its main armament.