Challenger

The Challenger 1's design originated from an Iranian order for an advanced version of the Chieftain tank. Following the fall of the Shah of Iran, the project was reoriented to meet the requirements of the British Army. Initially given a different name, it was soon retitled "Challenger," reusing a name from a World War II cruiser tank. The vehicle officially entered service with the British Army in 1983, with production continuing until 1990. The Challenger 1's service with the British Army concluded in 2001, as it was progressively replaced by its more capable successor.

The most notable feature of the Challenger 1 was its revolutionary Chobham composite armour, which provided a level of protection vastly superior to the conventional steel armour of the era. This defensive capability was complemented by a hydropneumatic suspension system that afforded outstanding cross-country mobility. The tank was operated by a four-person crew and equipped with a 120 mm rifled main gun. For combat effectiveness, particularly at night or in poor visibility, it was fitted with a Thermal Observation and Gunnery System (TOGS) and a Global Positioning System (GPS), which proved decisive in combat engagements. While its performance in peacetime gunnery competitions drew criticism, its reliability and effectiveness in actual battle were highly praised by its commanders.

Challenger 1's most significant combat deployment was during the 1990-1991 Gulf War. For this operation, the tanks were upgraded with additional Chobham and explosive reactive armour for enhanced survivability in the desert theatre. Despite initial concerns about reliability in the harsh environment, the tanks performed exceptionally well, spearheading the advance of the 1st (UK) Armoured Division. British Challengers were credited with destroying approximately 300 Iraqi tanks without suffering a single loss in combat, including achieving one of the longest-range tank-on-tank kills ever recorded. The tank was also deployed by the British Army on peacekeeping operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo. Following its retirement from British service, the majority of the fleet was sold to Jordan, where it was designated Al-Hussein. These tanks served with the Royal Jordanian Army until they were retired and placed in storage by early 2023.

United Kingdom • Jordan • Oman • Ukraine