Challenger 1 (FV4030/4)

The Challenger series was an off-shoot of the main battle tank designed to an Iranian export order that was to be designated as the "Shir 2". When the Shah of Iran was overthrown by a fundamentalist regime in 1979, the initial order of 1,225 Shir 2 tanks was cancelled. The resulting Shir 2 design was instead reinstituted as a British Army concept, which became the Challenger series of tanks - now spanning two major production models in the Challenger 1 and the much improved Challenger 2 - providing the British Army with a capable main battle tank system.

With Britain on the search for a new main battle tank to replace the aging Chieftain series and a joint MBT development deal with West Germany falling through, thought was given to a new development program under the designation of MBT-80. Unfortunately the MBT-80 program stalled substantially and cost overruns forced the cancellation of the project in favor of reconstituting the Shir 2 design as the "Challenger", albeit with modernized systems and modifications to suit changing British Army requirements along with functionality for operations in more temperate climates.

The Challenger appeared in 1983 and featured advanced Chobham armor and the powerful L11A5 type 120mm main gun as debuted on the Chieftain. Like the Chieftain, six large road wheels dominated either track side and side skirting was implemented for improved crew and internal structure protection. The engine was mounted conventionally at the rear of the hull and consisted of a single Perkins Condor V-12 diesel engine generating roughly 1,200bhp. The turret design featured sloped angles and a crew of 4 personnel. Sixty-four ammunition projectiles could be carried for the 120mm main gun. Standard defensive armament included a 7.62mm co-axial machine gun mounted alongside the main gun as well as a trainable 7.62mm anti-aircraft system on top of the turret. Smoke grenade launchers were added in two banks of 4 launchers per turret side.

As common with most main battle tank designs, the chassis of the Challenger series was utilized in other battlefield forms including a driver trainer (with fixed turret), a commander's tank and an Armored Repair and Recovery Vehicle. Additionally, combat Mark versions would consist of the Challenger Mk 1, Mk 2, Mk 3 and Mk 4 - each with various subtle modifications distinguishing one from the other. With the arrival of the improved "Challenger 2", the official designation of "Challenger 1" was adopted to signify differences to all previous Challenger models. All Challenger 1 combat models were retired from British Army service as recently as 2000 while the Challenger 2 took its place as the frontline implement. Jordan became the only other operator of refurbished Challenger 1 tanks thereafter and maintains some 288 examples designated as “Al Hussein”.

Challenger 1 was fielded in the Persian Gulf War and the Bosnian War. 420 total production models were produced with first deliveries to The Royal Hussars. Operating units included the 14th/20th King's Own Hussars, the 13th/8th Hussars and the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment.

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Last Updated: 5/4/2009 • Special Thanks to Alexander U.