Ukrainian forces operating British-supplied Challenger 2 battle tanks have praised their accuracy and survivability as they continue to use the kit inside Russia.
The tanks were provided to the Ukrainians in January 2023 and have recently been used inside Russia as part of Ukraine’s offensive drive in the Kursk region.
Oleksandr, a tank commander with the 82nd Airborne Assault Bukovyna Brigade, believes that the accuracy of the sophisticated system means that it “works like a sniper”.
His comrade Stanislav, who serves as a loader in the tank crew, agrees with his boss’s praise.
He told ArmyInform: “If two tanks appear – one at 1800 meters and the other at 2300 meters – a laser measurement is taken for both tanks, and the computer stores the data for both targets.
“When the commander decides which one to engage, the gunner can simply switch between targets with the press of a single button.”
The praise of the Challenger 2 comes in contrast to recent Ukrainian criticism of the US Abrams tank for its “insufficient armour”.
One crew member using the tank, known by the callsign Joker, said: “The tank’s armour is not sufficient for this moment, it doesn’t protect the crew. For real, today, this is the war of drones. So now, when the tank rolls out, they always try to hit them.”
In addition, Ukrainian soldiers have expressed concerns about the Abrams tanks’ armor, according to a report from The EurAsian Times, suggesting it may not be adequate to withstand modern weaponry.
The report added that earlier this year, Ukrainian crews who trained with Abrams tanks in Germany claimed the tanks sometimes failed to hit their targets precisely.
But retired US Army General Mark Hertling defended the performance of the Abrams, claiming some of the issues raised, such as condensation on the tank’s instruments, were exaggerated and misleading.
The Challenger 2 tank has been in service with the British army since 1994 and has seen service in the Balkans and Iraq.
The decision to provide 14 tanks to Ukraine early last year prompted Germany and the US to do the same, giving Ukrainian military leaders increased strategic flexibility.
Last September, one of the Challengers was destroyed in Ukraine, the first time the kit had experienced loss at the hands of the enemy.
The tank requires four people to operate it, consisting of a commander, a loader for the munitions, a gunner and a driver.
The tank has become a prime target for Russian forces, unsurprising given its prowess on the battlefield.
Last month, Russian forces claimed to have destroyed a Challenger 2 with a drone, a claim that was ultimately proven to be false.
Key to its survivability is its mobility, with a top off-road speed of 25mph allowing it manoeuvre around the battlefield at pace.
