In June, Russian allegations were reported indicating the presence of a Challenger 2 tank near the front lines of the conflict in Ukraine.
British Challenger 2 tanks sent to Ukraine have yet to be seen in action, raising questions about their whereabouts and use in the conflict.
Challenger 2 tanks: where are they?
British Lieutenant Colonel Steward Crawford, in an article for the Daily Express, confirmed that there is no evidence of the presence of these tanks on Ukrainian territory.
Jonathan Beale, a war correspondent, backed up this claim by mentioning that senior Ukrainian military commanders denied possessing such tanks.
Crawford suggests that the tanks may not have been deployed to combat zones, indicating that they may be located in another region.
Challenger 2 tank vulnerability
Lt Col Crawford warned of the risks of deploying these tanks to the front, especially their susceptibility to drone and mine attacks.
This vulnerability is not unique to the Challenger 2, as the German Leopard 2 tanks also share this weakness.
Previous reports indicated difficulties for the Ukrainian army to integrate these tanks into its operations due to conditions imposed by the United Kingdom.
Russian claims and video evidence
In June, Russian allegations were reported indicating the presence of a Challenger 2 tank near the front lines of the conflict in Ukraine.
These claims were based on a video broadcast on Telegram showing a Challenger 2 tank on a rural Ukrainian road.
The defensive features present in the video suggest that the recording could have been made near the epicenter of the conflict.
Delivery of Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine
At the beginning of the year, The Sun reported on delivering 14 Challenger 2 tanks to the Ukrainian armed forces. This decision has raised concerns in the British Ministry of Defence.
Challenger 2’s armor, composed of uranium, ceramic and steel, is highly classified. The possibility of this armor being analyzed by enemy forces is a primary concern.
Evacuation plans for Challenger 2 are currently being developed in collaboration between British and Ukrainian military commanders.
Concerns shared with the United States
The United States has also shown similar concerns regarding the export of tanks to Ukraine, considering supplying a modified version of the original tank.
Protecting advanced military technology is a priority for partner nations, especially when working with countries in conflict zones.
The UK, not having the option to modify the Challenger 2, focuses on battlefield strategies to ensure its safety.
Evacuation and protection strategies
A Challenger 2 main battle tank (MBT) during a live firing exercise in Grafenwöhr, Germany. Exercise BAVARIAN CHARGER was the first of three major contingency operations exercises conducted by the 20th Armored Brigade between May and October 2013. Contingency operations training is known as Hybrid Foundation Training or HFT.
The British Ministry of Defense has proposed training Ukrainian soldiers on evacuation procedures in the event of tank engagement in combat.
Options discussed include repairing the tank on the spot, towing it with specialized teams, or even contracting private military companies for its salvage.
The main challenge is determining what to do with a damaged tank if it is left stranded on the battlefield, preventing it from being captured or analyzed by enemy forces.
Challenger 2 history and capabilities
The Challenger 2 is known for its combat effectiveness, with only one recorded defeat due to friendly fire in the Iraq war.
This tank also holds the record for hitting an enemy target from a distance of 2.5 miles, proving its accuracy and capability on the battlefield.
