THE Military is thrashing out emergency plans to recuperate British tanks if they’re broken in Ukraine — to cease their high secret armour and expertise falling into Russian palms.
The fearsome Challenger 2s are protected by world-beating Chobham armour created from a secret mix of ceramics, metal and shock-absorbing compounds.
The fearsome Challenger 2s are protected by world-beating Chobham armour[/caption]
The Challenger 2 holds the file the longest confirmed kill of an enemy tank at 2.5miles in Iraq[/caption]
Ben Wallace pledged to rethink plans to chop the fleet on account of the battle in Ukraine[/caption]
Britain led the world by pledging 14 Challenger 2s to Ukraine — however defence sources say it might be a nightmare if one was captured by Vladimir Putin’s invaders.
His navy scientists would then be free to review the armour and tips on how to defeat it.
A supply defined: “The British armour is the very best on the earth.
“Within the historical past of Challenger 2s just one has been destroyed in battle and that was by pleasant fireplace in Iraq.
“The Russians will probably be determined to attempt to kill and seize a Challenger 2, partly for his or her propaganda but additionally to get their palms on its secrets and techniques.”
The most recent Chobham armour – codenamed Dorchester — has by no means been breached by enemy fireplace, Military sources insisted.
High brass are working with Ukraine’s excessive command to make sure UK tanks could be dragged again to security if one is knocked out of motion.
A defence supply stated: “If a tank is destroyed or disabled the primary choice is all the time to attempt to self-recover. You tow it with one other tank or use a specialist armoured restore and restoration automobile — which appears like a tank with a crane.
“However the worst case state of affairs is {that a} tank is destroyed when the traces are collapsing and pleasant forces are in retreat.
“The first step is the coaching and dealing with mission planners to attempt and make sure the Challengers usually are not utilized in eventualities the place they assume that collapse a sensible risk.
Defence sources say it might be a nightmare if one was captured by Putin’s invaders[/caption]
“Step two is ensuring, on the tactical stage, the Ukrainians are skilled to recuperate a tank below fireplace. They actually don’t lack the braveness.”
Different excessive choices into account embrace having non-public navy contractors on standby to recuperate stricken tanks.
On paper the UK boasts 227 Challenger 2 tanks however solely about 60 are battle-ready.
About 30 are in Estonia, with 14 certain for Ukraine.
The Challenger 2 holds the file the longest confirmed kill of an enemy tank at 2.5miles in Iraq — due to its tremendous correct 120mm foremost gun.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace pledged to rethink plans to chop the fleet on account of the battle in Ukraine.
Beneath the final spherical of Ministry of Defence cuts the quantity was as a consequence of shrink to 149 upgraded Challenger 3s.
Germany has additionally pledged tanks and US President Joe Biden has provided to provide Ukraine with 31 Abrams tanks — however they’re anticipated to take a yr to reach as they’re as a consequence of be specifically made.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman stated final evening: “We conduct a rigorous evaluation of the dangers related to offering weapons for the defence of Ukraine.
“The tanks we’re offering to Ukraine will probably be drawn from the Military’s excessive readiness fleet to make sure they attain Ukrainian Armed Forces as rapidly as potential. The platforms are already being ready and will probably be prepared to maneuver within the coming months.”