Today’s Picture shows a Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank charging down the road, propelled by 1,200 horses from the V12. Unfortunately, the picture doesn’t come with any sound effects.

The picture was taken during the Land Combat Power Visit rehearsal at Copehill Down Village, Salisbury Plain (U.K.), in preparation for a visit from the Secretary of State for Defense.

The Kings Royal Hussars Battlegroup and the Royal Welsh demonstrated the combat power of their units.

The Challenger 2 (CR2) is the British Army’s main battle tank, of the third generation. It is based on the original Challenger 1 tank. The Challenger has served in operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Iraq.

Only about 5% of the CR2 components are interchangeable with its predecessor, which has more than 150 major modifications.

Examples of the modifications is a brand new turret, with second generation Chobham armor and the L30A1 CHARM 120 mm (4.7 in) tank gun  The barrel of the L30A1 is unique within NATO as it is rifled.

Other firearms onboard consist of the coaxial 7.62 mm L94A1 (Hughes EX-34 7.62 mm chain gun), and a 7.62 mm L37A2 Operator/Loader’s hatch machine gun (FN MAG). The tank carries about 4,200 rounds of 7,62 mm, which should last for a while.

The engine is a 26,1 liter Perkins diesel, CV12-6A V12, developing 1,200 bhp, and probably more torque than we can count.

The design and manufacturing were done by Vickers Defence Systems, which is now BAE Systems Land & Armaments.

Apart from the United Kingdom, Oman is the only country using the Challenger.

Picture courtesy of UK Ministry of Defence 2019.

TFB can also recommend this great picture of the French Leclerc Mk2 Main Battle Tank (it managed to get 164 comments!) and the knives forged from the barrels of the German Leopard Main Battle Tank.