British tanks

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At the first ,I’d like to talk `bout tankette :it is a tracked armoured fighting
vehicle that resembles a small tank, roughly the size of a car. It is mainly intended
for light infantry support and scouting. Colloquially it may also simply mean a
small tank.
The Carden-Loyd Mark VI tankette was probably one of the most influential
designs of the interwar. It was largely copied abroad, built under licence and
adopted by 16 armies throughout the world. Its direct legacy included the French
UE, Polish TK, Japanese Te-Ke, Italian CV, Russian T-27, Czech Tançik vz.33, and
even the Panzer I. The main reason of its success was a mixture of affordable cost,
easy production, maintenance, transport, speed and versatility. It was overall clearly
reaffirming the concept of quantity over quality.
Carden-Loyd tankettes in action
Their earliest combat trial consisted of a few engagements during the Chaco
war between Bolivia and Paraguay (1932-35). Most tankettes, alongside a
few Vickers Mark Es, were sent to overwhelm the defenses of Fortin
Nanawa, duly reinforced by the Paraguayans, an episode called the "Verdun
of South America" (July 1933). This ended as a defeat for the Bolivian army
and its commander, former WW1 veteran officer Hans Kundt.
The second engagement came with British forces in May-June 1940,
opposing the German forces. Alongside the more famous "Bren-carrier",
around 200 tankettes took part in the defense of the Dyle-Namur line (in
Belgium).
Some Mark VIs fielded by Dutch units also saw action. Nearly all were left behind at Dunkirk. The remainder, former training vehicles and auxiliaries were
mobilized to face the awaited German invasion of the British mainland in July-August.
Later on, at the end of 1940 and in January 1941, the Franco-Thai war saw most of the available Thai Mark VI tankettes engaged against the French Forces.
Many were destroyed by artillery or gun-armed FT tanks. Later, during the Balkan campaign (March-April 1941), Yugoslav and Greek Mark VIs were also
committed in action, hopelessly. Many foreign-built tankettes saw action during the war: The Soviet-built T-27, the Italian CV 33, 35 and 38, the Japanese TeKe, Renault UEs (under German colors) and most famously 100,000+ Universal Carriers throughout the British Empire

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Development of a new British tank began in the late 1950s. First
prototypes were completed in 1959. The Chieftain entered British service
in 1965. It replaced in service the previous Centurion and Conqueror
tanks. Production continued until 1978. A total of 870 Chieftains were
delivered to the British Army.
The Chieftain was exceptional tank for a number of reasons. It had
impressive firepower and protection. When introduced it was the most
powerful main battle tank in the world. It outperformed contemporary
tanks, such as the US M60 Patton, German Leopard 1 and the Soviet T62. It held this title for around 15 years when the Germans adopted
their Leopard 2. This tanks was specifically designed to have a multi-fuel
engine
The Chieftain was armed with a fully-stabilized L11 series 120 mm/L55
rifled gun. It was an evolved version of the L11 gun, that was developed
for Conqueror heavy tank. At the time most other tanks were using
smoothbore guns. The gun was fitted with a thermal sleeve. The gun is
loaded manually. Maximum rate of fire of up to 8 rounds per minute
could be achieved.
Main characteristics:
Weight-55tons
Linear dimensions-10,8(gun forward)*3,66*2,9m
Caliber(main gun)- 120mm
Machine guns-1*12,7mm&2*7,62mm
Crew-4(commander/gunner/loader/driver)
Fire rate- up to 8 rounds/min
This tank has a welded steel hull and a well-sloped cast turret. The Chieftain had a number of unusual
design features, that allowed to improve armor protection without increasing weight. For example the
driver had adjustable seat and was driving while lying. This allowed to reduce height of the forward
hull.
It was the main British main battle tank until the introduction of Challenger in 1983. It was in
operational service until 1996

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In the late 80s the Chieftain main battle tank was considered outdated. Its main
drawbacks were poor mobility and insufficient armor protection. At the time
Soviets were introducing improved tank types at a rapid pace and armor of
Chieftain was vulnerable to modern Soviet anti-tank guns. The Challenger
originated from Iranian order for improved model of Chieftain - the Shir 2 (Lion 2).
It was the first British tank with a composite armor. The order was later cancelled
due to Iranian revolution. However the project was taken over by the British MoD,
design was further reworked and the tank became known as the Challenger.
Interestingly a 1986 British report stated that newest Challenger's anti-tank rounds
stood a good chance of defeating Soviet T-64, but could not defeat the latest T-80.
Still though the Challenger gun claims the longest-distance tank kill in history.
During Gulf War it defeated an Iraqi tank at a range of 4 km. During the operation
Desert Storm the Challenger 1 tank engaged enemy target at a range of 5 100 m.
Main characteristics:
Weight-62 tons
Linear dimensions:
11,55(gun forward/hull length 8,33)*3,5*2,5m
Caliber : main gun- 120 mm/machine gun- 2*7,62
Fire rate-up to 8 rounds/min
Crew -4 men
Protection of the Challenger 1 was much improved comparing with the previous
Chieftain. It has a welded hull with Chobham composite armor, which is a
combination of steel and ceramics. This armor provides a much higher level of
protection, comparing to any monolithic steel armor. The Chobham armor was later
adopted by American M1 Abrams. An add-on explosive reactive armor can be
fitted.
Production ceased in 1989. A total of 420 of these main battle tanks were built. In
the 1990s, with the introduction of improved Challenger 2, the original Challenger
was redesignated as the Challenger 1. The Challenger 1 was phased out of British
Army service in 2000. Most of these main battle tanks were sold to Jordan where it
is locally known as the Al Hussein

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The Challenger 2 main battle tank was developed as a private venture to replace the previous Chieftain MBT in service with British Army. It is a further
development of the Challenger MBT. The new main battle tank is significantly more capable than its predecessor. It entered service with the British Army in
1994. Currently the Challenger 2 is in service with United Kingdom (386) and Oman (38). Recently a couple of proposed modernization programs for the
Challenger 2 tanks were proposed. However due to budget cuts British Army could completely retire its Challenger 2 fleet in the near future. It is one of the
most protected tanks in the world. This main battle tank provides a very high level of protection against direct fire weapons. The Challenger 2 uses
Chobham composite armor of second generation. It is lighter than the original Chobham, but offers better protection. Tank's turret was redesigned. Explosive
reactive armor kit can be fitted for improved protection.
Challenger 2 is fitted with a new fire control system. Some of its components are similar to the US M1A1 Abrams and French Leclerc MBTs. Its fire control
system has a high hit probability against stationary and moving targets. This main battle tank has a battle management system similar to that, used on the
M1A1 Abrams. Furthermore British tanks can interchange information with US tanks.
Despite an increase in weight the Challenger 2 has similar
cross-country performance to the previous vehicle.
Additional fuel tanks can be mounted at the rear of the
hull for extended operational range. It can also be fitted
with a dozer blade. It is worth mentioning that all
Challenger 1 MBTs can be upgraded to the Challenger 2
standard.
Main characteristics:
Weight-62,5 tons
Linear dimensions:
11,55(gun forward/hull- 8,33)*3,52*2,49 m
Caliber: main gun-120 mm/ machine guns- 2*7,62 mm
Crew- 4 men

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At the end of our “journey” threw the
tank history o` Great Britain ,I`d like to
thank you for wasting your time while
watching this presentation.
Good luck!