Britain-Ukraine tank deal

The British Ministry of Defence plans to send surplus Challenger 2 main battle tanks (MBT) to Poland. The deal would then see Poland supply Ukraine with its Soviet-era T-72 tanks


Challenger 2 

Crew: 4. Commander, loader, gunner, driver

Road speed: 56km/h, cross country, 40km/h

400-litre fuel drums

Engine: Perkins CV12, 12-cylinder, 26.1 litre turbocharged diesel

Turret: Shape minimises radar signature

Gunner’s sight: Co-axial 7.62mm chain gun can fire 10 rounds/sec

7.62mm machine gun

Gun system: 120mm rifled, chrome-lined barrel. Can elevate 20 degrees or depress 10 degrees

UK has 79 surplus Challenger MBTs


T-72 MBT

Crew: 3. Commander, gunner, driver

Road speed: 60km/h, cross country, 35km/h

12.7mm DShK machine gun

Engine: V12, 12-cylinder. Multi-fuel – can use diesel, petrol or aviation fuel

Gun system: 125mm smooth-bore with co-axial 7.62mm machine gun. Can elevate 14 degrees or depress 6 degrees

Explosive reactive armour

Poland has 257 surplus T-72s


Sources: Jane’s, IISS Military Balance, Ukraine News 
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