Challenger 2

Origin: (Real World)
Great Britain

Featured In
Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation

Operators
Emmerian Army Estovakian Army

Overview
The Challenger II is a main battle tank built by the British company Alvis Vickers (now part of BAE Systems Land and Armaments). Challenger II is the third vehicle to carry the title. This tank is developed from the original Challenger 1. The Challenger was the British army's MBT from the early 1980s to the mid 1990s. Although Challenger II was developed from Challenger 1, the new vehicle is a complete redesign—fewer than 5% of components are interchangeable. The Challenger II has now replaced the Challenger 1 in service with the British Army and is also used by the Royal Army of Oman. The tank uses a classified Chobham armor.

The UK placed orders for 127 Challenger II tanks in 1991 and an additional 259 in 1994. Oman ordered 18 of the tanks in 1993 and a further 20 in November 1997. Challenger II entered service with the British Army in 1998, with the last delivered in 2002. It is expected to remain in service until 2035. Deliveries for Oman were completed in 2001.

Challenger II has seen operational service in Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq (2003–present).