The British military is putting down emergency plans to recover Challenger 2 main battle tanks if they are damaged in Ukraine in order to prevent them from falling into the hands of Russian troops, the Sun reported on January 27.
Earlier this month, the United Kingdom government announced a breakthrough decision to supply 14 Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine. The tank is protected by a classified armour, dubbed “Chobham,” which is said to be made from a blend of ceramics, steel and shock-absorbing compounds.
According to the Sun, British officers are now working with Ukraine’s high command to ensure that Challenger 2 tanks can be dragged back to safety if one is knocked out of action.
A defense official said: “If a tank is destroyed or disabled the first option is always to try and self-recover. You tow it with another tank or use a specialist armoured repair and recovery vehicle — which looks like a tank with a crane.”
“But the worst-case scenario is that a tank is destroyed when the lines are collapsing and friendly forces are in retreat,” the unnamed official added.
“Step one is the training and working with mission planners to try and ensure the Challengers are not used in scenarios where they think that collapse a realistic possibility … Step two is making sure, at the tactical level, the Ukrainians are trained to recover a tank under fire. They certainly don’t lack the courage.”
One of the plans the British military is currently considering is having private military contractors on standby to recover stricken tanks. This would be a direct involvement in the conflict in Ukraine. [These Brits would also likely be helping to drive and repair the tanks.]
The UK has providing support to Kiev forces since the start of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine nearly a year ago.
The Sun’s report came following talks of a U.S. plan to strip M1A2 Abrams main battle tanks intended to Ukraine from classified depleted uranium armour. The 31 tanks Washington promised to supply will reportedly be equipped with what is called FMS [foreign military sales] armor packages.
The measures the U.S. and the UK are taking to protect the secrets of their tank reflect their very little faith in Kiev forces. Both powers apparently understand that the few dozen tanks they are preparing to supply won’t make a difference on the battlefield. These tanks are only meant to prolong the conflict and drain the Russian military.
British Public chanting "SHAME ON YOU" to the BBC at a demonstration outside BBC Broadcasting House in London. Hated in their own country & spreading *FAKE PROPAGANDA* in other countries, especially India.https://t.co/iPtl3HTMGR pic.twitter.com/Krc78vUWun
— 🇮🇳Manishika (@Staunch_NaMo) January 28, 2023
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