The Ministry of Defence has addressed questions about the future of the Challenger 3 programme, providing assurances about its progress even as the Strategic Defence Review proceeds.
Danny Kruger, MP for East Wiltshire, questioned the Ministry on two fronts: the potential impact of the review on the programme and discussions with the Army Board regarding the tanks.
In response to the first question on how the review might affect the programme, Luke Pollard, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Defence, confirmed that the “Challenger 3 programme is an important programme and is on schedule to achieve Initial Operating Capability in 2027 and Full Operating Capability in 2030.”
He further noted that the Strategic Defence Review will guide future capability priorities, ensuring that the UK’s defence posture remains robust.
He stated, “The Strategic Defence Review will guide future capability development priorities, to ensure the United Kingdom is both secure at home and strong abroad—now and for the years to come. The Reviewers will report regularly on progress to the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Secretary of State for Defence and will make their final report to the Prime Minister, the Chancellor and the Defence Secretary—with recommendations—in the first half of 2025.”
Addressing Kruger’s second question about discussions with the Army Board, Pollard detailed that, “During his visit to Army HQ on 19 September, the Secretary of State for Defence met members of the Army Board and discussed a range of issues including the Army’s Equipment Plan supporting the Army’s modernisation.”
He reiterated that “The Challenger 3 programme remains an important programme and remains on schedule to achieve Initial Operating Capability in 2027 and Full Operating Capability in 2030.”
Not sure it is worth reporting all these repetitive, semi evasive parliamentary answers. They rarely if ever reveal anything new.