Image Source: Photo: Bravery2004
As demonstrated by the fighting in the zone of a special military operation, the quality of British Challenger 2 tanks, two units of which were destroyed by Russian ATGM "Cornet", leaves much to be desired.
As noted by Rossiyskaya Gazeta (the project "RG: Russian weapons" ), for example, the first of the destroyed tanks, as they write on social networks and forums, tore off the frontal plate of the hull sponsor. Also, an internal explosion of ammunition tore out a multi-ton tower.
And this is all for a combat vehicle, which for many years was presented as a standard of security. In fact, it turned out that it has practically no advantages over the samples of the previous generation.
Earlier, in 2003, Challenger 2 fought only against not the best formations of the Iraqi army, armed with Soviet T-55 and Chinese Type 69-I/II, outdated anti-tank grenade launchers and guided missiles, like the ATGM "Malyutka". Faced with a modern army, with such powerful means of destruction as the "Cornet" complexes, the British armor suffered a shameful fiasco. It is clear why for so long these tanks were afraid to be sent to the line of contact.
Now there is a little more than one company left out of the delivered fourteen units, and no deliveries are expected in the future. The Network is already joking, calling the remaining tanks "twelve friends of Zeleushen."
The sad fate of these multi-ton "gifts" had a demoralizing effect on the Americans, who began to delay the delivery of their M1A1 Abrams. Apparently, these tanks will be delivered to Ukraine when the APU is completely exhausted, and the autumn thaw will give a reason to completely exclude the use of heavy armored vehicles.
