Editing Challenger 2 (section)

===Challenger 1===
The Challenger 2 is the third vehicle of this name, the first being the [[Cruiser Mk VIII Challenger|A30 Challenger]], a [[World War II]] design using the [[Cromwell tank]] chassis with a [[Ordnance QF 17 pounder|17-pounder]] gun. The second was the Persian [[Gulf War]] era [[Challenger 1]], which was the British army's main battle tank (MBT) from the early 1980s to the mid-1990s.{{cn|date=August 2024}}

While the British [[Chieftain (tank)|Chieftain]] was heavily armed and armoured, its engine and suspension were considerably subpar compared to its contemporaries, leading to poor cross-country performance and a lack of maneuverability.{{cn|date=August 2024}}

Some work on further development of the Chieftain had been ongoing since 1968 at the [[Military Vehicles and Engineering Establishment]] (MVEE), and several experimental vehicles produced, including one with the recently developed [[Chobham armour]]. In September 1978, it was announced that these concepts would be brought together in a new design, [[MBT-80]]. Deliveries of the MBT-80 were not expected until the mid-1980s at a minimum. Advances in Soviet armor, especially the apparent upcoming introduction of the [[T-80]], suggested that the UK's tanks would be at a significant disadvantage before the MBT-80 would arrive. After considerable debate, MBT-80 was cancelled.{{cn|date=August 2024}}{{why|date=August 2024}} Instead, in 1978, the British Army ordered the Challenger 1, based on the [[Shir 2]]. The final Challenger 1 was delivered to the British Army in 1990.{{sfn|Foss|2011|p=165}}