The British Army is increasing its presence on NATO’s eastern flank. Last week, the UK sent Challenger 2 main battle tanks to Poland amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

According to the Polish armed forces, 14 Challenger 2 tanks arrived in Poland on the 8th of July. 

https://twitter.com/3rdUKDivision/status/1547139919759515650?s=20&t=ibNR0qdV0gJJCP8BvVKjPw

The British tanks are to be integrated into the Polish 21st Podhale Rifles Brigade, 18th Mechanised Division for six months as part of Britain’s increasing military presence in the region since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine provoked by Moscow. 

According to Defence Blog, Challenger 2 is “heavily armoured and highly mobile, designed for use in the direct fire zone” and its primary role is “to destroy or neutralise armour.” 

The portal specialising in military matters notes that the freshly arrived tanks can “engage both hard and soft targets” and can “operate across a spectrum of high-intensity conflict, counter-insurgency and peacekeeping roles.”

Images: 18 Dywizja Zmechanizowana

Author: Sébastien Meuwissen