The Trophy Active Protection System (APS) will be tested and integrated with Challenger 3 to provide enhanced protection against rocket and missile threats (Photo: MoD/Crown Copyright)

The UK’s Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) has awarded a £20-million contract for the next phase of tests on the Trophy Active Protection System for the British Army’s Challenger 3 tanks.

The Trophy Active Protection System (APS) will be tested and integrated with Challenger 3 to provide enhanced protection against rocket and missile threats, while simultaneously finding the origin of the hostile fire for immediate response.

According to DE&S, the Trophy system, which has been used on Israeli Defence Force  operations in Gaza, can locate an incoming rocket or missile in less than a second, destroying it by firing back its own ammunition. The system, which is being supplied by industry partner Rafael, has completed three weeks of assessment phase trials on the Challenger 3 representative system with a total 25 shots, including live intercept shots.

The contract will secure several Trophy systems and countermeasures and test equipment required for the qualification and integration activity planned for the upcoming demonstration phase. The Challenger 3 (CR3) is being manufactured by Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) and is expected to enter service in 2027.

 “This contract will be a key step towards ensuring our Challenger 3 tanks are equipped with the most advanced protection systems available,” said Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge said:  Their ability to identify incoming hostile fire and neutralise it in less than a second demonstrates the UK’s ability to consistently acquire the most advance battlefield equipment.

DE&S says early procurement of these long-lead items will allow the Demonstration Phase to start in 2024.  “Assessment Phase Trials of the APS have been completed, and we now have the confidence to move forward to the next phase,” said David Tomlin, Active Protection System lead for the Land Equipment Operating Centre at DE&S. “Placing this contract will allow the Demonstration Phase to start in 2024 where the APS system will be qualified and integrated onto the CR3 tank.

 The Demonstration Phase will be delivered by Rafael Defence Systems and RBSL as the Design Authority for the Challenger 3 tanks. The testing will be delivered at Rafael’s facility in Israel, and in UK test ranges.