If it pleases the Crown, I recommend that reading that report should be done like a shot of Tequila, with a squeeze of lime and large helping of salt.
IMHO Whitehall should tell any among them who helped advocate or write that article to “Bugger off”.
I quote Penny Mordaunt the Conservative Defense Secretary of the UK, the same individual whom is quoted as calling Challenger and Warrior as “Obsolete”.
Source:
Will the stars finally align to upgrade Britain’s ‘obsolete’ tanks?
The MOD of the UK like many other developed nations do need a “Royal Cyber Command” and a “Royal Space Corps“ make no mistake.
However those are support arms. To keep the lines of communication clear, to maintain surveillance on adversaries and ensure the security of the critical architecture of modern warfare. The kinetic capacity doesn’t yet exist beyond theoretical to be relevant enough to mean that Tanks and conventional forces are to be sold for scrap in exchange for keyboards and Satellite dishes. Even if they did. You would still be need to have some form of Boots on the ground. Unless you intend to try and hold control via “glassing” from orbit.
The modernization of Challanger 2 and Warrior is long over due but the MOD is known to have launched programs for such, the Tank demonstrator with the 130mm gun above, prototypes for improved power packs, upgraded sensors and Active protection systems.
The Warriors 40mm CT gun program with its own sensor and power pack upgrades.
Additionally there is the Ajax vehicle series. The Ajax isn’t to support the Boxer based “Strike Brigades” It’s as a armored reconnaissance vehicle for armored forces, It’s to serve with Warrior and Challanger 2s Tanks.
In light of the USMC’s Tank phase out it’s not impossible for such to happen. However it seems far less likely for a whole nation to abandon such vs a independent service.
