The Challenger 2 is equipped with a 120-millimetre (4.7 in) 55- calibre long 元0A1 tank gun, the successor to the L11 gun used on the Chieftain and Challenger 1. The tank has a 550 km range and maximum road speed of 59 km/h. A visual recognition feature is the armoured housing for the TOGS thermal gunsight: the Challenger 2 has this above the gun barrel, the Challenger 1 has it at the right hand side of the turret. Although the hull and automotive components seem similar, they are of a newer design than for the Challenger 1 and only around 3% of components are interchangeable. The Challenger 2 is an extensive redesign of the Challenger 1. The Royal Army of Oman ordered 18 Challenger 2s in 1993 and a further 20 tanks in November 1997. It is expected to remain in service until 2035. The tank entered service with the British Army in 1998, with the last delivered in 2002. Production began in 1993 and the unit's tanks were delivered in July 1994, replacing the Challenger 1. In June 1991, the Ministry of Defence placed a £520 million order for 140 vehicles, with a further 268 ordered in 1994. A £90 million deal for a demonstrator vehicle was finalised in January 1989. Vickers Defence Systems began to develop a successor to Challenger 1 as a private venture in 1986. It was designed and built by the British company Vickers Defence Systems (now known as BAE Systems Land & Armaments). The FV4034 Challenger 2 (MOD designation "CR2") is a third generation British main battle tank (MBT) in service with the armies of the United Kingdom and Oman.
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