Editing Challenger 1 (section)

== Versions and variants ==
*'''Challenger 1 Mk. 1''' : initial production version, the majority were produced with empty TOGS barbettes for the conversion programme to retrofit the system. 109 tanks built between February 1983 and January 1985.
*'''Challenger 1 Mk. 2''' : fitted with the [[Barr and Stroud|Barr & Stroud]]/[[Thales Optronics|Pilkington Optronics]] TOGS (Thermal Observation and Gunnery System) [[Thermal weapon sight|thermal sight]]. 155 tanks built between January 1985 and November 1986.
*'''Challenger 1 Mk. 2 ACB''' : Challenger Mk. 2 whose glass-reinforced plastic "wet" charge bins have been replaced by steel Armoured Charge Bins (ACB) as part of the [[Operation Granby]]. 
*'''Challenger 1 Mk. 3''' : equipped with armoured charge bins and a number of hull modifications. 156 tanks built between December 1986 and June 1990.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Taylor |first1=Dick |title=Challenger 1 Main Battle Tank 1983-2001 (FV 4030/4 Model) Owners' Workshop Manual |date=November 2015 |publisher=Haynes Publishing |isbn=978-0857338150 |pages=110}}</ref>
*'''CTT''' : Challenger Training Tank (CTT), 17 purpose-built driver training tanks. The CTT was based on the Challenger 1 Mk. 3 chassis. The turret was replaced by an observation and control cabin made of cast steel.

=== Challenger Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicle (CRARRV) ===
{{main|Challenger Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicle}}
[[File:Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR)Equipment Demonstration MOD 45149026.jpg|thumb|A CRARRV on exercise on [[Salisbury Plain]] in 2008.]]
In 1985, the UK MoD ordered a derivative [[armoured recovery vehicle]] from [[Vickers plc|Vickers Defence]] on the Challenger 1 hull. Eighty vehicles were delivered to the British between 1988 and 1993, with four more later delivered to Oman.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Morrison |first1=Bob |title=REME CRARRV ON IRON CHALLENGE 2022 |url=https://www.joint-forces.com/features/53197-reme-crarrv-on-iron-challenge-2022 |website=Joint-Forces.com |publisher=Joint-Forces.com |access-date=13 January 2023}}</ref>

CRARRVs have subsequently been upgraded to use the updated Challenger 2 powertrain consisting of a CV12-5C/6C engine<ref name="Challenger Tanks: Engines (Qs.1)">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2022-04-06.HL7761.h&s=speaker%3A25229#gHL7761.q0|title=Challenger Tanks: Engines (Qs.1)|website=TheyWorkForYou|publisher=UK Parliament|date=22 April 2022|access-date=24 April 2022}}</ref> with TN54E transmission.

CRARRVs were first deployed in action to support Challenger 1 tanks in the lead up to the First Gulf War, Operation Granby in 1991. They were subsequently deployed during the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]], [[Operation Telic]] in 2003.

An unspecified number of CRARRVs are to be donated to Ukraine alongside a squadron of Challenger 2 tanks in 2023.<ref name="HM Government">{{cite web |last1=Wallace |first1=Ben |title=Oral statement to Parliament by the Defence Secretary on war in Ukraine |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/defence-secretary-oral-statement-on-war-in-ukraine--2 |website=GOV.UK |publisher=HM Government |access-date=25 January 2023 |date=16 January 2023}}</ref>