Key Points – France’s Leclerc and the UK’s Challenger 2 are among NATO‘s premier main battle tanks, each possessing distinct advantages.
-The Leclerc, introduced in 1992, excels in mobility with its powerful 1500hp engine and lighter ~56-ton weight, and in firepower, featuring a 120mm smoothbore gun with an autoloader for a high rate of fire using NATO standard ammunition.
Leclerc Tank Artist Rendering.
-Conversely, the heavier ~62.5-ton Challenger 2 (1998), while slower with a 1200hp engine and manually loaded rifled gun (using non-standard ammunition), is renowned for its superior crew protection due to its formidable Dorchester armor and has a more extensive combat record.
What Tank Is Best? Leclerc and Challenger 2 Battle
France’s Leclerc Main Battle Tank and the UK’s Challenger 2 are considered by many to be NATOs top tanks. Both tanks excel in terms of firepower, protection and mobility making them the finest MBTs currently fielded by France and Britton.
But which tank is better? While the Leclerc offers excellent firepower and mobility, the Challenger 2 boasts formidable protection and has an excellent combat record to match. We decided to hold a mini-faceoff to see which tank is best.
Leclerc vs the Challenger 2
The Leclerc, developed by France and introduced in 1992, is a highly modern and agile tank. It is manufactured by Nexter Systems and operates with a crew of three, thanks to its autoloader system. Weighing around 56 tons, it is powered by a 1,500 horsepower V8X-1500 Hyperbar diesel engine, giving it a top speed of 72 kilometers per hour and an operational range of approximately 550 kilometers.
In contrast, the Challenger 2, introduced in 1998 and built by Vickers Defence Systems (now part of BAE Systems), is a heavier tank at about 62.5 tons. It uses a 1,200 horsepower Perkins CV12-6A V12 diesel engine, achieving a top speed of 59 kilometers per hour and a range of around 450 kilometers. It requires a crew of four, including a loader, due to its manually loaded main gun.
Firepower
In terms of firepower, the Leclerc is equipped with a GIAT CN120-26/52 120mm smoothbore gun that uses NATO-standard ammunition. Not only does this gun allow interoperability with NATO allies, but it can fire wide ranges of ammunition from HEAT to APFSDS rounds. Its autoloader allows it to fire 10 to 12 rounds per minute, significantly faster than the Challenger 2’s 6 to 8 rounds per minute.
The Challenger 2 on the other hand, uses a L30A1 120mm rifled gun. While this rifled gun offers excellent long-range accuracy, it is also the Challenger 2’s biggest weaknesses. The gun’s reliance on non-standard ammunition limits its interoperability with allied forces. In addition, riffled barrels require much more maintenance than smoothbore guns and experience more wear from constant use. The Leclerc’s faster rate of fire and ammunition compatibility give it a clear edge in firepower.
A Challenger 2 main battle tank (MBT) is pictured during a live firing exercise in Grafenwöhr, Germany. Exercise BAVARIAN CHARGER was the first of three large contingency operation exercises being undertaken by 20th Armoured Brigade between May – October 2013. Contingency Operations training is known as Hybrid Foundation Training or HFT.
Crew Protection
When it comes to protection, the Challenger 2 is widely regarded as one of the most heavily armored tanks in the world. It uses Dorchester Level 2 armor, a derivative of the famous Chobham composite armor, and has proven its resilience in combat, particularly in Iraq, where it withstood multiple RPG and IED attacks without any losses to enemy fire.
The Leclerc, while also well-protected with modular composite armor that includes titanium and reactive elements, emphasizes mobility and firepower over sheer armor thickness. It features the Galix self-defense system, which includes smoke and infrared decoys, but its passive protection is generally considered less robust than that of the Challenger 2. Thus, in terms of sheer survivability and armor protection, the Challenger 2 has the advantage.
Mobility
Mobility is another area where the Leclerc excels. With a power-to-weight ratio of approximately 27 horsepower per ton, it is significantly more agile than the Challenger 2, which has a ratio of about 19 horsepower per ton.
The Leclerc’s hydropneumatic suspension and lighter weight contribute to its superior acceleration and maneuverability, making it better suited for rapid deployment and maneuver warfare. Its greater operational range and better fuel efficiency also enhance its logistical flexibility. The Challenger 2, while durable and reliable, is slower and less fuel-efficient, making it less ideal for fast-paced operations.
Technology and Combat Record
In terms of technology and electronics, the Leclerc was ahead of its time when it was introduced. It features an advanced digital fire control system with hunter-killer capabilities, thermal imaging, laser rangefinding, and panoramic sights.
It is also integrated into a modern battlefield management system, allowing for superior situational awareness and coordination. The Challenger 2, while equipped with digital fire control and thermal imaging, lacks the continual upgrades the Leclerc received and only recently began receiving upgrades to bring its systems up to modern standards. Therefore, the Leclerc holds a technological edge in terms of electronics and battlefield networking.
Unlike the Leclerc, the Challenger 2 has seen active combat. It has seen extensive combat use in Iraq and the Balkans which gave it a reputation for it mechanical durability and battlefield resilience.
The Leclerc, on the other hand, has had limited combat exposure, with some deployments by the UAE in Yemen and French peacekeeping missions. Early models of the Leclerc experienced reliability issues, though these have been largely resolved in modern variants. Still, the Challenger 2’s proven track record in high-intensity conflict gives it a reliability advantage.
Which Tank is Better?
So which tank wins? The Leclerc and Challenger 2 each have distinct strengths. The Leclerc excels in mobility, firepower, and digital integration, making it ideal for rapid, high-intensity operations.
The Challenger 2, on the other hand, offers unmatched protection and battlefield durability, making it a formidable platform in defensive roles and prolonged engagements. Both tanks are exceptional, and the winner in a given fight depends heavily on context.
For expeditionary forces and fast-moving campaigns, the Leclerc is likely the better choice. For entrenched positions and high-survivability scenarios, the Challenger 2 remains a powerful and reliable asset.
About the Author:
Isaac Seitz, a 19FortyFive Defense Columnist, graduated from Patrick Henry College’s Strategic Intelligence and National Security program. He has also studied Russian at Middlebury Language Schools and has worked as an intelligence Analyst in the private sector.
