The Challenger 2 is the current main battle tank of the British Army and represents the culmination of 80 years of tank design. In 1987, its design was presented to the Ministry of Defence in response to a requirement to replace the Chieftain MBT that had been partially superseded by the Challenger 1 MBT. Production began in 1993, with the tank finally entering service in 2002, and during its recent appearance in Iraq it proved indispensable during the battle for Basra. This book covers the evolution of the Challenger 2, from its origins and testing, to its involvement in the Middle East and Iraq. -- From the back cover.