This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6583607.stm
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Iraq bomb penetrates British tank | Iraq bomb penetrates British tank |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| A Challenger 2 tank has been penetrated by a roadside bomb in Iraq leaving the driver with serious injuries, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. | A Challenger 2 tank has been penetrated by a roadside bomb in Iraq leaving the driver with serious injuries, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. |
| A spokesman said the tank had been on routine duties in a western district of Basra when it was hit on 6 April. | A spokesman said the tank had been on routine duties in a western district of Basra when it was hit on 6 April. |
| It is believed to be the first incident where a Challenger tank has been breached by such an attack. | It is believed to be the first incident where a Challenger tank has been breached by such an attack. |
| The driver of the Challenger has now been sent back to the UK for further medical treatment. | The driver of the Challenger has now been sent back to the UK for further medical treatment. |
| An MoD spokesman said the Challenger tank was "well armoured but in an operational theatre it's not the case that you can have absolute protection". | |
| The Challenger 2 is the UK's main battle tank, and its key function is to destroy enemy tanks. | The Challenger 2 is the UK's main battle tank, and its key function is to destroy enemy tanks. |
| It has a good reputation for reliability, although it has experienced significant problems during military exercises in desert conditions. | It has a good reputation for reliability, although it has experienced significant problems during military exercises in desert conditions. |
| The UK has almost 400 Challenger 2s, some of which have been used in Bosnia and Kosovo and have a four man crew. | The UK has almost 400 Challenger 2s, some of which have been used in Bosnia and Kosovo and have a four man crew. |
| In addition to its Advanced Armour Technology the Challenger 2 also has a nuclear, chemical and biological attack resistant compartment for the crew. | In addition to its Advanced Armour Technology the Challenger 2 also has a nuclear, chemical and biological attack resistant compartment for the crew. |
| Professor Michael Clarke from King's College's Defence Studies centre said the Challenger 2 tank's armour is usually "inviolable". | Professor Michael Clarke from King's College's Defence Studies centre said the Challenger 2 tank's armour is usually "inviolable". |
| He said: "Most of the things on a battlefield are not much of a threat to a tank, usually. | He said: "Most of the things on a battlefield are not much of a threat to a tank, usually. |
| "This is worrying, because if there are many of these sorts of very heavy penetrative Improvised Explosive Devices around in the area then no vehicle is safe." | "This is worrying, because if there are many of these sorts of very heavy penetrative Improvised Explosive Devices around in the area then no vehicle is safe." |