Introduction
The following introduction is taken from the Tankograd website:
Challenger 2 Battlegroup
The Iron Fist of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Welsh Battlegroup and other Armoured Brigade Combat Teams
Three battlegroups can be formed from units of the 12th Armoured Brigade Combat Team. Two armoured infantry units with their headquarters company, two infantry companies (equipped with the Warrior ISV infantry fighting vehicle, and from 2025 with the Boxer MIV mechanised infantry vehicle), a fire support company (with anti-tank weapons and mortars) and a tank squadron (equipped with Challenger 2 MBT main battle tanks, from 2027 with the Challenger 3) can be structured as required. An even heavier battlegroup is also conceivable, consisting of two tank squadrons and an armoured infantry company. The exact composition always depends on the mission, and it can vary depending on the availability of resources. In addition, other combat support forces such as elements of the Royal Engineers or Royal Artillery can be requested and integrated.
The current ‘Iron Fist’ of each armoured battlegroup is the Challenger 2 MBT. Around this heavy weapon system the ‘Challenger 2 Battlegroup’ is formed and shown in this publication exemplary by the 1st Battalion, The Royal Welsh Battlegroup. The entire motor pool of this formation is illustrated based on outstanding in-action exercise photographs.
In this title Tankograd looks at the Challenger Battle groups that when Governments are not busy depleting them can perform their role in the field. While tanks are formidable weapons systems, no tank unit can fight alone. It needs support units to feed the troops, to supply fuel and ammunition for the tanks and specialised vehicles to allow the overcoming of objects such as rivers, minefields and so on. Tanks also can take ground, but are not great for holding it, as they quickly become targets for airborne assets such have been seen clearly in Ukraine where drones and ground launched missiles have taken a heavy toll.
The Challenger 2 battle tank has proved itself to be a formidable tank as regards firepower, protection, speed and reliability. This particular title covers the Iron fist of the 1st battalion, the Royal Welsh battle group and other armoured brigade combat teams. 4 pages of note in the title shows you the assets of the battle group that need to work together to achieve their mission. A very well written introduction provides you with a good insight of the scope of the brigade and the men and machines are covered to a reasonable depth. When you move on the the photographic section of the title, you are presented with a broad range of vehicles and infantry and the pictures demonstrate very well the use of natural and artificial camouflage.
Any modeller looking at tackling the Challenger or its supporting vehicles should give consideration to picking up a copy of this title, as it covers a broad spectrum to a reasonable depth over its 64 pages and 140 colour photographs.