Time is up for tanks

Instead, as its underpinnings remain fundamentally sound, to keep up with rivals and potential enemies it needs a new gun, sights, defences against anti-tank weapons and computer systems so it can link up with other assets on the battlefield. 

Four years ago the Ministry of Defence (MoD) began assessing offers from BAE Systems and Germany’s Rheinmetall  about how the Challenger 2 could be upgraded to keep it in service until 2035. 

However, a decision on whether to go ahead with modernising it – which sources say could cost between £250m and £500m – is not due until next year, and might not come at all.

In reality, the estimated cost of upgrades is not a huge chunk of Britain’s £40bn annual defence budget, especially when it will be spread over many years. 

To put it in context, a single F-35 Joint Strike Fighter goes for about £75m. An Apache attack helicopter – a system easily capable of taking out a dozen tanks from a distance – will set you back about £15m.

For the giant defence companies looking to land bigger and juicier military contracts, fighting to preserve a few hundred heavy tanks isn’t worth dying in a ditch for. 

Industry picking its battles becomes even more sensible when you consider the MoD faces a £15bn funding black hole over the next decade.