Media: British Army lacks trained Challenger 2 tank commanders

The UK authorities have canceled major military exercises, including those involving Challenger 2 tanks, to save money.

The British Army does not have enough commanders to operate Challenger 2 tanks after a critical exercise was cancelled.

About 50 of the British Army's 150 operational Challenger 2 tanks do not have a fully trained commander assigned to them.

MOSCOW, October 10 - RIA Novosti. The British Army is short of commanders to control Challenger 2 tanks after authorities canceled exercises to save money, the Telegraph reports, citing an army source.

In early September, the Times newspaper, citing sources, wrote that the British Ministry of Defense ordered the suspension of all major military exercises to save money. In particular, exercises involving Challenger 2 tanks and Apache helicopters were suspended, and the Royal Tank Regiment was given days notice before the start of a large-scale six-week exercise in Wales.

"The British Army does not have enough commanders to operate its main battle tanks after a critical exercise was canceled to save money... Soldiers were unable to complete the exercise, leaving the Army without competent commanders for its Challenger 2 tanks," the Telegraph said.

According to the publication, the British Army has about 150 working tanks of this type at its disposal, but approximately 50 of them do not have a commander assigned to them who has completed all stages of training.