Challenger Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicle

A CRARRV on Salisbury Plain in 2008.

In 1985, the UK MoD ordered a derivative armoured recovery vehicle from Vickers Defence, based on the Challenger 1, to replace those based on the FV4204 Chieftain ARV/ARRV.

The size and performance of the CRARRV are similar to a Challenger 1 tank, but instead of armament it is fitted with:

• A main winch with 50 tonnes-force pull in a 1:1 configuration or 98 tonnes-force pull using an included pulley in a 2:1 configuration and anchor point on the vehicle, plus a small auxiliary winch to aid in deploying the main winch rope.
• Atlas crane capable of lifting 6,500 kg (14,300 lb) at a distance of 4.9 m (16 ft) (this is sufficient to lift a Challenger 2 power pack).
• Dozer blade to use as an earth anchor/stabiliser, or in obstacle clearance and fire position preparation.
• Large set of recovery and heavy repair tools including a man-portable ultrathermic cutting system with an underwater cutting capability and a man-portable welder.

In order to improve flexibility and supplement the transportation of power packs around the battlefield, the British Army procured a quantity of dedicated CRARRV High Mobility Trailers (HMT). Each HMT enables a CRARRV to transport a single (Challenger, Titan or Trojan) power pack or two Warrior power packs, by altering the configuration of dedicated fixtures and attachment of fittings.

CRARRVs have subsequently been upgraded to use the updated Challenger 2 powertrain consisting of a CV12-5C/6C engine[2] with TN54E transmission.

Each CRARRV has five seats but usually carries a crew of three soldiers from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), of the recovery mechanic and vehicle mechanic/technician trades. There is room in the cabin for two further passengers (e.g. crew members of the casualty vehicle) on a temporary basis.

CRARRVs being transported in the Omani desert on Exercise Saif Sareea 3 in 2018.

British CRARRVs were first deployed in action in the lead up to the First Gulf War, Operation Granby in 1991.

CRARRVs supported Challenger 1 and later Challenger 2 tanks as part of peacekeeping efforts in Bosnia and Kosovo.

They were subsequently deployed alongside Challenger 2 tanks during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Operation Telic in 2003.

A CRARRV replacing the powerpack of a second CRARRV in Afghanistan in 2012

British CRARRVs were also deployed as part of Operation Herrick, the British contribution to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) during the War in Afghanistan where they supported British Challenger 2-derived Titan bridgelayers and Trojan combat engineering vehicles.

In 2020, a CRARRV was used to recover rail vehicles the aftermath of the Stonehaven derailment.[3]

• United Kingdom - 80 in service, subsequently received Challenger 2 powertrain upgrades.
• Oman - 4 in service.

• Ukraine - an unspecified number of CRARRVs are to be donated to Ukraine alongside a squadron of Challenger 2 tanks in 2023.[4]

• The prototype CRARRV is on display at The REME Museum at MoD Lyneham, Wiltshire.[5]

• Challenger 1 - vehicle from which CRARRV was originally derived.
• Challenger 2 - CRARRVs subsequently upgraded to share a power train with this vehicle.
• Trojan Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineers - Challenger 2 derived combat engineering vehicle.
• M88 Recovery Vehicle - US equivalent.

• CRARRV at Rheinmetall
• CRARRV at Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land
• CRARRV on the British Army website.