The British government has announced a large-scale modernization of the entire tank fleet of the country, which provides for the conversion of all tracked military vehicles to left-hand drive. This decision, estimated at 1.4 billion pounds, is related to a new European Commission directive requiring military vehicles on European roads to comply with the right-hand traffic standard to enhance safety and integration in multinational exercises.
The EU directive aims to unify transport standards, which is especially important during joint NATO maneuvers, where the participation of British tanks with right steering could pose risks to coordination. However, the switch to left-hand drive has caused controversy: critics call the project expensive and technically difficult, given that most British military vehicles have historically been adapted to right-hand traffic.
The upgrade will affect hundreds of vehicles, including the main battle tanks Challenger 3. The process includes reinstalling controls, reprogramming electronic systems, and testing for compatibility with the EU infrastructure. Work is expected to begin in 2026 and be completed by 2030, in line with the UK's overall strategy to become a technological superpower.
This move underscores London's desire to maintain close defense ties with the EU despite Brexit. Experts point out that the unification of standards could simplify Britain's participation in European operations, such as missions in the Baltic States or the Balkans.
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