UK gives Ukraine Challneger 2 tanks with shells containing depleted uranium to boost armour-piercing effect

The Ukrainian Armed Forces will receive shells containing depleted uranium. This was announced by UK Deputy Defence Secretary Baroness Annabel Goldie in response to an enquiry on the website of the UK Parliament.

Here's What We Know

The UK will transfer depleted uranium shells to Ukraine along with a squadron of Challenger 2 tanks. It should be noted right away that the use of such munitions has nothing to do with the use of nuclear weapons.

Depleted uranium-core sub-caliber projectiles significantly increase their armor-piercing effect due to their high specific gravity. Depleted uranium has a density of 19,050 ^kg/m3. This is 67% higher than the density of lead, but slightly lower than that of tungsten.

Germany was the first country to use depleted uranium. The reason was a lack of dense tungsten. The United States began producing such munitions about 50 years ago. So far, the British Challenger 2, the American Abrams and the German Leopard 2 can use depleted uranium projectiles.

Source: UK Parliament