The Avenger was a self-propelled anti-tank gun that was derived from the A30 Challenger tank. It comprised the powerful 17 pounder anti-tank gun on a fast, reliable, low-profile chassis that would make it a formidable opponent of the powerful late-war German tanks. However its development would be unhurried due to the British Army having an abundant supply of the excellent American M10 tank destroyer, which could be refitted with the 17 pounder, and the slow production of the Challenger itself, which the Avenger would supersede on the same production line. After successfully passing its various development trials, the Avenger would undertake limited service both at home and with the British Army of the Rhine, with generally unremarkable results. As such, the Avenger was representative of the many high quality armoured vehicles that narrowly missed out on wartime service, and made only a minor contribution to the post-war era.