Tank

A tank is a type of armored fighting vehicle, intended as a primarily offensive weapon in front-line ground combat. Tank designs balance firepower, protection, and mobility and are a mainstay of modern ground forces. They are a critical component of combined arms warfare.

National tank doctrine is broadly split into two approaches. Some nations, particularly those with smaller militaries or limited budgets, may field a limited number of designs, usually a "main battle tank", that may be supported by limited numbers of other types. By contrast, larger powers and major military blocs often employ a full-spectrum array of tank types, each tailored for specific battlefield roles, environmental conditions, or operational doctrines.

Types

Type	Role	Example(s)	Notes
Main Battle	A nation’s primary armored fighting vehicle, typically designed to balance firepower, protection, and mobility. Main Battle Tanks are intended to perform a wide range of frontline roles and are produced in large numbers, forming the core of armored formations. While capabilities vary by design era and doctrine, MBTs generally represent the most strategically significant tank in a nation's inventory, optimized for versatility rather than specialization.	T-680 Pz.Kpfw.XLII - "Panzer 42" M9 Cortez Type 84 Chi-To	Main Battle Tanks are most commonly employed by nations with smaller or moderately sized militaries, where a single, versatile platform must fulfill multiple roles. In larger forces with more diverse armored inventories, the same design might be classified as a medium tank.
Light	Light tanks are characterized by their reduced armor and firepower. They compensate with superior speed, reduced size, and lower weight, resulting in greater tactical mobility and reduced logistics. These attributes make light tanks particularly suited for operations requiring rapid maneuvering or independant operations; planetary landings, screening actions, armored reconnaissance, skirmishes, and artillery or orbital observation.	BT-710M Renault Chasseur-40 ASAD Al-Antarah	The functional roles of light tanks and assault guns, can occasionally intersect, as both vehicle types may be employed in similar operational contexts, depending on doctrine and force composition.
Cruiser	High-mobility hovercraft capable of traversing hazardous terrain, including difficult environments where traditional tracked or wheeled vehicles would be impractical. They are particularly effective in river crossings and marshy areas, allowing for rapid deployment across landscapes traditionally resistant to maneuver warfare. Typically featuring lighter armor compared to other types, they compensate with the potential for significantly higher speeds, making them ideal for flanking maneuvers, fast assaults, and exploitation roles.	Cutlass III VBC-15 Ciclone
Medium	Medium tanks balance protection, firepower, and mobility similarly to main battle tanks. However, they are distinguished by their role not as the primary armored component of an army, but as part of a diverse array of vehicles that may include light, heavy, and other specialized tank types.	T-680 Pz.Kpfw.XLII - "Panzer 42" M9 Cortez Type 84 Chi-To
Siege	Heavily armed and armored infantry support vehicles designed for use in urban or other close-quarters environments. Their primary armament is optimized for breaching fortifications and entrenched positions rather than engaging enemy armor.	Sturmpanzerwagen 902/3 "Sturmfront"
Heavy	Characterized by their thick armor and armor-piercing weaponry, heavy tanks are designed to dominate in direct confrontations with enemy armor while resisting return fire. Although slower and less maneuverable than lighter tanks, their superior protection and firepower make them ideal for breaking through fortified positions and leading frontal assaults.
Super Heavy	Designed as breakthrough vehicles with extremely thick armor and powerful main guns, super heavy tanks are built to withstand sustained enemy fire and demolish fortified positions. Typically much larger and heavier than standard heavy tanks, they sacrifice mobility and speed for unmatched protection and firepower. Their primary role is to spearhead assaults against heavily defended areas and engage rival enemy armor.
Specialist	Specialist tanks are designed to fulfill niche roles on the battlefield, often equipped with unconventional or exotic weaponry such as flamethrowers, stealth, or directed energy systems. These vehicles are typically deployed to address specific tactical challenges, such as clearing fortifications, combating infantry in dense terrain, or neutralizing electronic threats. Due to their specialized nature, they are often integrated into mixed formations to complement more conventional armor.