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
Cruiser
Medium
Assault
Heavy
Super Heavy
Specialist