The basic definition of a "tank" is an armored vehicle moving on an endless track and armed with a large-caliber gun. Beyond that, a tank can be -- and has been -- just about anything its designers have wanted it to be. In these profiles, however, we will concentrate on historical tanks that are designed to punch through enemy lines so that following infantry can occupy ground.
![]() ©2007 Publications International, Ltd. The American M-60 Main Battle Tank (left) and American M-1 Abrams Main Battle Tank (right). See more tank pictures. |
To begin learning about tanks throughout the history of warfare, see:
United States Tanks
- M-3 Stuart (Honey)/M-5 Light Tank
- M-3 Grant/Lee Medium Tank
- M-4 Sherman Medium Tank
- M-24 Chaffee Light Tank
- M-26 General Pershing Heavy Tank
- M-41 Walker Bulldog Light Tank
- M-47 General George S. Patton Medium Tank
- M-48 General George S. Patton Medium Tank
- M-60 Main Battle Tank
Soviet Union Tanks
- T-34 Medium Tank
- T-54/T-55 Main Battle Tank
- T-62 Main Battle Tank
- T-64 Main Battle Tank
- T-72 Main Battle Tank
- T-80 Main Battle Tank
German Tanks
- Panzerkampfwagens I and II
- Panzerkampfwagens III and IV
- Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger I
- Panzerkampfwagen V Panther
- Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger II
- Leopard 1 Main Battle Tank
British Tanks
- Infantry Tank Mark II A-12, Matilda II
- Cromwell A-27M Infantry Tank
- Centurion Main Battle Tank
- Chieftain Main Battle Tank
French Tanks
Israeli Tanks
Swedish Tanks
Japanese Tanks
- Type 89 CHI-RO Medium Tank
- Type 95 KE-GO Light Tank
- Type 97 SHINHOTO CHI-HA Medium Tank
- Type 61 Main Battle Tank
For more information about tanks and the military, see:
