The differentiation was not absolute: the IV could fire HEAT shells and the III could fire high-explosive shells to attack infantry, but neither was as effective in the roles of the other.Īs the war progressed, tanks, heavier anti-tank guns, and tank-versus-tank combat became much more common on the battlefield. It resulted in: the 'medium' Panzer III, armed with an anti-tank gun and intended to fulfill the general-purpose medium tank role and the 'heavy', support Panzer IV, initially armed with a 75mm short-barreled gun for engaging bunkers, towed antitank guns and other soft targets, with strong frontal armour but weaker side and rear armour. Light, medium, and heavy have other meanings than just weight, e.g., relating to gun size, the amount of armour, and, most importantly, tactical role.įor example, in the mid-1930s to early '40s, Nazi Germany developed a new generation of tanks after its Panzer I. For example, late-World War II medium tanks were as heavy as early-war heavy tanks.

Weight-based classifications are useful, but only in reference to a period's other tanks. Other specialist roles include anti-tank vehicles or tank destroyers which are generally lightly armoured compared to similar generation multi-purpose tanks, and assault guns that mount oversized and typically low-velocity guns, for attacking fortifications. The British referred to these as infantry tanks and cruiser tanks respectively. Modern tank designs have favoured a 'universal' design that has generally eliminated these sorts of classifications from modern terminology, which tends to refer to almost all designs as main battle tanks despite sometimes significant weight differences.Ī common division in the definition of roles has been between tanks intended to focus on supporting infantry in the assault, and tanks intended for classic cavalry missions of exploitation, screening and reconnaissance.

The weight classification is used in the same way truck classification is used, and is intended to accommodate logistic requirements of the tanks The classification by role was used primarily during the developmental stage of the national armoured forces, and referred to the doctrinal and force structure utility of the tanks based on design emphasis.

Tank classification is a taxonomy of identifying either the intended role or weight class of tanks.

Modern american super-heavy tank