Modern tanks are frightening machines, capable of dominating a battlefield. Since their invention, these armored combat vehicles have been used in various ways, from breaking up enemy lines to making it easier to drop allies into the middle of battle. While heavy tanks are intimidating and full of fighting power, there are lighter versions that serve a slightly different purpose. Although not as well-armed or armored as their heavy counterparts, light tanks make up for their shortcomings in those areas with their agility and adaptability in reconnaissance, urban warfare, and rapid deployment capabilities. (These are the 15 largest tank battles of all time.)
To identify the lightest tanks of the modern era, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed a catalog of tanks from Military Factory, an online database of arms, vehicles, and aircraft used by militaries around the world. We ranked them according to their weight, excluding any that weighed more than 45 tons. Supplemental information about the type, country of origin, manufacturer, top speed, and armament also came from the Military Factory. We excluded tanks that did not make it out of the prototype or proposal stage. (These are the countries with the most tanks.)
Here is a look at some more of the lightest tanks of the modern era:
Why We Are Covering Tank Sizes
Source: ajw1970 / Flickr
Billions of dollars go towards militaries in pretty much every country. If you’re someone curious about state spending and where your hard-earned income goes when it’s taxed, you need to understand how the government spends the money. Tanks are one way that military organizations use their funding for the year. They are useful for crossing rough ground and keeping the soldiers inside protected while also acting as a powerful fighting force.
32. TR-580 (Tanc Romanesc Model 580)
- Tank Weight: 44.8 tons
- First year in service: 1977
- Country of origin Romania
Romania is first on the list. Their 1977 tank weighed 44.8 tons and was made in 1977 by State Factories. It was capable of reaching speeds up to 31 miles per hour. Romania used it as a main battle tank and it featured weapons including a 100mm A308 rifled main gun, a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, and a 12.7mm heavy machine gun.
31. T-55
- Tank Weight: 44.6 tons
- First year in service: 1958
- Country of origin Soviet Union
The Soviet Union is a country you’ll see appear on this list several times. This older tank, first made in 1958, weighed 44.6 tons and was manufactured by State Factories. It reached speeds up to 31 miles per hour and held weapons such as a 100mm D-10 rifled main gun, a 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun, and a 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun.
30. Type 10 MBT
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Tank Weight: 44.1 tons
- First year in service: 2012
- Country: Japan
This Type 10 MBT is a main battle tank for Japan. It’s made by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and weighs 43 miles per hour. This tank has several weapons, including a 120mm L44 smoothbore main gun, a 12.7mm Browning M2HB anti-aircraft heavy machine gun, a 7.62mm type 74 coaxial machine gun, and smoke grenade dischargers.
29. HIT Al-Zarrar
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Tank Weight: 44.1 tons
- First year in service: 2004
- Country: Pakistan
HIT Al-Zarrar is 44 tons and was made as a main battle tank in 2004 for Pakistan. Heavy Industries Taxila was the manufacturer of this 40 miles per hour tank. Its weapons are a 125mm smoothbore main gun, a 12.7mm anti-aircraft heavy machine gun, a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, and smoke grenade dischargers.
28. Chonma-ho (Pegasus)
- Tank Weight: 44.1 tons
- First year in service: 1981
- Country: North Korea
In 1981, North Korea’s main battle tank was made by the Second Machine Industry Bureau. It had a top speed of 31 miles per hour and weighed about 44 tons. The Chonma-ho’s weapons include a 125mm 2A46 main gun, a 14.5mm KPV anti-aircraft heavy machine gun, a 7.62mm PKT coaxial general-purpose machine gun, and smoke grenade dischargers.
27. T-64
- Tank Weight: 43 tons
- First year in service: 1966
- Country: Soviet Union
The Soviet Union also had a main battle tank made in 1966. The manufacturer is Malyshev Factory. It weighs 43 tons and includes weapons such as a 125mm D-81 smoothbore main gun, a 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun, and a 12.7mm NSVT anti-aircraft machine gun.
26. Vickers MBT (VMBT)
- Tank Weight: 42.7 tons
- First year in service: 1965
- Country: United Kingdom
Vickers MBT is a main battle tank made for the United Kingdom by BAE Systems and Avadi Company. It’s a somewhat slow tank, with only a top speed of 31 miles per hour. The tank weapons are a 105mm main gun, a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, a 7.62mm anti-aircraft machine gun, a 12.7mm heavy machine gun, and smoke grenade dischargers.
25. NORINCO ZTZ-88 (Type 80/85/88)
- Tank Weight: 41.9 tons
- First year in service: 1985
- Country: China
China North Industries Corporation made this main battle tank for China in 1985. It has a top speed of 40 miles per hour and the weapons include a 105mm rifled main gun, a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, a 12.7mm anti-aircraft heavy machine gun, and smoke dischargers.
24. Type 74 (Nana-yon)
- Tank Weight: 41.9 tons
- First year in service: 1975
- Country: Japan
The Type 74 is a Japanese tank made by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. It weighs nearly 42 tons and has a top speed of 37 miles per hour. This main battle tank features a 105mm rifled main gun, a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, and a 12.7mm anti-aircraft heavy machine gun.
23. DIO Zulfiqar
- Tank Weight: 41.7 tons
- First year in service: 1996
- Country: Iran
The DIO Zulfiqar is an Iranian tank made by the Defense Industries Organization (DIO). It’s a main battle tank and has weapons such as a 125mm smoothbore main gun, a 7.62 coaxial machine gun, a 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun, a 7.62mm anti-aircraft machine gun, and smoke grenade dischargers.
22. DIO T-72Z (T-55)
- Tank Weight: 39.7 tons
- First year in service: 1996
- Country: Iran
The DIO T-72Z is the main battle tank for Iran. It was made by the Defense Industries Organization, also known as DIO. The tank has a top speed of 40 miles per hour. This battle tank is all geared up for battle with a 105mm M68 rifled main gun, a 12.7mm anti-aircraft heavy machine gun, a 7.62 coaxial machine gun, and smoke grenade dischargers.
21. T-54
- Tank Weight: 39.7 tons
- First year in service: 1949
- Country: Soviet Union
This medium tank belongs to the Soviet Union. It was made by State Factories and called the T-54. The top speed is 30 miles per hour and the included weapons are a 100mm D-10TG main gun, a 7.62mm SG MT coaxial machine gun, and a 7.62mm bow-mounted machine gun.
20. TAMSE TAM (Tanque Argentino Mediano)
- Tank Weight: 33.1 tons
- First year in service: 1983
- Country: Argentina
This Argentinian tank is a medium tank made by Thyssen-Henschel and TAMSE. It’s called a TAMSE TAM and has a top speed of 47 miles per hour. The included weapons are a 105mm rifled main gun, a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, a 7.62mm anti-aircraft machine gun, and smoke grenade dischargers.
19. T-34
- Tank Weight: 30.9 tons
- First year in service: 1940
- Country: Soviet Union
The T-34 is a Soviet Union tank made by State Factories. It has a top speed of 32 miles per hour and is considered a medium tank, weighing a little under 31 tons. This tank has a few weapons, including an 85mm D-5T / ZiS-S-53 main gun, a 7.62mm DT MG coaxial machine gun, and a 7.62mm DT machine gun.
18. Stridsfordon 90 (CV90 / Strf 90)
- Tank Weight: 29.8 tons
- First year in service: 1993
- Country: Sweden
Sweden also has a tank on this list. The Stridsfordon 90 was a Swedish tank made in 1993 by Hagglunds and BAE Systems. It is an infantry fighting vehicle and a light tank with a top speed of 43 miles per hour. The weapons attached to this tank are a 40mm Bofors autocannon, a 7.62mm Browning coaxial machine gun, and smoke grenade dischargers.
17. NORINCO ZBD2000 (Z-Series)
- Tank Weight: 28.7 tons
- First year in service: 2006
- Country: China
The NORINCO ZBD2000 is an amphibious armory recovery vehicle, infantry fighting vehicle, and a light tank made for China by the China North Industries Corporation. It has a top speed of 40 miles per hour and features a 105mm rifled main gun, a 12.7mm anti-aircraft heavy machine gun, a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, and smoke grenade dischargers for its weapons.
16. NORINCO ZTQ-15 (Type 15 / VT-5)
- Tank Weight: 27.6 tons
- First year in service: 2021
- Country: China
The NORINCO ZTQ-15 is a relatively new tank, made in 2021 for China by the China North Industries Corporation. It can get up to 43 miles per hour. It has a 105mm turret gun, a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, a 12.7mm heavy machine gun, a 40mm automatic grenade launcher, and smoke grenade dischargers attached as weapons.
15. M41 Walker Bulldog
- Tank Weight: 25.9 tons
- First year in service: 1951
- Country: United States
The United States had the M41 Walker Bulldog made by Cadillac Gage in 1951. It weighs just under 26 tons and has a top speed of 45 miles per hour. The weapons on this light tank are the 76mm M32 main gun, the 12.7mm M2 Browning anti-aircraft machine gun, and the 7.62mm Browning M1914A4 coaxial machine gun.
14. NORINCO Type 62 (WZ131)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Tank Weight: 23.1 tons
- First year in service: 1963
- Country: China
The NORINCO Type 62 is a light tank made for China by the China North Industries Corporation. It has a top speed of 37 miles per hour and features several weapons like the 85mm type 62-85TC rifled main gun, 7.62mm type 59T coaxial machine gun, 7.62mm type 59T bow-mounted machine gun, and the 12.7mm Type 54 anti-aircraft heavy machine gun.
13. Type 85 (YW531H)
- Tank Weight: 22 tons
- First year in service: 1985
- Country: North Korea
State Factories made the Type 85 amphibious light tank for North Korea in 1985. It’s not very fast, only 35 miles per hour. The weapons included in the tank are an 85mm main gun, a 14.5mm anti-aircraft heavy machine gun, and a 7.62mm general-purpose machine gun.
12. Cadillac Gage Stingray
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Tank Weight: 21 tons
- First year in service: 1988
- Country: United States
This tank is made by Cadillac Gage and Textron Systems for the United States. It has a top speed of 43 miles per hour. This light tank has a few weapons mounted on the system, including a 105mm L7A3 rifled main gun, a 12.7mm Browning anti-aircraft heavy machine gun, a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, and smoke grenade dischargers.
11. BMP-3 (Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Tank Weight: 20.6 tons
- First year in service: 1987
- Country: Soviet Union
The BMP-3 is a Soviet Union light tank. It was manufactured by the Kurgan Machine Construction Plant in 1987. It weighs 20.6 tons and has a top speed of 43 miles per hour. It features a few weapons, including a 100mm 2A70 rifled main gun, a 30mm 2A72 coaxial machine gun, a 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun, and smoke grenade dischargers.
10. NORINCO Type 63 (WZ211)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Tank Weight: 20.3 tons
- First year in service: 1963
- Country: China
The NORINCO Type 63 is an amphibious light tank with smoke grenade dischargers. It has a top speed of 40 miles per hour. It’s a Chinese tank made by China North Industries Corporation.
9. 2S25 (Sprut-SD)
- Tank Weight: 19.8 tons
- First year in service: 2007
- Country: Russia
The 2S25 is a light tank built by Volgograd Tractor Plant in Russia in 2007. It has a top speed of 43 miles per hour and features a 125mm 2A75 main gun, a 7.62 coaxial machine gun, and smoke grenade dischargers.
8. Jagdpanzer SK 105 Kurassier
Source: Wikimedia Commons
- Tank Weight: 19.5 tons
- First year in service: 1971
- Country: Austria
The Jagdpanzer SK 105 Kurassier is an Austrian light tank. Saurer-Werk and Steyr-Daimler-Puch worked together to create this vehicle with a top speed of 43 miles per hour. The included weapons are a 105mm main gun, a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, and smoke grenade dischargers.
7. BMP-2 (Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty)
- Tank Weight: 16.1 tons
- First year in service: 1982
- Country: Soviet Union
In 1982, the Soviet Union contracted the Kurgan Machine Construction Plant to make the BMP-2. This tank is a little over 16 tons and has a top speed of 40 miles per hour. It is an infantry fighting vehicle with smoke dischargers, a 30mm 2A42 main gun, a 7.62mm PKTM coaxial machine gun, and a 9M113 Konkurs missile launcher as weapons.
6. BMD-4 (Boyevaya Mashina Desanta)
- Tank Weight: 15 tons
- First year in service: 2005
- Country: Russia
The BMD-4 was made in 2005 for Russia. Volgograd Tractor Plant is the manufacturer of this light infantry fighting vehicle. At 15 tons, the tank has a top speed of 43 miles per hour. It also features several different weapons, including a 40mm automatic grenade launcher, a smoke grenade discharger, a 100mm main gun, a 30mm cannon, and an AT-5 Spandrel anti-tank guided missile launcher.
5. BMD-3 (Boyevaya Mashina Desanta)
- Tank Weight: 14.6 tons
- First year in service: 1990
- Country: Soviet Union
BMD-3 is a 14.6-ton tank. Volgograd Tractor Plant built this tank for the Soviet Union in 1990. It gets up to 44 miles per hour and is made to be an amphibious light tank. The BMD-3 features quite a few weapons, including the 30mm cannon, 7.62mm machine gun, 5.45mm machine gun, 40mm grenade launcher, and smoke dischargers.
4. BMP-1 (Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty)
- Tank Weight: 13.8 tons
- First year in service: 1966
- Country: Soviet Union
BMP-1 is an infantry fighting vehicle. State Factories built this tank for the Soviet Union in 1966. It has a top speed of 40 miles per hour and is considered an infantry fighting vehicle. The BMP-1 has a 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun, and a 7.62mm PKT bow-mounted machine gun as weapons.
3. BMD-2 (Boyevaya Mashina Desanta)
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- Tank Weight: 12.7 tons
- First year in service: 1985
- Country: Soviet Union
The BMD-2 is an amphibious light tank built by the Volgograd Tractor Plant for the Soviet Union. It has a top speed of 50 miles per hour. A 7.62mm PKT bow-mounted machine gun, 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun, 30mm 2A42 cannon, and an ATGM missile launcher are the weapons this tank holds.
2. Alvis FV107 Scimitar
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Tank Weight: 8.9 tons
- First year in service: 1971
- Country: United Kingdom
At 8.9 tons, the Alvis FV 107 Scimitar is a reasonably tiny tank, though not the smallest. This tank is used as an armed reconnaissance vehicle with a top speed of 50 miles per hour. Alvis manufactured it for the United Kingdom and it features smoke grenade dischargers, 30mm L21 RARDEN cannons, and a 7.62mm L37A1 coaxial machine gun.
1. BMD-1 (Boyevaya Mashina Desanta)
- Tank Weight: 8.3 tons
- First year in service: 1966
- Country: Soviet Union
This relatively tiny tank is made to be an infantry fighting vehicle. It was manufactured by the Volgograd Tractor Plant for the Soviet Union and has a top speed of 50 miles per hour. Despite its size, this tank has a 73mm 2A28 smoothbore cannon and a 9M14M anti-tank guided missile.
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