The FT was in many respects the first truly modern tank having a layout that has been followed by almost all designs ever since: driver at the front main armament in a fully rotating turret on top engine at the rear. Renault's small tank design, the FT, was the first tank to incorporate a top-mounted turret with a full rotation. The car industry, already used to vehicle mass production and having much more experience in vehicle layout, designed the first practical light tanks in 1916, a class largely neglected by the British. In World War I, industrial initiative also led to swift advances. History 20th century World War I US Army operating Renault FT tanks Modified IFVs are assuming these roles in many militaries due to their immediate availability, and as a cheaper versatile alternative to developing and fielding a pure light tank. The light tank has been one of the few tank variants to survive the development of the main battle tank-in which technological advancements have rendered all previous weight variants obsolete-and has seen use in a variety of roles including the support of light airborne or amphibious forces and reconnaissance. Numerous small tank designs and ' tankettes' were developed during this period and known under a variety of names, including the ' combat car'.Įarly light tank designs were generally better armed and armored than armored cars, but used tracks in order to provide better cross-country mobility. The fast light tank was a major feature of the pre– World War II army buildup, where it was expected they would be used to exploit breakthroughs in enemy lines created by slower, heavier tanks, with the goal of disrupting communications and supply lines.

They are primarily employed in the screening, armored reconnaissance, skirmishing, artillery observation, and supplementing landing operations in a fire support role of expeditionary forces where larger, heavier tanks are unavailable or have difficulties operating safely or efficiently. It is smaller in size with thinner armor and a less powerful main gun, tailored for better tactical mobility and ease of transport and logistics. A light tank is a tank variant initially designed for rapid movements in and out of combat, to outmaneuver heavier tanks.

Modern german light tanks