Tankbau

Tankbau is the process of design, development, and manufacture of armored fighting vehicles, most notably tanks. The term is used in German-language contexts and in international defence discourse to describe the full life cycle of tank platforms, from concept studies to production and in-service support.

Historically, tank construction began in the early 20th century in response to trench warfare. The first operational tanks appeared during World War I, as Britain, France, and other powers developed evolving designs. After World War II, main battle tanks became standard in many arsenals, with ongoing modernization emphasizing survivability, precision fire, and integration with information networks.

Core elements of tankbau include hull and chassis layout, turret design, armor concepts, propulsion and suspension, armament and fire-control systems, sensors, and crew survivability. Armor approaches range from rolled homogeneous armor to composite and reactive materials. Production combines advanced casting and forging, precision assembly, and extensive testing—mobility trials, ballistic tests, and reliability assessments. Modern tanks also employ modular armor, digital fire-control, and, in many cases, active protection systems.

Industry organization involves defense contractors, suppliers, and national defense policies. The practice relies on computer-aided design, simulations, prototyping, and stringent quality assurance and export controls. Global supply chains for steel, composites, electronics, and propulsion sustain production, while treaties and end-user restrictions shape transfers. Ongoing development focuses on network-centric warfare, automation, and the balance between protection, firepower, and mobility.