tank

A tank is a combat vehicle designed for front-line warfare. It is typically heavily armored, armed with a large caliber main gun mounted in a rotating turret, and propelled by tracks. Tanks are designed to cross difficult terrain, provide infantry support, and engage enemy armor at range.

The concept emerged in World War I as a response to trench warfare, with early models such as the British Mark I. They evolved through interwar modernization and World War II, where medium and heavy tanks like the Soviet T-34, German Panzer III/IV, and others highlighted mobility, armor, and firepower. After World War II, main battle tanks (MBTs) consolidated roles, with advances in composite armor, high-velocity guns, stabilized fire control, and later, auto-loaders and active protection systems.

Design and components: Typical tanks consist of hull, turret, armor, and tracks. A powerplant provides mobility; a transmission directs drive to tracks. The main armament is a large-caliber gun, complemented by machine guns or anti-tank missiles. Modern tanks include advanced fire-control, night vision, rangefinders, and battlefield management systems; some employ active protection and explosive reactive armor.

Roles and deployment: Tanks perform breakthrough, assault, and infantry-support tasks within combined arms operations. They rely on support from infantry, artillery, airpower, and reconnaissance; able to operate in diverse climates and terrains.

Other uses: The term tank also refers to containers used for storing liquids or gases, such as water tanks, fuel tanks, or industrial storage tanks.