Interest in light tanks is growing and isn’t limited to India and China - the US and Japan are also reinvesting in the concept - but China’s and India’s need is especially pronounced, as the terrain separating them is particularly difficult for main battle tanks.

Their design puts an emphasis on speed and maneuverability at the cost of armor and firepower. Light tanks are intended to provide direct support to infantry against enemy positions and light armored vehicles rather than square off against enemy tanks on their own. Their presence has exposed shortcomings in the Indian military’s armored inventory, which relies heavily on main battle tanks that struggle in high altitudes.Ĭonsequently, India is planning to developing its own light tank to level the playing field. Both countries continue to build up military forces and infrastructure around hotspots on the border.Īn important part of that buildup has been China’s deployment of light tanks, which can maneuver well on mountainous terrain and deploy quickly in large numbers. Repeated rounds of talks over disengagement have failed, and Chinese and Indian soldiers were wounded in another brawl in December.

Three years after the first deadly clash on India’s and China’s disputed Himalayan border in decades, the region remains tense.

China newest main battle tank