Heavy tanks are large, armored monsters which are designed to destroy enemy tanks and fortifications. Medium tanks are reasonably agile multi-purpose tanks which are able to take on many roles such as scouts, support, or even front-line tanks. Light tanks are small, agile tanks which are able to both scout and fight lightly armored opponents. As the war progressed, tank designs divided into different specializations. Early tanks were armed with machine guns and small cannons, moved slowly, and were armored only enough to stop small arms fire. The name Tank was adopted by the British during the early stages of their development, as a security measure to conceal their purpose. Tanks in World War I were developed separately and simultaneously by the United Kingdom and France as a means to break the deadlock of trench warfare on the Western Front. Great War tanks are used by light tank battalions.

For example, Medium Tank battalions will not request Great War Tanks, but Light Tank brigades currently using Light Tank I will request Light Tank II. Each battalion type will request upgraded equipment within its line.

Tank battalion types are detailed below.

Modern Tanks can be researched in 1945 after either Medium Tank III or Heavy Tank III.

Heavy Tanks spin off Super Heavy Tanks in 1943 (from Heavy Tank II).Medium Tank III and Heavy Tank III each allow the other to be researched.Medium Tank II and Heavy Tank II each allow the other to be researched.

Light Tanks spin off Amphibious Tanks in 1940 (requires Man the Guns DLC).Light Tanks spin off Medium Tanks in 1939.The tree splits into Light Tank and Heavy Tank branches.The tank tech tree is structured as follows:

Modern warfare tank list