Comparing: Cruiser Mk. III vs. Pz.Kpfw. 38H 735 (f) vs. T-60

The vehicle was developed on the basis of the M1931 Christie tanks, purchased by the British Army in 1936. The vehicle was intended to be a fast, lightly-armored breakthrough tank. The modified design was deemed successful and became the basis for other cruiser tanks. A total of 65 vehicles were built. They saw combat in France and North Africa in 1940–1941.

In May 1940 the French Army had more than 800 vehicles of this type, most of which were captured by the German forces. They were widely used by the Wehrmacht to supplement existing armor.

Developed in August 1941 at the Construction Bureau of Plant No. 37 under the supervision of N. A. Astrov. The vehicle came into service in September 1941, and was mass-produced until February 1943, with a total of 5920 vehicles manufactured. The T-60 tank was in service until the end of the war.