Comparing: Cruiser Mk. III vs. T-26

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.

Produced in greater numbers than any other tank of the Red Army during the pre-war period, with 11,218 vehicles in four main modifications built from 1931 through 1941.