Editing Tank classification (section)

==Tank generations==
Tanks are sometimes classified as belonging to a particular generation, although the actual definition and membership in these generations is not clearly defined.  Soviet and Russian military planners organise tanks into a generation of tanks up to 1945, and four generations of main battle tanks,<ref>"The Soviets saw tank generations in this manner: 1920–1945, first generation; 1946–1960, second generation; 1961–1980, third generation; and 1981–present, fourth generation. Since the last really new tank design, the T-80, came out in 1976, they feel that they have not produced a true Fourth Generation Tank Design. In comparison, they count the M1 Abrams, Challenger, and Leopard 2 as Fourth Generation and the LeClerc as Fifth Generation".  —Sewell 1988, note 1.</ref> while Canadian strategists organise main battle tanks into three generations.<ref>"The Canadian Directorate of Land Strategic Concept defines three generations of Main Battle Tanks. The first generation of post World War II Main Battle Tanks includes the U.S. M48/M60, the German Leopard 1 and the British Centurion and Chieftain. The second generation includes most of the {{convert|120|mm|3|abbr=on}} Main Battle Tanks such as the American M1A1, the German Leopard 2 and the British Challenger. As for the third generation Main Battle Tank, they include the latest 'digital' tank such as the French Leclerc and perhaps the American M1A2 and the German Leopard 2A5". —Lamontagne 2003, pp 7–8.</ref> The military of the People's Republic of China also recognises three generations of its own tanks.