Tanks at the Iron Curtain 1960-75

The decade of the Sixties began a broad replacement effort by both the Soviet Union and United States, Britain, and France to replace WW2 generation medium and light tanks. Technologies were pushed mostly in gun developments (e.g. fielding larger gun calibre's - to 105, 115, and 120-mm). As author Steven Zaloga establishes in this Osprey New Vanguard book, cost was a surprisingly significant factor in decision-making on both sides of the Iron Curtain. In a brief but information-packed narrative, the author explores the improvements in tanks. The availability of new and more lethal technologies often prompted change. However, the fielding of new tanks was, surprisingly, mostly incremental and the subject of politics on both sides. The text features an interesting collection of period photographs, modern illustrations and comparative tables. Well recommended to students of the Cold War.