Smaller and cheaper is better. Your armor being enough to force the enemy to use heavy equipment to deal with it is about the right amount, being immune to heavy stuff doesn't matter if the heavy stuff isn't immune to you.
Western tanks focus on crew survivability to the point its like tankers are supposed to impossible to kill and combat isn't supposed to be at all dangerous to them. Even when that is to the detriment of the rest of the army.
I'm over-simplying and mostly talking about context for people unfamiliar with the topic. If you want the details look at the list of requirements the Soviets have their design bureaus vs the requirements Western countries gave to their contractors. And look at how they have been modernized.
Smaller and cheaper is better. Your armor being enough to force the enemy to use heavy equipment to deal with it is about the right amount, being immune to heavy stuff doesn't matter if the heavy stuff isn't immune to you.
Western tanks focus on crew survivability to the point its like tankers are supposed to impossible to kill and combat isn't supposed to be at all dangerous to them. Even when that is to the detriment of the rest of the army.
I'm over-simplying and mostly talking about context for people unfamiliar with the topic. If you want the details look at the list of requirements the Soviets have their design bureaus vs the requirements Western countries gave to their contractors. And look at how they have been modernized.