The Infantry Tank, Mk III, Valentine was an infantry tank produced in the United Kingdom during World War II. More than 8,000 of the type were produced in eleven marks, plus various specialized variants, accounting for approximately a quarter of wartime British tank production. The many variants included riveted and welded construction, petrol and diesel engines and a progressive increase in armament. It was supplied in large numbers to the USSR and built under license in Canada. It was used extensively by the British in the North African campaign. Developed by Vickers, it proved to be both strong and reliable, which was unusual for British tanks of the period.