The M3 light tank was created in 1938–1941 on the basis of the M2 and entered the mass production in 1941. A total of 13,000 vehicles of different modifications were produced (from M3 to M3A3) and supplied almost to all Allies under Lend-Lease. From 1942 through 1943, 1,232 M3 Stuart vehicles were sent to the U.S.S.R. They were first used in the battle for the Barvenkovo bulge near Kharkov in May 1942.