The Vickers Mk.3 was a development of the Vickers Mk.1 tank. It was designed for export in the mid-1970s as an independent project and was supposed to be a cheap alternative to sophisticated and expensive tanks like the Chieftain. In 1977, Vickers signed a contract to build 76 Vickers Mk.3 tanks for the Kenyan Army. They were produced at the Vickers Scotswood plant in Newcastle from 1977 to 1981. In 1981, Vickers signed a contract to deliver 108 Mk.3N tanks for the Nigerian Army, while in 1990 Nigeria placed an order for another 64 Mk.3 vehicles. The tank was produced until 1995.