The Canadian Army Trophy (CAT) competition was established to foster excellence and competition among the armor forces of the NATO countries in Western Europe. First held in 1963, the event was so named for the hosts, the Canadian Army Brigade forward deployed in West Germany. It was decided to hold the competition every two years at Bergen-Hohne (and later also Grafenwoehr), Germany, from 1963 to 1991. Each member country was invited to field a 'team' to represent their respective Armies. Nations represented include Canada, Belgium, Great Britain, the Netherlands, West Germany and the United States. NATO 2002 Summit in Prague The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation[1] (NATO), also called the North Atlantic Alliance, the Atlantic Alliance or the Western Alliance, is an international organisation for collective security established in 1949, in support of the North Atlantic Treaty signed in Washington, DC, on 4 April 1949. ... A common understanding of Western Europe in modern times. ...

The failures of a nation's entrant to place well at the CAT have had considerable defence industry impact. The showing of the Great Britain's Royal Hussars at the 1987 competition was the subject of a front page story in London's Sunday Telegraph, June 21, 1987, titled "NATO Allies Outgun Britain's New Battle Tanks". Critics have used the results of CATs to criticize the way a nation's army trains, the quality of its soldiers, and its procurement policies.

1971 was the last year the Great Britain team won the CAT - 16th/5th The Queen's Royal Lancers.

1977 was won by the Canadian team won the CAT - Royal Canadian Dragoons.

1979 was the first year that the USA team finished other than last place (4th place) - M-3/2 ACR - an especially noteworthy effort by Lieutenant (later Captain) David Andersson - the M60A1's being used by the USA entry were the oldest generation of tanks competing.

1981 was the first year the Great Britain team the CAT - Royal Scotts Dragoon Guards.

1983 was the first year the Netherlands team won the CAT - 4th Plt, 41st Tnk Bn (Dienstplichtige Huzaren).

1987 was the first year that the USA team finished first - the M1's being used by the USA entry finally matched the equipment capabilities of the other NATO entries. NATO 2002 Summit in Prague The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation[1] (NATO), also called the North Atlantic Alliance, the Atlantic Alliance or the Western Alliance, is an international organisation for collective security established in 1949, in support of the North Atlantic Treaty signed in Washington, DC, on 4 April 1949. ...

1989 was the last year the Netherlands team won the CAT - 4th Plt, 41st Tnk Bn (Dienstplichtige Huzaren).