Further development of the short-lived T-40 resulted in the T-60, which quickly incorporated lessons learned during the disastrous first months of the German invasion in 1941. It retained the suspension, chassis and engine of its predecessor but the hull was extensively redesigned to feature an improved profile, thicker armor protection and an eight-sided conical turret which mounted a more powerful 20mm ShVAK cannon. This was a considerable improvement over the T-40's 12.7mm machine gun but despite carrying armor-piercing rounds, it was still inadequate against German medium tanks which would end up being the T-60's main opposition (attempts to fit a larger gun failed due to the small size of the turret). The T-60 was expected to fight alongside the T-34 but despite similar theoretical maximum speeds, cross-country performance was less than adequate for this role. Despite being categorized as an amphibious tank, amphibious capability was removed as it was deemed as unnecessary in the combat conditions of the Eastern Front. The T-60 saw action with reconnaissance units and for infantry support during 1941-43 before eventually being replaced by the T-70. However, its chassis remained in use as rocket-launchers and artillery tractors.

The T-60 was developed from the T-30B prototype that resulted in a version of the T-40 without amphibious capability. It entered service in late 1941. An improved version was known as the T-60A with extra armor as well as solid road wheels that replaced the spoked type in the original. A rocket-launcher version was known as the BM-8-36 while a rather unconventional development of the T-40 was the A-40 glider, with detachable biplane wings that would enable it to be dropped on the battlefield ready for combat. The project, however, was abandoned.