Development of the Scorpion light tank began in 2005 when the then-San Doradan Army realized its growing arsenal of Silverado main battle tanks was ill suited for the sort of rapid, air-assault-oriented mobile warfare operations preferred by the SDA. Whilst the Silverado was highly survivable its heavy armor was not necessary to defend against light RPGs and AT-guns, and its relatively heavy weight (45 tons) made air-transport difficult.