Ground Vehicles
The Combat Vehicle 90120 is a Swedish light tank built on the CV 90 chassis, combining high mobility with formidable firepower. Designed to offer a cost-effective alternative to main battle tanks, it features a powerful 120mm gun and advanced systems to enhance battlefield performance.
The development of Japanese armoured vehicles began like many other industrial nations, inspired by the pioneering tanks of World War I. Domestic production started in the late 1920s, with Japan's tanks battle-tested during the Sino-Japanese conflict and the early Pacific campaigns of the 1930s. However, stagnation set in due to budget cuts and turmoil in tactics, leaving Japan's tank forces outdated by World War II. Development in the 1940s was largely defensive, and the tanks on the frontlines were from the 1930s, giving a false impression of Japan’s capabilities. After the war, Japan relied on U.S. equipment until regaining sovereignty, when development resumed. Since the 1950s, Japanese tanks have embraced NATO principles while incorporating unique innovations, focusing on advanced, defence-oriented designs to maintain a robust self-defence force.
The Namer 30 is an experimental modification of the regular Namer APC equipped with the Samson RCWS-30 mount on the roof. The Namer is based off the Merkava 4 MBT chassis, inheriting the same spacious interior and good protection against chemical weapons and autocannons. However, the Namer’s potent armament and good survivability are held back by the extremely exposed weapons mount, making the Namer easy to disable in combat.
This article will explore the development and service history of the Sd.Kfz. 234 heavy armoured car family, which includes the Sd.Kfz. 234/1, 234/2, 234/3, and 234/4. The Sd.Kfz. 234 series were the last to be produced by Germany during the Second World War, and were relatively uncommon. Despite this, they remain some of the most well-known armoured cars of their time.
The Type 90 (90式戦車) is a third-generation main battle tank (MBT) developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF). Introduced in 1990 to replace the ageing Type 61 and Type 74, it was designed to counter modern Soviet tanks like the T-72 and compete with Western MBTs such as the M1 Abrams and Leopard 2. Armed with a 120 mm L/44 smoothbore gun, it reflects the standard firepower of Gen 3 tanks. Though still in service, the Type 90 is being supplemented & gradually phased out in favour of the lighter yet more advanced Type 10, shifting as the Japanese Gen 3.5 MBT.
The AMX-50 (TO90/930) is one of the many, many vehicles in the AMX-50 family—however, this tank has a dark secret: it's not like the others! For one, it stole its turret straight off the Char 25t, meaning it shares the same turret characteristics—including the ability to fire APHE shells, a sort of black magic for domestic French vehicles of this tier. The TO90 also shares the excellent 4-second reload with its brothers and can zoom around the map almost uncontested with its unparalleled mobility, although it can't take much fire because of its thin armor. Let's dive into the TO90's intricacies to see how it stacks up against its peers and adversaries!
Among the many armored vehicles that saw service during World War II, few have attained the mythic status of the Panzerkampfwagen VI, also known as the Tiger I. This 57-ton beast marks the beginning of the German heavy tank line and is a textbook example of a tank of its class, capable of inflicting and taking heavy damage due to its powerful armament and thick armor protection.
Japan purchased the Tiger E (Chassis No. 250455) under the advice of General Hiroshi Ōshima, the Japanese ambassador in Berlin. General Ōshima had visited the Eastern Front, where he saw the formidable Tiger tank. In May 1943, Japan made an offer to acquire either the blueprints or an actual model of the tank. The plan was to ship the tank to Japan by submarine, intending to strengthen Japanese tank forces and serve as valuable research material. However, the transfer was never completed due to the increasing dominance of Allied naval forces. As a result, the Tiger I was loaned "back" to the Germans and subsequently used in the 101st SS Heavy Panzer Battalion in Belgium.
The SU-85A is the big brother of the SU-76M, featuring the same strengths and weaknesses but at a much higher Battle Rating. Unlike the SU-76M, it is armed with the 85mm D-5S cannon and has access to a wide variety of very potent ammunition types that excel at both short range and long range. The armor of the two vehicles is the same, with the only exception being a thin armor plate that covers the crew from the rear from low calibre machine guns.
