The ARL-44 was a French heavy tank that was developed shortly before the conclusion of World War II. Only sixty units were ever manufactured, beginning in 1949. The vehicle was unimpressive and saw only limited service. The tank was decommissioned in 1953. The ARL-44 is undoubtedly based on an earlier French heavy tank design. The hull is long but narrow, built for crossing deep trenches during wartime. The covered suspension, with its many small road wheels, is the most evident indication of its Char B1 heavy tank ancestry; it is virtually identical to that of the Char B1 ter. Partly due to a lack of a powerful enough engine, the tank compensates by using a more efficient petro-electric transmission. As this type of transmission easily overheats, the ARL-44 was outfitted with a remarkable and complicated set of ventilators and cooling ducts; the engine deck was extended behind the tracks to accommodate them all.

The ARL-44 Bayard was introduced in Update 2.59 "Sky Odyssey". The "Bayard" is almost identical to the regular ARL-44, with the exception of a unique camouflage based on experimental camouflages from 1939 that were tested on French B1 bis tanks. Other differences include spare tracks on the frontal hull and a roof-mounted anti-air machine gun. It has a powerful cannon, but the mobility and protection are not adequate for close ranges and should be kept in mind.