Combat Mission Shock Force NATO
Info on the module's new infantry vehicles.
07 June 2010 --- Although the three nations present in the module use the Leopard 2 MBT, the mechanized infantry units use three different IFVs.
What you find in the module are two very different concepts: wheel versus track; light armored vehicle versus heavier infantry fighting vehicle. All of them share some aspects though.
All three usually carry six/seven soldiers, have a crew of three and are responsible for carrying the troops around the battlefield safely. However, the way in which this is accomplished is where they differ.
German and Dutch forces field tracked infantry fighting vehicles which are slower, heavier and the more expensive of the three concepts. They can, however, better protect the troops and stand their ground more effectively against the enemy. They are better suited to the traditional battlefield.
The Canadians field the eight-wheeled LAV (Light Armored Vehicle) which is faster and less expensive. It can move faster around the battlefield and can be adapted to several different roles with minor modifications. However, it´s not as well protected as the other two IFVs.
The two extremes in these concepts are the LAV3 and the CV9035NL, the latter costing twice as much as the former. The Marder is an older vehicle and a concept that somehow falls in between the other two. Its main weapon is closer to the one used in the LAV3 although it is tracked and heavier like the CV9035NL. The German forces actually plan to replace all Marders in the near future with the Puma, which is a lot like the CV90 family of vehicles.
For the NATO module you will find only a small number of CV9035NLs but a much bigger number of the YPR-765-PRI in the Dutch formations. This is done to reflect the situation in the time period where the game is set.
The Marder will be presented in two variants, the A3 (lower quality settings) and the A5, the latter having added anti-mine protection. There will also be Marders with mounted MILANs and others without them.
With the NATO module the player will be able to experience all these differences and nuances. He will need to use different tactics for German, Dutch or Canadian forces to take advantage of the strengths of each of them. Official game website: http://www.battlefront.com/nato
(for an online version of this content including screenshot, please visit: http://www.battlefront.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=258&Itemid=423)