Two Extra Battlegroups

Hello all!

In last week’s DevBlog, we mentioned that two new, extra free-for-all Divisions would make their way to WARNO. In today’s post, we’ll take a good look at both battlegroups.

On NATO’s side, not entirely unexpected but a welcome addition nonetheless, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment will become available!

For the Warsaw Pact, the armored and heavy-hitting 119-y Odtelniy Tankoviy Polk, also known as the 119th Independent Tank Regiment, will make its debut!

So, what can you expect?

Two new divisions

The two new divisions coming to WARNO will be playable in Skirmish or Multiplayer and give you eager beavers a fresh choice on the battlefield. We mentioned last week that these divisions will not feature any new unit models. That is not entirely true: one new unit, unused from our Army General campaign, will be included. What’s more, we will also introduce several new variants of existing equipment. Each battlegroup will also feature its tailor-made slot allocation in each category (Recon, Infantry, Artillery, etc.).

A final note: the source of these two WARNO divisions are regiments or brigade-size formations. To ensure both have a full complement of interesting military hardware, we have detached elements from other divisions to beef up both battlegroups’ Table of Organization & Equipment. More on that further below.

The 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment

Anybody familiar with the Cold War, and NATO in West Germany, will be aware of the 11th Armored Cavalry “Black Horse” Regiment’s combat role during any conventionally fought World War III. Forward deployed and providing overwatch on the Inner German Border, the various squadrons of this regiment would fight a most-important delaying action near Fulda, Bad Hersfeld, and Bad Kissingen. During a full-scale Soviet invasion, no one was under any false impression: life expectancy in the regiment was counted in hours, and the formation’s screening mission a sacrificial one.

Deployed almost completely by itself along the Inner German Border, the regiment was a unique mechanized force. It featured a substantial amount of tanks and even had its organic air cavalry squadron made up of helicopter support. The “Blackhorse’s” wartime mission was to delay any attacking enemy long enough for fresh NATO reinforcements to mobilize and counterattack - even if it meant dying (calling that a “successful fail”).

In real life, as in our war scenarios, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment wasn’t fighting entirely on its own. The 3rd Armored Division was the formation nearest to the regiment’s squadrons. Next to that, each of NATO’s main divisions close to the border would forward deploy one of their battalions. They would protect their parent division and provide critical support to the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment’s squadrons scattered along the frontline.

These forces include:

• Bundeswehr’s 5. Panzerdivision's Panzergrenadier-Bataillon 152 consisting of Marder-transported infantry.
• Bundeswehr’s 12. Panzerdivision's Panzerartillerie-Bataillon 135 bringing M109A3G self-propelled artillery.
• U.S. Army’s 8th Infantry Division's 1-68th Armor featuring M1A1 tanks and M113-mounted mechanized infantry.
• U.S. Army’s 130th Engineer Brigade's 54th Engineer Battalion deploying engineers and M728 combat engineer vehicles.
• U.S. Army’s 32nd Air Defense Group's 3-52nd Air Defense Artillery with its I-Hawks.
• Bundeswehr’s Heimatschutzen and local BGS (Bundesgrenzschutz or Federal Border Guards)

The 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in WARNO

To better reflect the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment’s smaller size, as well as its strengths and weaknesses, we have given the battlegroup extra unit choices from the other formations deployed in support.

In WARNO, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment’s main features are:

• REC will be the battlegroup’s best category. The 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment was an entire regiment geared for reconnaissance, and it shows in-game. The category will have its full range of slots unlocked, all being cheap. Plus lots of choices, such as:
  • U.S. Army SCOUTS and LRS, backed by German BGS.
  • These are supported by American BRADLEY CFV and HUMVEE AGL, as well as West German GREEN ARCHER recon radar.
  • Heli-based recon units include OH-58C SCOUT and OH-58D KIOWA WARRIOR light rotorcraft.
  • This division’s main feature will be the new M1A1 ACAV tank, also known as the “recon M1A1”. This heavy tank features Good optics and can be forward deployed, like other recon, while also featuring a brand-new skin. This impressive armor is limited to 1 tank per card, meaning that they occupy one slot each.

• The TNK category also features a good balance between availability and price. Options are fewer, though, with M1A1 in both standard and as a Command Vehicle (CV) plus a handful of M728 combat engineer vehicles and West German JAGUAR 2.
  
• Thanks to the make-up of 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, the formation could depend on its own sizable organic helicopter support, which we recreated in the HELO category. While the regiment had priority over the most modern ground equipment, as seen with the latest versions of the Bradley and Abrams tanks, this wasn’t the case with its gunships.
  • Instead of the Apache, the battlegroup can only count on the older AH-1F COBRA and TOW COBRAvariants.
  • The new C-NITE (Cobra-Night Imaging Thermal Equipment) does make its appearance. With the introduction of the Apache attack helicopters and Hellfire missiles, it wasn’t deemed a priority to upgrade older AH-1F Cobras to more modern TOW-2 standards (even though this option did exist for export versions, including Japanese or South Korean variants). Starting in 1988, some Cobras were nonetheless upgraded with the C-NITE package, allowing the venerable attack helicopters to fire the TOW-2 anti-tank missiles. The new AH-1F C-NITE variant has 4x TOW-2 missiles, 2x 19-round rocket pods, and the onboard nose cannon. It will also receive 10% ECM and an 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment-specific camouflage paint job.

• The LOG category is very cramped, with only a handful of slots, all being very pricey. There are several options for supply vehicles, either American or West German.
  
• INF is in the same place, with expensive slot availability. Choices are a bit more varied, though.
  • Most of the combat soldiers come in a single card each: MECH. RIFLES (LAW) in M113 APCs, AERO-RIFLES, PZ.GRENADIER in Marder IFVs, HEIMATSCHUTZEN, as well as HMG and ATGM teams.
  • A new unit to the Black Horse battlegroup is the DISMOUNT. TROOPERS. The regiment didn’t have infantry squads, only 2-man scout teams. To reflect the reality on the ground, three of these teams have been merged to form a new combat squad, fielding 3x M16A2, 3x M249 SAW, and an AT-4. These soldiers were originally trained in reconnaissance, so they will receive the Security trait.

• AA is not the regiment’s strong point, with a medium amount of slots, quickly ramping in price. Only STINGER teams, PIVADS, and the heliborne OH-58C/S are available. The West Germans contribute some FLIEGERFAUST, while one card of I-HAWK provides a bit more punch.
  
• ART is in a similar place, with an identical slot availability. While choices are few, the units themselves are a bit stronger, with one card each of M106A2 and PANZERMÖRSER self-propelled mortars, and American and West German M109.
  
• AIR, on the other hand, is pretty strong with a focus on F-16 planes and A-10 close support aircraft, coming in a variety of flavors. Almost all load-outs are represented, except for napalm.

  Much like its Warsaw Pact counterpart, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment’s is a clear-cut battlegroup. Major strengths are in the REC, TNK, and HELO categories, but the division lacks in INF, ART, and AA.
  

119-y Odtelniy Tankoviy Polk

Next up is the Soviet 119-y Odtelniy Tankoviy Polk, or in plain English, the 119th Independent Tank Regiment (the designation we’ll be using in the rest of this DevBlog).
Information about this particular unit is scarce, but we managed to do enough research - helped by the community along the way - to fill in the gaps. The 119th Independent Tank Regiment was stationed in Bad Langensalza as part of the Soviet 8th Guards Army, the one spearheading the invasion across the Fulda Gap.

Independent tank regiments in the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany (GSFG) served as exploitation formations, advancing deep into the enemy’s operational rear once a breakthrough had been made. They would also serve to provide replacements or reinforcements to first-echelon divisions. As such, the 119th Independent Tank Regiment (second echelon) can be seen as closely aligned to the 79th Guards Tank Division (first echelon).

The 119th Independent Tank Regiment actually showcases one of our (minor) deviations from real-life history, to ensure their in-game role is as exciting as possible while also addressing some community feedback.

A new perspective
In real-life, with the decline of the Soviet Army and the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the role of independent tank regiments became obsolete in the latter part of the 1980s. These formations were downgraded to Motor Rifle Regiments, and many were disbanded soon after. Nothing of the sort will happen in WARNO’s imagined lead-up to World War III.

Furthermore, of the most advanced tanks the Soviet Union could deploy in the latter part of the decade, the T-80U and tT-80UD was one of the latest models to see the light. Some players remarked that this particular variant was not deployed to the GSFG in East Germany, but rather held back in the USSR. As such, it could not be featured in-game in the 79th Guards Tank Division. This is true. In our version of WARNO, the 79th Guards Tank Division didn’t have an organic complement of T-80U but instead received them from the 119th Independent Tank Regiment.

In real-life:

• Early models of the T-80U (like ours) were only built in a very small number, 45 in total. These were used for testing in Ukraine. These tanks would have been sent to combat units in our war scenario.
• The T-80UD was built in larger numbers and posted to active units, but none in East Germany. Instead, they were positioned in the USSR.

Some upcoming changes
Now for our proposed changes. In our updated WARNO timeline, the following happens. The 119th Independent Tank Regiment is designated the 8th Guards Army armored fist for the intended breakthrough operations around Fulda at the start of the war. After other formations have breached the frontline, the regiment would rush through. This means the battlegroup receives T-80U plus the T-80UD tanks. This armored reserve will also be featured as such in our upcoming Army General campaigns, where the regiment will form the core of a smaller Manoeuver Group at the disposal of the 8th Guards Army.

By separating the T-80B and T-80U, the new battlegroup will allow us to correct the perceived mistake of the forward-deployed T-80U and, at the same time, create two new versions of the archetypical Soviet armored division. So what does this mean in WARNO?

• The T-80U and T-80UD will be removed from the 79th Guards Tank Division and made available only to the upcoming 119th Independent Tank Regiment.
• The 79th Guards Tank Division’s armor will now chiefly be composed of T-80B and T-80BV tanks.
• The new 119th Independent Tank Regiment will not have any T-80B, save for a handful of T-80BVK as there wasn’t a specific command version of the T-80U at the time.

A Soviet independent tank regiment would also have little infantry of its own. In theory, just a single battalion, but in the 119th Independent Tank Regiment’s case, it could only count on one oversized company. That’s why the 8th Guards Army has detached several additional formations to bolster the battlegroup in the field. These include elements from:

• The 21st Independent Flame Battalion, with combat engineers (providing most of the new battlegroup’s infantry) plus TO-55 flamethrowing tanks.
• The 93rd Anti-Tank Regiment bringing BRDM-2 Konkurs, and Rapira anti-tank guns.
• Either the 336th or 486th Separate Helicopter Regiment fielding Mi-24.
• The 134th Separate Reconnaissance Battalion the 8th Guards Army HQ’s own ears and eyes.
• The 390th Cannon Artillery Brigade providing some of its towed heavy reserve artillery.

119th Independent Tank Regiment in WARNO

In WARNO, what can you expect from the 119th Independent Tank Regiment?

• Lots (and cheap) TNK slots with access to plenty of T-80U and T-80UD, as well as a handful of T-80BVK command tanks. Additional forces include TO-55 flamethrower tanks, BRDM-2 KONKURS and RAPIRA anti-tank guns.
• Not that much infantry is available in the INF category, with slots lacking and pricey. There is only a paltry single card of organic MOTOSTRELKI (BMP). Acting as actual cannon fodder are SAPERI (in command, regular and RPO variants), plus a handful of SPETSNAZ.
• Being a regiment, LOG suffers from a mediocre amount of choices and few open slots.
• ART is pretty average, with a medium of slots but few options. The battlegroup can deploy 2S1 GVOZDIKA, as well as 2B9 VASILEK automatic mortars. The more modern and new unit (from the Army General campign) 2A65 MSTA-B 152mm howitzer can also be fielded.
• With the 8th Guards Army’s own recon battalion at the regiment’s disposal, REC features plenty of cheap slots and multiple choices.
• AA is rather mediocre, with some good options, including the TUNGUNSKA, MT-LB STRELA-10, and IGLA teams, but no heavy or long-range SAM systems. There are only a limited amount of slots available.
• HELO forces are pretty strong, with plenty of Mi-24V and Mi-24VP.
• And lastly, AIR is decent with numerous open slots, all averagely priced. The modern MiG-29 and Su-27S fighters are both available, as well as Su-24M in SEAD, bomber and (new) LGB variant with 2x (1500kg - wowzers) KAB-1500Kr guided bombs. No cluster or ATGM loadout, however.

In summary, the 119th Independent Tank Regiment is a battlegroup with clear strengths and weaknesses, with powerful TANK, HELO, and AIR categories, but lacking in INF, LOG, and AA.

Some more revisions

The arrival of the two new divisions means some changes to our existing roster of battlegroups. These will mostly affect the Warsaw Pact’s 79th Guards Tank Division, but NATO’s 3rd Armored Division will also see a small revision.

The Soviet 79th Guards Tank Division will transfer its most modern armor, in the form of the T-80U and T-80UD, to the 119th Independent Tank Regiment. The number of remaining cards of T-80BV will be adjusted accordingly.

To make up for the loss of the latest T-80 models, two new units will find their way into the 79th Guards Tank Division.

• T-80BV Izd. 29, which here at Eugen we have come to call the “T-80BV Beast.” This particular model is a late-production T-80BV with a more powerful engine and a new tube-fired ATGM. It is 10 km/h faster than a T-80BV and can fire the much-improved Agona missile, which can also be found with the T-64. A brand-new model.
• SU-24M [CLU2]. This new load-out of the strike aircraft sees a heavy bombload of 8x 500kg RBK-500 cluster bombs (compared to the original 8x 250kg RBK-250 bombs). The plane, together with the SU-24M with LGBs found in the 119th Independent Tank Regiment, will also receive a new livery.
• The 79th Guards Tank Division will further benefit from the updated T-80B/BV models. As we revised and much improved the T-80U, T-55, and T-72 vehicles in-game, the T-80B and T-80BV are now done and will be soon implemented in-game.

For NATO, the 3rd Armored Division will lose its LRS. These recon squads were deployed to the Inner German Border. They will now be featured in the new 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment.

See you on the battlefield

That’s a whole bunch of new info to digest. We can’t wait to hear what you think!

Don’t forget to join the passionate WARNO community. Check the latest news on the Steam News page or visit the Steam Forums. Get together with other players on either the excellent Discord server, Reddit page, YouTube or our Instagram.

See you on the battlefield, commander.