Hello commanders,
Welcome back to a new WARNO - NORTHAG DevBlog (two in a week!). In today’s post, we’ll highlight the first Soviet division coming with WARNO’s very first major expansion. As we already mentioned, from now on, two DevBlogs every week will be posted!
As teased in the previous post, let’s take a look today at the armor-heavy Soviet 25-ya Tank. Diviziya or 25th Tank Division. Note that all divisions are being tested and tweaked as we speak, so they are still work-in-progress!
Davai, davai! Go, go, go!
The Soviet 25th Tank Division
The Warsaw Pact’s 25th Tank Division sees the light just after the end of World War II through a reorganization of the 25th Tank Corps, which had ended the war in Hungary. By May 1947, the formation had left for garrison duty in Soviet-occupied Germany, where it would remain for the duration of the Cold War. In 1958, the division was converted to the 25th Heavy Tank Division before reverting to its original name (and role) in 1967.
Its home base was Vogelsang, an East German town on the Polish border. The 25th Tank Division formed part of the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany’s 20th Guards Combined Arms Army.
Being stationed near the Polish frontier, the 20th Guards Combined Arms Army would have been a follow-up formation used as an exploitation force on the front. In this role, we have decided to use this army (and the 25th Tank Division) as the spearhead into the North Germain Plains, taking advantage of any breakthrough made by other forces in West Germany during World War III.
The 25th Tank Division Detailed
One of the reasons for the inclusion of the 25th Tank Division into WARNO - NORTHAG is that - unlike other currently featured Soviet divisions - it is fully equipped with T-64 main battle tanks.
The second part is to be found in the division’s unique Table of Organization & Equipment. Instead of the usual three tank regiments and one infantry, the standard structure for a Soviet tank division, the 25th Tank Division fielded four tank regiments and no infantry one! Note, this doesn’t mean it can’t deploy any motorized riflemen squads, as each tank regiment had its own organic infantry battalion. As you might expect from this division in WARNO, the number of infantry will be limited, and the number of tanks will - of course - be boosted!
The 25th Tank Division in WARNO - NORTHAG
So how does the Soviet 25th Tank Division look like in WARNO - NORTHAG?
LOG
- Only average amount of slots and units with little in the way of a big logistical base.
- Command units include BMP-1K3 and BMP-2K command vehicle, plus MI-9 CV helo.
- A FOB can be deployed during the Deployment Phase, backed by URAL-4320 supply trucks, KRAZ 225B heavy haulers and Mi-8MT supply helicopters.
INF
- Not the strongest category in terms of slots and availability due to the battlegroup's heavy tank focus and lack of infantry formations.
- The 25th Tank Division can access the same range of infantry units as comparable divisions, but can deploy noticeably fewer of them. These include the usual number of MOTOSTRELKI and PLUMETCHIKI squads (only transportable in BMP) plus SAPERI (in the trusty MT-LB) with command variants being borne by the new MAV amphibious jeep.
- Supporting infantry weapon teams (ATGM, heavy machine guns, MPs, etc.) will only be available in small numbers.
ART
- The divisional artillery includes the usual complement of towed 2S12 120mm mortars, 2S1 GVOZDIKA and 2S3M AKATSIYA self-propelled guns and the BM-21 GRAD.
- As a tank division in the lead of the attack, it will receive some heavy self-propelled guns from the 34th Artillery Division. These come as (brand-new and popularly requested) 2S19 MSTA-S 152mm self-propelled gun, featuring armor protection and capable of a direct fire role.
TNK
- As expected, this very generous category will be well stocked with a full array of T-64B (including new variants BK, B1 and the regular B variant) plus the T-64BV (BVK, new BV1 and BV). The “K” versions being command variants, and the “1” denoting the lack of tube-launched ATGMs.
- We also kept a single card of the older T-64A Obr. 83 which is basically a B1 with a less capable fire control system. This means less range, less accuracy and worse stabilizer, but equally important, much cheaper!
RECO
- The division relies mostly on its own scouts for its ears and eyes on the battlefield.
- The usual BRDM-2, BRM-1, RAZVEDKA and MOT. RAZVEDKA plus Mi-24K can deploy.
- A welcome addition will be the new SCHMEL-1 UAV.
AA
- A standard category with the regular complement of IGLA MANPAD teams, BRDM-2 STRELA, KUB SAM and BIRYUSA.
- The 25th Tank Division hadn’t yet received its TUNGUSKA units, meaning no modern SPAAGs of this type for the battlegroup.
HELO
- The battlegroup has a decent roster of combat rotorcraft (plus slots) at its disposal.
- The usual suspects can be found, including Mi-8T [RKT], Mi-8MT [GUV] and Mi-24V in AA, rocket, and AT roles.
AIR
- Air support for the 25th Tank Division is fairly good with a fine selection of Su-25 close air support planes, MiG-29 and Su-27S fighters, and even a SEAD-dedicated MiG-27K.
The 25th Tank Division is the Soviet tip of the spear, heavily focused on using its armor superiority during exploitation operations. Thanks to its unique organization, it only has limited infantry, average logistics, and AA units, but it counteracts this with good air, artillery, and combat helicopter support.
NORTHAG Expansion Explained
In case you missed the news: WARNO - NORTHAG is the first major expansion coming to WARNO, and takes World War III to the North German Plains, where the attacking Warsaw Pact needs to overcome the staunch defenses of NATO’s NORTHAG. Under British command, Belgian, Dutch, West German, and American forces battle against the powerful northern formations of the Soviet Group of Forces in Germany, including East German and reinforcing Polish armies. The release is planned for later in 2024.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2978620/WARNO__NORTHAG/
WARNO - NORTHAG will feature:
- 2 new Army General campaigns.
- 4 new Operations.
- 4 new Maps.
- 10 new Divisions, including new nations Belgium, the Netherlands, and Poland.
- 3 new playable nations: NATO’s Belgium and the Netherlands, and Warsaw Pact’s Poland.
- New voice acting.
- New units and models.
We have started detailing each of WARNO - NORTHAG’s features. Check the list below!
- In the very first DevBlog, highlighting Division #1, we show off the Belgian 16e Pantserdivisie going to war with powerhouse cousin Luxembourg. Read more about the new battlegroup in this dedicated post.
Until Next Time
That’s it for this round of DevBlogs. We’ll be back next week with Division #3 featuring NATO’s Dutch 4e Divisie!
Join the 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.