Because Thailand alone, while being a help, still leaves Japan leagues behind nations such as Britain or France in terms of future potential.
With other countries also going for regional / themed multi-nation subtrees (e.g. Commonwealth, BeNeLux, Nordic) it’s rather likely that something similar is done for Japan. And the only well received and coherent group of nations for that role would be founding ASEAN nations, which is more reasonable than a whole ASEAN tree but still gives all represented nations a common theme.
Yeah as much as I want to see ASEAN for Japan, I don’t think we have evidence right now to confirm that it will go to Japan, though Thailand seems to be secure
The leaked Indonesian and Singaporean equipment was initially leaked for Japan. A later leak then showed that Gaijin changed their plans towards adding them to China (possibly alongside ASEAN).
With how badly that idea was received Gaijin scrapped their Squadron SG Leopard 2A4, likely meant to test players reception similar to the Thai F-5. Now it’s actually likely they revert back to their original plan.
For now I don’t think there is such a thing. My guess is:
Thailand; Basically guaranteed with the existing Thai vehicles
Singapore / Indonesia; Likely if they respond to player feedback and revert their plans
Other ASEAN nations; Possible since they were mentioned as possibility in the leak, Malaysia and Philippines being most likely for the “founding ASEAN members” group that is basically the “western” half of ASEAN and recently suggested. I also doubt nations like Myanmar, Cambodia or Laos would be added to Japan and this is a convenient way to explain the split for Gaijin.
As much as im hoping it’s stuff going to japan, has there been any decryptions made about these white squares? the country Tag is longer than ISR so it cant be anything with I so maybe its actually POL ))))