Another patch and again we see little to no improvement in how the French tree is being treated in-game.
Last time we got nothing, this time we got some Trojan horses. No matter how you look at it, the Final in-service battleship of France being a pack premium, another Leopard (which is missing its historical ammo) and a premium F-16 cannot be called a happy outcome for a patch. Not to mention that a historically relevant and unique Belgian ship ended up in the German tree.
It’s gonna be a long one as I’m gonna try to give even more suggestions than usual, so let’s try once again to highlight some of the key gaps in the French tree and give some ideas that Gaijin can work with! Some of these should be genuinely easy to add, so there’s no excuses not to do so.
Issue 1: the absence of more domestic MBTs
Still a very relevant topic even after the addition of the new Leopard. I wish to highlight this in particular because simply copying a vehicle from the German tech tree might “close a gap”, but it also shows a lack of effort in finding more original alternatives. France has those alternatives and they wouldn’t even take that much effort to add.
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More AMX-40 versions:
The AMX-40 that we have in game represents the P4 prototype of this vehicle, besides this, there was also P1-3 and pre-production models P01 and P02. These feature a variety of engines as well as slightly different turrets to set them apart from each other. Adding any of these could significantly bolster the 9.7 - 10.0 lineup. They can be played together as well as giving a basis on which to use the premium Leopard 2 and squadron CV9035. -
The AMX-30C2:
We already have a bunch of AMX-30s, but more still are available. Especially France’s experiments with creating stabilized AMX-30s are hardly recognized. The AMX-30C2 imaged above is one of the options. Ideally this would have been the solution to the 9.3 gap that a Leopard was now pasted in. -
The AMX-30 SAMM:
A very early French attempt to equip the AMX-30 with a gun stabilizer. This vehicle was made in 1969 and thus predates modernizations such as the B2 standard. This is basically the base AMX-30 we know and love in-game but with a stab. Doesn’t have APFSDS though. Could be a great addition for the 8.3 lineup, which is rather lackluster nowadays. -
The AMX-30 Valorisé:
Another AMX-30 variant, this one was one of the precursors of the B2 modernization program. The proposed standard of the Valorisé was deemed to expensive, which lead to the adoption of the more modest B2. The Valorisé featured a new 120mm main gun and a gun stabilizer. This would be another great addition for the 9.3 lineup. (I’m not saying 9.7 as it seems to lack thermals and didn’t get an improved engine like the Super) -
The EMBT
A Franco-German cooperation to develop the next generation of MBTs. While the latest prototypes have been very advanced and experimental, the origins of the project were a lot more modest. To see if the nations could cooperate, a Leopard chassis was combined with a Leclerc turret. This is a fun and unique vehicle that could add diversity to both the German and French top tier lineups.
Issue 2: the SPAA gaps
The French tree features 3 distinct SPAA gaps which have a significant impact on the value of the lineups that fall within the gap. Most prominent is the 6.3 to 8.7 gap that plagues the upper mid tiers. Just as France had experimented a lot with tanks in this early stage of the cold war, it did with SPAA as well, leaving us with plenty of options to choose from. It’s kind of ridiculous, but in 2026, I can still copy the contents of a post I made in 2023, and it’s still fully relevant
- Panhard M3 VDAA
An SPAA based on Panhard’s AML chassis. It features the TA20 turret, which has 2x 20mm cannons as well as a smaller coaxial machine gun. The vehicle could optionally be outfitted with a radar but has just as often been seen without, giving Gaijin exceptional flexibility when it comes to adding this vehicle. - AML S530
A twin 20mm SPAA based on the AML chassis that we already have in-game from the AML-90. The vehicle has no radar and is armed with 2x GIAT industries M621 20mm autocannons with a rate-of-fire of 740 rounds/minute/barrel. - AMX-13 TA25
This is an SPAA system based on the AMX-13 chassis. While the AMX-13 chassis is also available with both the aforementioned TA20 and S530 turrets, it could additionally be equipped with the TA25 turret. This is a variant of the TA20 that swaps out the 20mm guns for more potent 25mm guns. If implemented with radar, it would probably sit at the high end of our gap at 7.7-8.3 - AMX-13 S533
Another AMX-13 based SPAA system. This turret is a further evolution of the S530 turret, featuring a lowered profile and HS820 20mm autocannons, an improvement over the M621 of the S530. Just like the AMX-13 based SPAA before and after this one, it should be a relatively easy implementation as the chassis is already in-game. I believe that this vehicle could sit between 6.3 and 7.0 since it has no radar but does feature a protected crew and 2 fast-firing autocannons. - AMX-13 DCA (prototype)
The prototype of the AMX-13 DCA. This turret is the direct predecessor to the one we see on the AMX-30 DCA. This turret was in fact first mounted onto AMX-13s as the AMX-13 DCA. The production version also had the radar equipment that we are familiar with, but this was lacking from the prototype, making it a very good options for an SPAA at 8.3. The chassis is already in-game and the turret model almost is. Should be a very easy addition for Gaijin
Another gap exists at low tier between BRs 3.0 and 5.0, another gap that stretches 2 brs. This one is admittedly harder to fill, but definitely not impossible.
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The Renault TRM 2000 53T2 Tarasque:
A simple 4x4 truck with a single barrel 20mm anti-air cannon on the bed. This thing should behave very similar to the South African Ystervark, and will probably end up right in the middle of the gap at 4.0 -
The CCKW 353 P512
A very odd looking turret armed with 4x 20mm MG151s that’s strapped to the back of a truck. It should behave somewhat like a wheeled Wirbelwind, meaning that this thing too should end up in the 3.7 - 4.0 range. -
The AB320
A very small and very cute SPAA system developed by France in the early 1950s. It was designed to be airdropped, which explains its modest size. It is armed with 2x 20mm MG151 cannons in a fully traversable turret.
And finally, another gap that is 2.3 brs is size is the gap between the Roland and the Ito 90M. Between 9.7 and 12.0 France is now starting to get some lineups, but the Roland is really not that good an SPAA. So let’s have a look at some systems that could fit in 9.7 and above.
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The VAB TA23:
A variant of the VAB which is equipped with a gun & missile turret. This system combines 2x 23mm cannons with a battery of 6 Mistral missiles. This vehicle should be able to offer anti-air support against a wide variety of threats. In function it should be very close to the Gepard 1A2, so I think 9.7 would work for this vehicle. -
The Hotchkiss P4R with Crotale:
This vehicle is usually operated together with a dedicated radar vehicle, but it also comes equipped with its very own tracking radar and optical tracking equipment. It features a worse version of the Crotale missile than seen on the Ito 90M, which, combined with the lack of scanning radar, means that this vehicle should be able to sit at a lower BR. Personally, I think that 10.7 - 11.3 is fair for this vehicle.
Issue 3: the absence of varied support vehicles
Besides the standard repertoire of MBTs and light tanks, the French tech tree is also rather lacking in support vehicles of various nature. I’m talking about missile carriers, IFVs, armoured cars, … All of these would add extra variety to the gameplay and open up a bunch of new playstyles to players of the French tree. Making the tree as a whole more enjoyable.
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AMX 10M HOT
A variant of the AMX-10 chassis with a reworked turret to turn it into a more potent AFV. It retains the 20mm cannon, but also gets 2 missile launchers on the side of the turret to augment its firepower. A proper classic AFV then, which the French tree could very much benefit of having. -
AMX 10 TTB140
Another IFV based on the AMX 10 chassis, this time mounting the TTB140 turret. This turret features a powerful 40mm autocannon. This vehicle is essentially a contemporary to the CV9040 in both armament and technology. Thus it features a bunch of advanced systems that would make this quite a powerhouse of a support vehicle. -
AML Eclairage
Once again the chassis of the AML armoured car, but this time fitted with a multipurpose turret that came equipped with a 20mm autocannon and a MILAN missile launcher on top of that. This little guy has the ability to be a serious nuisance to the enemy, and half the vehicle is already modeled.
- VPX 5000 HOT:
A teeny tiny tracked chassis equipped with a quadruple missile launcher. This thing should play as a crossover between the Wiesel and the MEPHISTO. Both are loved vehicles, so this one should also offer a great deal of fun to players.
- The AMX-13 PRAT:
Yes, I will actually sneak a Dutch vehicle into this list, as it makes for a perfect addition to the French tree. This an AMX VTT chassis (the IFV version of the AMX-13) with a TOW missile launcher mounted to it. It’s essentially a smaller version of the M113 missile shoeboxes, which should allow for some decent tomfoolery.
Issue 4: missing iconic vehicles:
The French tree is also still missing some of its most iconic vehicles. It’s almost unthinkable that after all this time, these have still not made it to the tree. These are the types of vehicles that don’t even really need to be good, their hype alone carries them.
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The ERC-90 Sagaie:
The successor of the wildly popular AML-90. This wheeled tank destroyer combines a high pressure 90mm cannon with a mobile wheeled chassis to form a truly iconic French vehicle. In role it is similar to the MARS-15, but it is instead, wheeled. How Gaijin decided to go with the MARS-15 for the tech tree instead of this is a bit of a mystery to me, but it does not take away from the anticipation of finally seeing this beauty in-game. -
The AMX-13 105 (1958):
A vehicle promised to us ages ago but never delivered. This is the well-known AMX-13 chassis with a new turret on top that carries a 105mm autoloading cannon. The 1958 version was a bit of an export success, eventually also ending up in Dutch service. This essentially gives the French tech tree double the reason to see this vehicle in-game
Side note: another version of the AMX-13 105 was built in 1987 and it featured a laser rangefinder, commander gunner override and APFSDS ammunition. -
The AMX-13 DCA:
The production version of the AMX-13 DCA which does feature a radar. This vehicle entered full production and some 60 of these were in service with the French army (unlike the AMX-30S DCA). Given the worse mobility of the AMX-13 chassis, this could now come in at 8.3 to support the lineup there. -
The Laffly W15 TCC:
We’re going back in time for this one. The Laffly W15 TCC is a French wheeled tank destroyer from world war 2. It combines the potent 47mm SA37 gun with a wheeled chassis. This was an emergency design, but more than 70 of these were built. They also proved to be very efficient, becoming some of the most capable anti-tank vehicles fielded by France in its defense.
Bonus: Premium pack suggestion:
France also lacks a nice combined vehicle pack, due to their early defeat in WW2 and subsequent use of lend-lease vehicles by the Free French forces. This is a bit of a missed opportunity for players who wish to spend some money. My suggestion here is a duo pack of an AMX-30B2 and AMX-10RC of operation Daguet (French name for Desert Storm). Both could come with typical camos and netting possibly, but also, both vehicles in this conflict could be outfitted with a soft-kill active protection system (present on both images). This makes the vehicles unique both in looks and functionality
Final note:
I’m only cutting off the post because I fear it’s just becoming too long. There’s so many more options, so many more iconic vehicles, so many more of everything. The French tree is nowhere near being done. We just need Gaijin to realize its potential. Believe it or not, even the BeNeLux still offer some actually unique designs that could benefit the tree. We need the tree to feel unique again, to have its own identity, and the only way to do that is to start adding French things in the French tree again.
I’m also more than curious to see all your own suggestions in the comment section! Remember, the more stuff we post, the more interaction, and the more likely Gaijin will take note of us. The last thing we need to do is be quiet and take it.
