It’s time for one of these topics again I fear. Writing them never makes me happy because it means that once more, France’s ground tree seems to be in a state where Gaijin itself doesn’t actually know what they’re doing with it.
Now, usually I only write these after a patch release, but seeing as how “The ninth wave” has no ground (or air for that matter) content for France, there’s no need to wait, so let’s get right into it!
Issue 1: The 6.3 - 8.7 SPAA gap
This one in particular is one that has annoyed me for a very very long time. France has some of their finest lineups in this exact BR range, and unfortunately, there isn’t a single SPAA system to fend off the pesky planes that rule the skies at this BR. Arguably the gap is even from 5.7 as the AMX-10P is an SPAA only by Gaijin’s designation.
As per usual however, the absence of content is not because of absence of choice. France has developed a multitude of SPAA systems that could easily help plug this gap. (I’m gonna literally copy-paste the options from my own post written in September 2023, that’s how old this problem is)
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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
Issue 2: The absence of more wheeled tank-destroyers:
While it has by now become basically the identifying trait of the Italian tree, wheeled vehicles with large main guns have almost always been a key part of France’s military doctrine. We have some of them in-game already (AML-90, AMX-10RC, VEXTRA 105), but so many more exist. Some of the ones I will suggest here have been mass-produced, some are useful prototypes, but all of them would be fun vehicles. Armoured vehicles like this are usually fan-favourites and would bring more users to the tree.
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The ERC-90 Sagaie
One of the most iconic and recognizable wheeled tank destroyers that France has developed and serviced. This 8.3 ton vehicle is propelled by a 145 to 155hp engine giving it a power-to-weight ratio of 18.7. Not ideal but not terrible either. The vehicles were later upgraded with a 187hp diesel engine (thus creating the ERC-90D variant), upping the ratio to a respectable 22.5. The turret is already known to us as it is also present on the MARS-15 (a much more obscure vehicle than this one, not sure why the MARS was added instead of this). This should be a very fun vehicle for the 8.3-8.7 lineups, and should draw the attention of France enthusiasts as well as others. -
VEXTRA POLE
A testbed vehicle designed to trial a 120mm gun on the Vextra chassis. While it definitely doesn’t look finished, footage does confirm that it was functional and could fire its gun. The combination of highly mobile chassis with a 120mm gun results in a vehicle that resembles the Italian Centauro. This should be a very potent and fun addition to the highest ranks of the French tech tree. -
AMX-10RC (TML Late)
A variant of the AMX-10RC. This testbed vehicle features a further development of the TML turret. Biggest difference between this and the standard one is the presence of a stabilization system. Other features remain unchanged, but given that the AMX-10RC is already an enjoyable platform at 8.3, I wouldn’t be surprised to see this come in at 9.0-9.3. -
RPX-90 (MARS F4)
And finally, a very cool vehicle to close this issue off. The RPX-90 is a relatively small armoured car with good mobility. It has been developed into many interesting variants, but the MARS F4 stands out. This one features a low profile turret with a 90mm F4 cannon (the same as on the Sagaie). This should be a very ratty vehicle and hopefully one people will enjoy and grind for.
Issue 3: The absence of useful copy-paste
France in ww2 and even in the immediate post-war period, was a significant user of foreign equipment. Some of these variants are already in-game and could provide Gaijin with a very easy copy-paste solution to an empty patch, especially since many of them still provide filling for gaps that can’t be filled with domestic vehicles.
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M24 Chaffee
France was the second largest user of the M24, with some 1500 at some point in service with the French armed forces. Yet we don’t have this tank in the French tech tree. On top of that, it’s a 3.7 vehicle in-game, a battle rating at which France can currently field a measly 2 vehicle lineup. The M24 would make this BR vastly more enjoyable for new players to progress through.
Bonus: France created a version with the AML-90s 90mm gun. -
M47 Patton
The M47 Patton is another US built vehicle that France operated in large numbers. They even had a somewhat unique variant with the Patton Niveleur (M47 with a dozer blade, as imaged above). This iconic tank could come in either form and help to reinforce the currently deplorable 7.3 lineup.
As a bonus, France also developed a version featuring the 105mm gun of the AMX-30. -
Crusader III (Late)
A minimal effort job for Gaijin that could benefit both the UK and France. This is the final variant of the Crusader III tank, featuring improved armour and a better gun. France was an operator of this type, and given that it would likely sit at 3.3-3.7, it would be another very welcome addition to fill lineups.
The absence of more domestic MBTs
As of late, the French tree has had to suffer the addition of the BeNeLux “subtree”, not as much a subtree as a hardly veiled opportunity for Gaijin to copy-paste a bunch of Leopards and call it a day. France still has options for top-tier and below MBTs that would make for very nice additions to the game.
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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. -
More AMX-30 versions:
We already have a bunch of AMX-30s, but more still are available. Especially France’s experimentation with creating stabilized AMX-30s is hardly recoginized. The AMX-30C2 imaged above is one of the options, alongside others such as the AMX-30 SAMM. Foreign powers such as Venezuela have also produced interesting version of this widely produced tank. All of these could help fill out the 9.0-9.3 range and establish more of an identity for the French tree in these ranks. -
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 4: Where are the IFVs and Rats?
A large part of gameplay these days has to do with quick support vehicles armed with autocannons. Currently France gets the AMX-10P at 6.3 and the VBCI is the next one at 9.3. The Jaguar finishes the whole list of researchables at 11.0, with the VBCI-2 MCT-30 being the final and fourth one, but also being premium. France has developed many options that could fill this gap, so where are they?
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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.
Final note:
This is where I will leave it for now, I can think of more issues that can be solved, but there’s only so much I should put in the post already. I would love to here all your ideas on what the French tree needs, as well as possible alternatives for the suggestions that I have already presented.
Let’s do our best to put the French tree back on the right tracks so that we can have an enjoyable future in this game.
