Hello, I noticed most top tier minor nations (italy, france, japan) lack he rounds for their top tier MBTs, why is that? I see from this list of 120x570mm rounds that france specifically has a couple of its own. This can help these nations deal with light vehicles like their counterparts.
I do not really see how this would upset game balance in any way 120×570mm NATO - Wikipedia
OE 120 F1 has been reported and accepted. Gaijin is just dawdling, as usual.
Haven’t seen any evidence that Type 10 and Ariete ever used HE shells.
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Ill admit first that I have no idea whenever what you said is correct, but i imagine both italy and japan didnt build their MBTs SOLELY for purpose of fighting other MBTs.
Yes, which is why they have DM/JM12A1 rounds. They were multipurpose rounds designed to be effective against armoured targets, bunkers, lightly armoured vehicles, and exposed infantry, although their blast effect is less than HE rounds of the same calibre (and HEAT overpressure in War Thunder is extremely quirky).
The DM 12 was developed as a multi-purpose grenade and is intended to be used not only against armored targets but also against unarmored targets, field fortifications, and living forces. The grenade contains a shaped charge for penetrating armored targets. A modified shell casing provides enhanced fragmentation upon detonation in addition to the actual shaped charge effect. Its penetration against armored targets is said to be up to 220 mm at a 60-degree impact angle. At a 90-degree impact angle, it penetrates approximately 450 mm of spaced armor, depending on the ceramic content of the armor. A penetration depth of approximately 700 mm is possible with homogeneous armor steel. However, the combination of shaped charge and fragmentation projectile is a compromise. Its performance against unarmored targets, field fortifications, and living forces is significantly lower than that of a conventional fragmentation grenade such as the Russian 125 mm HE-FRAG OF-26. Therefore, some armed forces have already introduced the new HE grenade DM 11, which is also planned for the Bundeswehr.
—Das Panzerdetail - Munition der 120 mm Kanone von Rheinmetall (Google Translated)
The M830 HEAT-MP-T, 120-mm cartridge is a direct translation of the German DM12A1 round … having both antiarmor and antipersonnel capabilities.
—TM 43-0001-28, page 2-115
No DM11 equivalent?
Like I said earlier: none that I know of.
There’re lots of NATO HE rounds out there but there’s been no real push to adopt them. The last time I heard about the purchase of HE was when Spain brought Israeli M339 rounds for their Leopard 2E back in 2022.
Regarding the DM11 itself, being a STANAG 4385 compliant tank gun doesn’t necessarily allow the usage of the DM11. It’s a programmable round, so it requires the programming kit upgrade. AFAIK the only non-Leopard 2 operator that ever used the DM11 was the US Marine Corps.
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