We are happy to announce that the Update 0.120 is now available!
List of Update 0.120 Changes
Europe’s Edge Battle Path
We are rolling out a new Battle Path featuring a lot of exciting content, including the following prizes:
KF51 Tier 10 Premium MBT
AjaxTier 10 Premium AFV
Leopard Cockerill Tier 8 Premium LT
Epic skins
Numerous camouflages
And much more! The prizes can be explored in this article and you can read about the entire Battle Path in our dedicated article. Connected to the topic are also the changes on the content you might have seen already:
Ajax: Vehicle now has the correct dark green color
Ajax: Added a passive (always active) ability that significantly increases the camouflage penalty for firing weapons for all enemies within 200 meters (the active ability described in the article stays)
Leopard Cockerill: Performance adjusted as per the earlier article (yes, Harimau too)
Leopard Cockerill: Vehicle now has the correct dark green color
Leopard 2A4CZ skin: Corrected the base color of the skin
KF51 Panther: Removed the programmable HE ammunition (the tank was performing well without it)
T-72M1 Wittmann skin: Mantlet now has the correct brown color
T-72M1 Wittmann skin: Radiation liner no longer incorrectly appears on the turret
However, there are some known issues:
Battle Path chain missions have incorrect icons
Centauro 155 is temporarily disabled
These will be fixed as soon as possible.
Vehicle Fixes and Updates
With each patch we continue (and will continue) to update vehicles based on your feedback and fix them. In this update, we have the following changes for you:
2S1 Gvozdika: Fixed the smoke generator smoke placement
AS90: Fixed several smaller visual issues
Boxer CRV: Fixed several camouflage issues (camouflaged missiles etc.)
Boxer CRV: Commander optics module now visually appears damaged in damaged state
Boxer CRV: ATGM launcher now appears correctly
Boxer CRV: Fixed that one missing smoke grenade on the turret
Boxer CRV: ERA color no longer differs from the rest of the vehicle
Boxer CRV: Shells no longer use the Gatling visual effect and appear the same as on other similar vehicles
Boxer RIWP: Javelin missiles no longer fly from the autocannon
Boxer RIWP: Fixed the driver optics appearance
Boxer RIWP: Fixed the dirt appearance on various lower settings
Boxer RIWP: Fixed several camouflage issues (camouflaged missiles etc.)
Boxer RIWP: Fixed the broken track visual appearance
ERC 90 F4: Removed the incorrect “Libereté” inscription from the République skin
Griffin 50mm: Smaller adjustments to the Tacticam skin
Harimau: Added HEAT ammunition
Harimau: Improved the reload time inside the magazine to 1.5s
KF41 Lynx Prototype: Fixed a smaller camouflage issue
Khrizantema-S: Fixed the launcher animations (launcher no longer sinks into the hull under certain circumstances)
M60A1: ERA now appears as ERA in the Armor Inspector window (earlier the modules were listed a steel plates despite working correctly as ERA)
M108: Fixed the smoke generator smoke placement
M109: Fixed the smoke generator smoke placement
M109A6 Paladin: Fixed the smoke generator smoke placement
M109A6 Paladin: Improved Shock Absorbers and engine modules returned to the tech tree
M109A6 Paladin: Renamed the HEAT shell for improved consistency
Panzerhaubitze 2000: Vehicle can now carry 60 rounds in total
Panzerhaubitze 2000: HEAT round now correctly has 25% bonus module damage
Puma: Fixed the smoke grenade launcher textures
Puma: Fixed the appearance of destroyed wheels on lower settings
ZTZ-20: Fixed one ERA element that was extra shiny on lower graphics settings
ZTZ-20: Fixed an issue where ERA elements would appear as destroyed when destroying APS
But we’re only getting started. The next update will bring more fixes and improvements to existing content.
Rate of Decay Special Operation
While working on a new Special Operation, we aren’t forgetting to fix smaller issues in the current one:
Fixed an issue that caused players to lose connection after killing several bots (this isn’t a common occurrence, which is why it was hard to track, but it could happen)
Fixed the bridge reflection effect in the river beneath it
Fixed the infamous overhang rock in sector I2 players were getting stuck on
Dead players can now correctly switch between teammates in the observer mode
General Changes
Fixed an issue where Mechanized Infantry wouldn’t disembark from player vehicles under certain circumstances
Mechanized Infantry also disembarks the vehicle only when driving slowly (at higher speeds the doors close and the rest of the squad stays in the vehicle (this is intended)
Fixed (or at least improved) the Garage render problems where tanks would not appear all at one but some of their parts would appear sooner than others (a small step for players but a giant heap of backend work from our programmers)
Fixed the aiming reticle behavior when interacting with smoke
Fixed an issue where the Match Results window sometimes wouldn’t appear after the battle’s end
Fixed the annoying flickering of the flame effect in the initial Battle Path window
Fixed some other smaller UI issues in general Battle Path design
Loot Crates in your Inventory no longer appear transparent
Special Operations mode now has a mode description in the Garage UI
Category “New” in camouflage window UI now works correctly
Fixed an issue where players weren’t able to buy Reputation bundles from various vehicles
Fixed the localization issues of commander Philipp Holzklau
Fixed a whole bunch of localization issues
Fixed an issue that could cause a crash when replaying older matches
Historical Skins: T-80UM-1 Defender
Commanders!
As every year, we’re preparing a series of Russian-themed skins, camouflages, decals and flags for the Defender of the Fatherland Day celebrations that take place on February 23 and the main part of the bundle will be the T-80UM-1 Defender skin.
The skin is based on a T-80U belonging to the 4th Guards Tank Division “Kantemirovskaya” shown during the Day of Tankmen in Kubinka in September 2006. The division is stationed in Naro-Fominsk (south-east from Moscow) some 20km from the Kubinka proving grounds so it absolutely makes sense for its vehicles to be shown there.
The vehicle featured standard Russian service camouflage with an interesting paintjob. A falcon with a Russian flag was painted on both sides of the vehicle. Additionally, the word РОССИЯ (“Russia”) was painted on the frontal rubber skirts protecting the lower frontal plate. An official Russian crest is painted there as well.
It’s worth noting the same paintjob existed at least since 2001 when the tank celebrated 20 years in service. The number 336 is also taken from another Kantemirovskaya T-80U. Our skin also features the tank’s name (Bars) on the snorkel tube at the back of the turret.
There will be other items available during the event, such as:
Russian Defender camouflage (as seen on a T-62M in 2018, also in Kubinka)
Kantemirovskaya Division Tactical Emblem decal
White Star decal
Russian Bear decal
We hope that you’ll enjoy these items and, as always:
Leopard 2 Revolution Tier 8 Premium Main Battle Tank
Leclerc T40 Tier 9 Premium Tank Destroyer
Marder 2 Tier 8 Premium Armored Fighting Vehicle
AMX 10 RCR Tier 8 Premium Tank Destroyer
Pile of Gold Loot Crate
Between February 15 and 22, 2024, the following items will be available:
Lynx Skyranger
This is a version of the cutting edge Lynx platform but instead of the standard IFV configuration, it utilizes the Skyranger HEL turret to create a short-range anti-aircraft vehicle that can also eliminate drone swarms with ease. This configuration was proposed for the recent Hungarian military upgrade program but never built in real life. You can read more about it in our dedicated article.
In Armored Warfare, the Lynx Skyranger is a Tier 10 Premium Armored Fighting Vehicle. It’s best used as a scout killer but it is capable of other roles as well. It features three rather unusual abilities, such as the programmable HE ammunition that explodes above targets, the Starstreak missiles that deal more damages over larger distances and ignore APS, and the High Energy Laser active ability. When activated, the laser blinds enemy targets, significantly reducing their spotting range. You can learn more about these abilities from our developer diary.
The Lynx Skyranger Tier 10 Premium AFV is available in our Web Shop via Loot Crates. Collect 100 blueprint pieces from these crates to obtain the vehicle.
Leopard 2 Revolution
The Leopard 2 Revolution is a continuation of the older Evolution upgrade, intended to improve the performance of the older variants of the Leopard 2 Main Battle Tank in order to make it excel even on the battlefields of the 21st century. The improvements include a comprehensive armor upgrade, ROSY soft-kill APS and smoke grenade launchers as well as an entire suite of cutting edge electronics. You can read more about it in our dedicated article.
In Armored Warfare, the Leopard 2 Revolution is a Tier 8 Main Battle Tank. It is not only well-armored, it also features an extremely accurate 120mm gun with advanced ammunition, allowing it to destroy its opponents at very long ranges, rivaling those of Tank Destroyers. The German tanks in general perform best at longer ranges and the Revolution is no exception.
Clicking the link below will open the game’s launcher. Please select the Market option on the left and select Armored Warfare to access this offer.
Leclerc T40
Sometimes called the French Terminator, this vehicle was designed on the Leclerc MBT chassis with one purpose in mind – to accompany tanks and fight off infantry attacks the same way as the Russian BMPT series does. You can read more about it in our dedicated article.
In Armored Warfare, the Leclerc T40 is a Tier 9 Premium Tank Destroyer. It offers you a combination of a durable hull, rapid-fire 40mm automatic cannon and, most importantly, the Javelin missile system. Simply right-click the target, wait until it becomes locket and fire the Javelin ATGM – it will home itself on the target, attacking its weak roof armor. Thanks to this ability, the Leclerc T40 is one of the most destructive vehicles in the game.
Clicking the link below will open the game’s launcher. Please select the Market option on the left and select Armored Warfare to access this offer.
Marder 2
The Marder 2 was an experimental German IFV, developed in the late 1980s to replace the aging Marder IFV. It featured more armor, a new turret and a brand-new Rheinmetall dual-caliber autocannon that could fire both 35mm and 50mm rounds. Despite its qualities, the vehicle was never accepted in service due to its high cost and because it was no longer needed because of the fall of the Soviet Union. A single surviving prototype can be found today in the Koblenz military collection. You can read more about it in our dedicated article.
In Armored Warfare, the Marder 2 is a Tier 8 Armored Fighting Vehicle. With its 44 tons, it’s one of the heaviest and toughest AFVs around. Unlike many other AFVs of its Tier, it is not armed with guided missiles, relying instead on its extremely powerful 50mm autocannon. This vehicle can also deploy Mechanized Infantry.
Clicking the link below will open the game’s launcher. Please select the Market option on the left and select Armored Warfare to access this offer.
AMX-10 RCR
The AMX 10 RCR is the updated variant of the French AMX 10 RC fire support vehicle by GIAT, originally developed in the early 1980s. This light and nimble wheeled 6x6 AFV was armed with a 105mm gun, allowing it to knock out even armored targets at considerable distances. Over 200 of these aging vehicles were upgraded by Nexter in 2010 with improved armor and electronics, enabling them to fulfill modern battlefield tasks until their eventual replacement by the Jaguar. You can learn more about its history in our dedicated article!
In Armored Warfare, the AMX 10 RCR is a Tier 8 wheeled Premium Tank Destroyer. It’s incredibly agile with its wheeled chassis allowing it to outrun pretty much any enemy on the battlefield save for the fastest AFVs. Its gun accuracy is also top notch, making this vehicle perfect for sniper-style gameplay as its thin armor can’t protect it against enemy shells at close distances. This vehicle also comes with the Hydraulic Suspension active ability.
Clicking the link below will open the game’s launcher. Please select the Market option on the left and select Armored Warfare to access this offer.
Pile of Gold
We also have the Pile of Gold Loot Crate for you. This Loot Crate contains copious amounts of Gold for you to win.
This Loot Crate includes:
250.000 Gold
100.000 Gold
50.000 Gold
10.000 Gold
5.000 Gold
1.000 Gold
500 Gold
100 Gold
Clicking the link below will open the game’s launcher. Please select the Market option on the left, select Armored Warfare and then the Chest section to access this offer.
We hope that you will enjoy this offer and, as usual:
See you on the battlefield!
Server Maintenance
On the 15th of February 2024, starting from 8:00 CET, the server will not be available for 2 hours due to a planned server maintenance.
Please note that the maintenance can be extended beyond the abovementioned timeframe. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Celebrating Valentine’s Day
Commanders!
On February 14, the world is celebrating St. Valentine’s Day. Now's the right time to profess your undying love of tanks and everything armored! We’ve prepared a number of bonuses and gifts that will hopefully stoke the flames of your desire... to blow something up!
This time, you’ll have the opportunity to earn a prize by winning 14 matches in PvE and 2 matches in PvP using any vehicle you like between February 14 and February 16, 2024 (21:59 CET/23:59 MSK).
The prize consists of:
Heartbreaker camouflage
Love skin for Wilk XC-8 Tier 10 Tank Destroyer
Please note that if you have the camouflage or the skin already, there is no compensation, which means this event is for those who do not have them yet. The prizes will be distributed after the end of the event.
See you on the battlefield!
Celebrating Chinese New Year
Commanders!
On Saturday, we are celebrating the onset of a new year in the Chinese calendar – a year of the Dragon, which begins on February 10, 2024. For the occasion, we’ve prepared a gift for you along with a bonus.
Between February 8 and February 15, 2024, you can pick up a special Chinese New Year gift on the MY.GAMES Market in the Chest section. This gift contains:
2 decals
1 flag
1 Battle Path boost token
Additionally, the following bonus will be available for the same duration
Clicking the link below will open the game’s launcher. Please select the Market option on the left, select Armored Warfare and then the Chest section to access this offer.
See you on the battlefield!
Offer: Asian Week
Commanders!
Today we’ve prepared the following items for you:
Type 99B Tier 10 Premium Main Battle Tank
Dragon skin for ZTZ-20
Tiger skin for MPF Light Tank
Black Lantern skin for K2 Black Panther
Voidstorm skin for K21 XC-8
Ox skin for Type 99A2
Lucky Pig skin for AFT-10
VT-5 Dragon Tier 9 Premium Light Tank
Type 96B Red Dragon Tier 8 Premium Main Battle Tank
Object 187 Dragon Tier 7 Premium Main Battle Tank
Exile Loot Crate
Between February 8 and February 15, 2024, the following items will be available:
Type 99B
The Type 99B is a fictional improved version of the currently most modern Chinese Main Battle Tank. It was designed as a concept by the Chinese tank community some years ago and we used the concept as a basis for its introduction. However, our version bears significant differences, most notably the Red Arrow missile launcher on the roof. You can read more about it in our dedicated article.
In Armored Warfare, the Type 99B is a Tier 10 Premium Main Battle Tank. It is fast, agile, and capable of dealing tremendous damage over a short period of time thanks to its turret-mounted thermobaric missile launcher.
The Type 99B MBT is available in our Web Shop via Loot Crates. Collect 100 blueprint pieces from these crates to obtain the vehicle.
Dragon skin for ZTZ-20
The ZTZ-20 is a fictional Chinese Main Battle Tank for the 21st century. It combines western influences with some ideas taken from the T-14 Armata. You can read about its (real and fictional) history in our dedicated article.
We are offering the Dragon skin for this vehicle in a bundle, which includes:
Dragon skin for ZTZ-20
3 Platinum Loot Crates
500 Gold
Clicking the link below will open the game’s launcher. Please select the Market option on the left and select Armored Warfare to access this offer.
Tiger skin for MPF Light Tank
The General Dynamics Light Tank prototype is one of the contenders in the U.S. Mobile Protected Firepower program to replace the Stryker platform in the fire support role for the U.S. Airborne forces. It is one of very few modern Light Tanks in existence. You can read more about it in our dedicated article.
We are offering the Tiger skin for this vehicle in a bundle, which includes:
Tiger skin for MPF
Tiger’s Head player avatar (free bonus)
Tiger Roar decal (free bonus)
14 days of Premium Time
2.500 Gold
Time to awake the Tiger in you!
Clicking the link below will open the game’s launcher. Please select the Market option on the left and select Armored Warfare to access this offer.
Black Lantern Skin for K2
The Black Lantern skin is inspired by the Chinese Romance of the Three Kingdoms epic and, more specifically, the Five Tiger Generals expression, thus tying in to the Year of the Tiger and Lantern Festival celebrations. Its combination of black and red will leave both your enemies and allies in awe.
This skin is available in a bundle along with the following items:
Black Lantern skin for K2 Black Panther
14 days of Premium Time
2.500 Gold
Please note that the bundle includes the skin but not the K2 Black Panther MBT itself. This tank needs to be obtained via progression directly in the game.
Clicking the link below will open the game’s launcher. Please select the Market option on the left and select Armored Warfare to access this offer.
Voidstorm Skin for K21 XC-8
Protect your K21 XC-8 Tier 10 Light Tank against the void with this epic brand-new skin featuring black and grey livery. But beware, for no amount of seals can guarantee you victory. That responsibility falls to you alone.
This skin is available in a bundle along with the following items:
Voidstorm skin for K21 XC-8
14 days of Premium Time
2.500 Gold
Please note that the bundle includes the skin but not the K21 XC-8 LT itself. This tank needs to be obtained via progression directly in the game. Please also note that this skin currently has an incorrect name in the game.
Clicking the link below will open the game’s launcher. Please select the Market option on the left and select Armored Warfare to access this offer.
Ox Skin for Type 99A2
This older skin will cover your Type 99A2 progression MBT with Ox imagery as the year 2021 was the year of the Ox. It’s rarely available on the market and now’s your chance to get your hands on it (and with a major discount no less)!
This skin is available in a bundle along with the following items:
Ox skin for Type 99A2
14 days of Premium Time
2.500 Gold
Please note that the bundle includes the skin but not the Type 99A2 itself. This tank needs to be obtained via progression directly in the game. Furthermore, if you have this skin already, you will not receive any compensation.
Clicking the link below will open the game’s launcher. Please select the Market option on the left and select Armored Warfare to access this offer.
Lucky Pig Skin for AFT-10
This is another older, rare skin that will cover your AFT-10 Premium TD with Pig imagery as the year 2019 was the year of the Pig. It’s rarely available on the market and now’s your chance to get your hands on it (and with a major discount).
This skin is available in a bundle along with the following items:
Lucky Pig skin for AFT-10
30 days of Premium Time
5.000 Gold
Please note that the bundle includes the skin but not the AFT-10 itself. This Tank Destroyer needs to be obtained separately, presumably from Loot Crates. As such, this bundle is only valuable to players who already have this vehicle.
Clicking the link below will open the game’s launcher. Please select the Market option on the left and select Armored Warfare to access this offer.
VT-5 Dragon
The VT-5 Dragon is a special version of the VT-5 with a beautiful red and gold paint scheme. The vehicle itself is a modern Chinese Light Tank that was developed specifically with export in mind. There are many reasons why a country without its own tank development should opt to purchase a Light Tank instead of a full-scale Main Battle Tank. It’s equally as fast if not faster with equal firepower but, what is most important, it is affordable. The VT-5 excels in all these categories. While its armor cannot match that of an MBT, it can protect its crew against most infantry threats thanks to its ERA and cage armor sets. It also has a powerful 105mm gun capable of firing guided missiles, it is packed with advanced electronics and is supremely agile thanks to its 1000hp diesel engine. Simply put, wraps cutting edge technologies up into an affordable bundle. You can learn more about it in a dedicated article.
In Armored Warfare, the VT-5 is a very powerful Tier 9 Premium Light Tank. Fast and agile, it features solid levels of protection (the configuration in the game is the one featuring the ERA kit as well as the turret cage armor) and a good rate of fire. Additionally, its gun is capable of firing guided missiles. It’s an ideal machine for players who value speed and agility, as it offers plenty of both. The VT-5 is capable of dancing around its opponents on the battlefield, outperforming even some AFVs in mobility.
Clicking the link below will open the game’s launcher. Please select the Market option on the left and select Armored Warfare to access this offer.
Type 96B Red Dragon
The Type 96B MBT, as its name suggests, is an evolution of the Type 96A, featuring such elements as an upgraded fire control system and a much more powerful engine, resulting in considerably better mobility and speed. Unlike the Type 96A, however, the Type 96B is a prototype, designed for the Chinese military team to use during the annual Tank Biathlon event in Russia. In 2017, the Chinese team won the second place, being defeated only by Russia. You can learn more about its history in our dedicated article!
In Armored Warfare, the Type 96B is a Tier 8 Premium Main Battle Tank. Gameplay-wise, it’s very agile and fast for its class and uses advanced ammunition, making it highly suitable for players who prefer mobility over armor protection, even though it can take a lot of punishment as well.
Clicking the link below will open the game’s launcher. Please select the Market option on the left and select Armored Warfare to access this offer.
Object 187 Dragon
The Object 187 was a Soviet era program, developed to improve upon the excellent but ageing T-72 Main Battle Tank. Several prototypes were built, featuring a number of advanced elements compared to the older Soviet tanks, such as the new long 125mm smoothbore gun with a typical muzzle brake. The result was an excellent MBT that was, however, never mass-produced due to the 1990s Russian military budget cuts – the Russian army chose a less advanced but cheaper T-90 instead. You can learn more about it in our dedicated article.
In Armored Warfare, the Object 187 is a typical Russian style Main Battle Tank – it’s suitable for an aggressive play style and is a good choice for the players who prefer to take on their opponents at close ranges.
Clicking the link below will open the game’s launcher. Please select the Market option on the left and select Armored Warfare to access this offer.
Exile Loot Crate
The Exile Loot Crate is now available. This Loot Crate contains Eclipse Battle Coins and Boosters.
Battle Coins are the primary currency of the Exile Battle Path campaign and are used to progress through it and to obtain its prizes.
Battle Coin Boosters are usable only during an active Battle Path and increase your Battle Coin income by 900 percent for two hours.
Please note that you have to obtain the access to a Battle Path to use both items.
Clicking the link below will open the game’s launcher. Please select the Market option on the left, select Armored Warfare and then the Chest section to access this offer.
We hope that you will enjoy the offer and, as always:
See you on the battlefield!
Update 0.110 Now Available
Commanders!
We are happy to announce that the Update 0.110 is now available!
List of Update 0.110 Changes
HE Shell Fixes
In this update, we’re fixing some of the issues with HE shells that got into the game in the last patch, namely the disappearance of blast wave (splash) damage.
The good news first – artillery and other “regular” splash damage should be working correctly now, which accounts for the vast majority of vehicles. The bad news is that the issue causing the loss of splash is far deeper than we previously thought and is connected to multiple other issues (for example the infamous Puma performance loss).
That is why, as a temporary measure, Puma and Boxer CRV have had their airburst shells turned into regular ones. We do realize this is a massive nerf to their performance and are working on making the airburst shells work as intended (or at least compensate the performance loss by other buffs).
General Changes
AS90 is now available to players as a Contract vehicle
Fixed the infamous Rate of Decay issue where players always spawned at the beginning of the map
Fixed an issue where using the Retreat active ability incorrectly increased the rate of fire on multiple vehicles (most notably the Kornet-D1 and Ontos)
Improved the matchmaking speed for the SPG class
Boxer CRV: Fixed the vehicle’s size (we have made the vehicle smaller in order to correspond to its real-life parameters)
Boxer CRV: Fixed an issue where its ATGMs would sometimes fly in the wrong direction
Griffin 50mm: Fixed the appearance of the Tacticam skin (paint layout, some smaller parts weren’t painted etc.)
KF41 Lynx Prototype: You can no longer shoot through some turret parts on the destroyed turret model
Pindad: Adjusted the aiming circle appearance
Puma: Fixed the camouflage appearance on this vehicle
T-80UM-1: Fixed the achievement progress bar for this tank
TOS-1M: Adjusted the aiming circle appearance
Rate of Decay: Fixed a spot where players could get stuck at C3
Fixed a large amount of specific cases where players would see a different vehicle in the acquisition screen when buying a new tank
Removed the upper cap on the amount of Credits possible to own
Added the Drone mechanic for future testing (currently not available)
Added a number of assets for future events
Fixed an issue that caused the server to crash earlier tonight
Fixed some small user interface issues
Fixed some small visual issues
Fixed some small localization issues
Server Maintenance
On the 8th of February 2024, starting from 8:00 CET, the server will not be available for 5 hours due to a planned server maintenance.
Please note that the maintenance can be extended beyond the abovementioned timeframe. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Historical Skins: T-72M1 Wittmann
Commanders!
The February of 2024 is here and it’s slowly beginning to be the right time to take a look at the next major piece of Armored Warfare content, which is a Battle Path we named “Europe’s Edge.”
As usual, there will be an option to purchase discounted access before its launch along with an exclusive piece of visual customization. And this time, it’s going to be a skin for the T-72M1 Premium Main Battle Tank called T-72M1 Wittman.
As you can probably guess from the name, the next Battle Path is connected to Europe and the post-war military history of Europe is in turn connected to the NATO.
The organization has had a complicated history, as did this Swedish T-72. Now, you might be thinking “wait a minute, Sweden doesn’t use Soviet tech and it isn’t in the NATO” – and you’d be right. But not only does Sweden have a major military force; it’s also recently submitted its NATO application and is on its way to become a member of the alliance. We wanted to introduce a skin that, in a way, represents the long, winding road from the end of the Cold War to our days. And few vehicles represent it better than this particular T-72.
It started its life in the Soviet Union. It was built by UVZ in the September of 1977, judging from the serial number, and exported in the early 1980s (likely between 1981 and 1983) as one of the first T-72s to East Germany (later production T-72 Ural tanks in East Germany were built in Czechoslovakia and didn’t have the obsolete optical rangefinders). It likely saw a decade or more of service before the unification of both halves of Germany under one banner – and it wasn’t the one of socialism. Following the merge of both militaries into modern Bundeswehr, Germany got rid of a large number of its ex-Soviet equipment, including its T-72s.
Some of them went to museums, some of them were sold to third world countries – and some of them were used as OPFOR forces in western militaries. And such was the case of this specific T-72, serial number G09WT5146. It was amongst the 9 tanks of its kind sold to Sweden to serve as an OPFOR vehicle. It retained its Warsaw Pact green paintjob but received a new Swedish number and a new name – “Wittmann”.
The name isn’t random of course – Swedes have a thing for calling ex-German OPFOR vehicles with WW2-related commander names. Some Swedish sources claim the vehicle is named after August Wittmann, a German Wehrmacht general (much like other such vehicles are called Monty or Rommel), although, to be fair, the origins of the name are somewhat anecdotal.
What is sure, however, is that the tank served with the Skaraborg Regiment (designation P 4) garrisoned in Skövde (southern Sweden). Many Swedish soldiers would learn of Soviet vehicle weaknesses from this tank for a number of years until its retirement around 2005. The vehicle was then transferred to the Axval armor museum (Pansarmuseet i Axval), the largest of its kind in Sweden back then.
Unfortunately, it was decided in late 2007 that the museum would be closed and its collections transferred to the now-famous Swedish Arsenalen museum where it rests to this day.
We decided to model the vehicle the way it appeared in 2008 during the Axval museum farewell event where it could be seen driving around, a tired old warrior ready to finally sleep in a comfy air-conditioned hall the Arsenalen museum has several of.
There’s the question of the vehicle model’s identity too. The vehicle is on several websites incorrectly listed as a T-72M1. We are aware of this discrepancy but have chosen to model it based on the M1 anyway because it does have a rather cool model, for one, and the T-72M1 will also be available during the pre-order.
And finally, the question is – “when will the pre-order be available”?
Very likely in February. But first we have to tell you more about the upcoming Battle Path – so stay tuned and follow the Armored Warfare portal for more info. But until then:
