WARSAW PACT USSR T-90. Is it a T-80U or a T-90? I elected to call the T-90 (originally a slightly upgraded T-80 that was going to be called the T-72BU) the first upgrade and the T-90A as the improved model. The T-90A was built with a welded instead of cast turret, a new engine and the ESSA thermal viewer. The T-80s poor showing in the First Chechen War led to the Russians dumping the gas-turbine and going back to diesel. The T-90s, like all Russian tanks, use a variety of ammunition including laser designated gun launched anti-tank missiles. The T-90s use the Shtora active protection system. It is basically a one shot smoke screen that dazzles lasers. The Shtora also, and I find to be very impressive, will detect laser sources and automatically slew the gun to the source of the laser. BMD 2, BMP3 and BMD3. These powerful IFVs begin entering Soviet service in 1987 in small numbers. The 30mm auto cannon was now supplemented by a 100mm gun/launcher firing the AT-10 Stabber ATGM. The AT-5 systems are no longer carried. Most impressive and recently demonstrated is that the BMP3 can fire all weapons, including the AT-10, while on the move and while amphibious. Reportedly the magnesium rear end is gone and the armor is now spaced aluminum on the front. The BMD2 is the BMD 1 upgraded with the BMP-2 (BMP-B) turret and was in service by 1992. The BMD3 is larger and has more armor and improved engine. BMP-1 FIST-V (PRP-4M). The Soviets had a version of this FIST-V in service since 1970. This version entered service in 1988. Similar in function to the American M-981, the Soviet FIST-V is equipped with thermal sights out to 3000m, a laser rangefinder and designator.
SO-120 and 2S23. These vehicle mounted 120mm Mortar/howitzers are probably what were described as the AM82 in the original game. Both vehicles were developed in the early 1980s. The SO120 (2S9) is mounted on the BMD chassis and the 2S23 is mounted on the BTR-80. My research indicates that the SO120 was originally developed for use by Soviet Air Assault Divisions and the 2S23 coming later for use in Motor Rifle Divisions. Suggestion is to substitute the appropriate counter for the AM82. BTR-80A. The BTR-80A entered service in the mid-90s with a 30mm externally mounted cannon and a 7.62 mm coaxial machinegun. It is equipped with day and infra-red night sights. The weapon is not stabilized. The engine has also been upgraded. SU25 Frogfoot and MiG 27 Flogger-D. I have chosen the SU25 Frogfoot as the Warsaw Pact close air support attack aircraft and the MiG 27 Flogger as the WP fighter bomber. The Flogger-D was a conversion of MiG -23 to the ground attack role and used mainly as gun and bomb platforms. The SU25 Frogfoot was the Soviet response to the U.S. A- 10 Thunderbolt II (Warthog). The SU25 carries the 9A4172 Vikhr ATGM similar in use to the Maverick. Mi24 Hind A, Ka50/Ka52 Hokum and Mi28N Havoc. The granddaddy of Soviet attack helicopters, the original Mi-24 Hind A is a heavily armed troop transport gunship. The Ka50/52 Alligator (NATO Hokum) designed in the 1980s, began entering Russian service in 1995. The Ka52 is a two seat version of the Ka-50, dedicated to battlefield reconnaissance, and targeting operations. The Ka52 is used to co-ordinate attack helicopter operations and can act as a forward observer. The Ka50 is the dedicated attack helicopter The Ka50/52 is much faster and stealthier than the Mi-24 series and carries the same 9A4172 Vikhr ATGM as the Frogfoot. The Mi28 Havoc first flew in 1982 but did not actually enter service until 2009. The Mi-28 lost the attack helicopter competition to the Ka50 in 1984 but the Soviets kept development going and in 1987 approved the construction of the production line. In 1993, production was cancelled since the Mi-28A was by the Russians as not being competitive with the Ka50 (the Mi-28A wasn t all weather capable). The final production model was the Mi-28N (1995) with all-weather capability and above rotor mounted radar (similar to the Longbow). The Mi-28N is equipped with Spiral 2 missiles. The Mi-28N is produced in small numbers.
SA-8 and 2S6 (ZSU-30). The SA-8 Gecko radar guided SAM was developed in the late 60s as a replacement for the towed S-60 57mm AA gun. It fills the gap between the SA-9 and the SA-7. The SA-8b missile is MACH 2 fast and can engage targets out to 15000m (60 hexes). The 2S6 Tunguska was developed in the early 1980s and entered service in 1986. Called the ZSU-30 in the original Assault module Boots & Saddles, the 2S6 has two twin 30mm cannon and 4 SA-19 SAMs (the missiles were left out of Boots & Saddles). The 30mms engage targets out to 3000m (12 hexes) while the SA-19s are for targets out to 8000m (32 hexes). SA-15. Coming in both a wheeled and tracked version, the SA-15 Gauntlet entered service in 1986 as a successor to the SA-8 Gecko. The radar guided SA-15 has greater accuracy, lethality and the ability to engage 2 targets simultaneously. The SA-15 has a range of 1500m (6 hexes) out to 18000m (72 hexes). TO-55. Another modification to the venerable T-55, the TO-55 is equipped with a flamethrower. The TO-55 is used in specialized independent flamethrower battalions at Front level.
Poland. The PT-91 Twardy. The PT-91 is a Polish upgrade of the Russian T-72M. The T-72s that the Soviets sold to its Warsaw Pact allies came without the composite armor installed. The Poles attempted to rectify that and the result was the PT-91. The Twardy entered service in 1995 and uses domestically produced upgrades. The Poles added reactive armor, a new engine and transmission, and a new auto-loader. As a result of these changes the Twardy is more accurate than the Russian T-72, better armored than the T-72M, but there was no significant change in speed. The Twardy still uses the same 125mm smooth bore and fires Russian ammunition. T-55M. The T-55M is essentially an upgraded T-55. The Polish version of the T-55M, T-55AM2P, has upgraded armor, improved fire control system, stabilized weapon and can fire the AT-10 Stabber (same missile as the BMP-3). It is also used by Czechoslovakia (T-55AM2B) and the Soviets (T-55AM2PB) OT-64 SKOT. This wheeled APC was developed jointly in the 1960s by Poland and Czechoslovakia. The Poles and the Czechs apparently were smarter than the Russians and used a single diesel engine (interestingly the Soviets waited until they produced the BTR 80 to do the same). The SKOT is also slightly better armored then the BTRs owing to the fully armored interior of the vehicle. The SKOT is probably what the Russians wanted the BTRs to be.
Czechoslovakia OT-90. The Czechs took the turret from the OT-64 and mated it with the body of the BMP-1 to produce this non-amphibious version. V77 DANA. This 152mm SPA entered service in 1981. It was developed by Czechoslovakia as an alternative to the Soviet 2S3 (S-152). Its most unique feature, other than being a wheeled SPA, is an auto-loader that functions at any barrel elevation. The DANA is not designed for direct fire. The DANA is used by Czechoslovakia, Poland and the Soviet Union. RM-70. The RM-70 entered service in 1972 and is the Czech armored version of the BM-21. It is also used by East Germany (DDR).