Hi, all!
First of all, a reminder that the DLC release date was and remains "To Be Announced" for a reason.
DLC is scheduled to add entirely new game mechanics and significantly expand the Operations mode - big changes, connected to many internal systems in this or that way.
It would be very optimistic to expect it to arrive in the same timeframe as the FreeLCs, even without considering a whole host of health problems I'm having in the meantime.
I would like to have a more definite timeline myself, but for the time being, it is what it is.
Work on the 'Winds of Change' continues at a regular tempo: some of the new content and features even make it into the public version, with the F-4F and M113-TOW in version 1.0.98 being the most prominent examples.
The new nations - Czechoslovakia, Netherlands, Canada, and France - are taking shape. Pretty much the entire unit lineup is done and integrated. Now the regiments are being formed and tested in combat. (playing France for a first time was definitely... an Experience)
Canadian Airborne troops and a Grizzly AVGP
In researching and implementing the new forces, we've come across various interesting facts and challenges:
Československá lidová armáda (CSLA) insignia is the first one of the Warsaw Pact decals that need to be oriented in a specific way - "blue part forward", simply speaking. Luckily, a few shader tricks saved us from updating all the vehicle models to reorient decal meshes. CSLA vehicles and aircraft will have the roundel facing the correct way now.
Su-25 with the CSLA Air Force livery: rare case of a Warsaw Pact nation airforce with heraldic elements in the squadron emblems
An OT-65A Vydra, a recon vehicle armed with a recoilless rifle, and the well-known Mi-24D
Royal Netherlands Army vehicle designations were notably minimalistic. No tactical numbers, no unit emblems. To compensate for that, a set of static decals has been added to all Dutch vehicles, showing the Military Load Class, registration number, and a subtle flag.
Leopard 2NL - very similar to the Leopard 2A4 in all aspects but armor, which remained around the 2A1 levels. Subtler differences include an FN MAG instead of MG3 as an AA machinegun, and different smoke grenade launchers
French Armed Forces low-level air defense is a rag-tag bunch. AMX-13 DCA was outdated, slow, and gradually phased out. Mistral MANPADS wasn't man-portable and was just entering service in very limited numbers. That left the ubiquitous 20mm 53T2 and F2 guns as the main AAA component.
20mm 53T2 gun is the first static weapon to appear in Regiments, taking the role of a pre-placed anti-air site for French forces. Its performance isn't exactly spectacular, so massing them together with Truck- and VAB-mounted systems would be a good idea.
Concentrated fire of the TRM2000-mounted and dismounted 53T2 guns. Maybe not the most powerful anti-air gun out there, but the seat looks comfy
Canadian Armed Forces table of equipment wouldn't be complete without this unique chimera. ADATS amalgamates anti-tank and surface-to-air capabilities on a single chassis and inside the same missile.
In Regiments, it'll be classified as a SAM system first and foremost, but one that can defend itself against armored threats too.
ADATS - a very fresh arrival to the Canadian forces stationed in Germany, undoubtedly raising some questions for Soviet intelligence
And as said before, the public version isn't forgotten either - the 1.0.99 update is coming very shortly.
Initially envisioned as a simple hotfix for an MG buff introduced in 1.0.98, the patch grew in size and will now add a new skirmish regiment, new units, a pair of long-awaited features that were requested since times immemorial, and much more.
Czechoslovak paratroopers secure the landing zone
That's all for now! See you again pretty soon, with the 1.0.99 update changelog.