Hello, hello! Welcome to a [b]MNAD[/b] [b]MNAD[/b] world! Apologies for the pun, but you guessed it: we are back with another [b]Division[/b] preview, number #7 to be exact, of our upcoming major [b]NORTHAG[/b] expansion! In today’s DevBlog, we’ll detail the NATO British-led [b]MultiNational Airborne Division[/b] or [b]MNAD[/b] in short. Tally ho! [b][h2]NATO British-led MultiNational Airborne Division[/h2][/b] With the [b]MNAD[/b] division, we are entering slightly more [i]abstract[/i] territory. Compared to the previous six divisions, the next four [b]WARNO[/b] [b]NORTHAG[/b] battlegroups have not yet run the testing gauntlet (meaning some units or category breakdowns will be subject to change)! [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41657262/cef53849a6a4c658d5693e345fd53521f503e225.png[/img] NATO’s [b]MultiNational Airborne Division[/b] was a bit of a special beast. In the late Cold War, this particular formation was never more than a concept in some brilliant NATO strategist's brains, and not even in the [i]exact[/i] form we will feature it. By the mid-1980s, [b]NORTHAG[/b] consisted of four “I Corps,” each from a major NATO nation. From south to north, these were the Belgians, British, Dutch, and West Germans, with each corps amounting to between two and four real-life divisions. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41657262/0190394b3d1eec84cfcf3333c66e93946cbefc4f.jpg[/img] (source: orbat85.nl) With all these units engaged in a conflict with the Warsaw Pact, [b]NORTHAG[/b] command would have been left with only a few units, mostly security, in the rear. This included a last mobile reserve, which amounted to three independent light brigades. These were the British [i]24 Airmobile Brigade[/i], the West German [i]27. Luftlandebrigade[/i], and the Belgian [i]Para-Commando Regiment[/i]. [b]An Alternative Vision[/b] Getting to the end of the (real) Cold War in the late 1980s, an idea formed to regroup these three formations into a single [i]MultiNational “Airmobile” Division[/i] acting as a sort of counter-penetration quick reaction force. The strongest component of this conceptual battlegroup would have been the British [i]24 Airmobile Brigade[/i], but when in 1988, this unit was transferred to the British [i]2nd Infantry Division[/i] (as it is depicted in-game), the whole [b]MNAD[/b] concept was put on ice. It was later revived in 1994 as the [i]MultiNational Division Central[/i] or MND(C), featuring the same British and Belgian units but also containing the newly created West German [i]31. Luftlandebrigade[/i], and at the time, equally new Dutch contribution of the [i]11 Luchtmobiele Brigade[/i]. Regardless, we decided to run with this [b]MNAD[/b] idea a bit further. Although the [i]24 Airmobile[/i] is duly transferred in our alternative timeline, the idea for a light quick reaction force in NORTHAG command persisted. As such, the British replaced the missing brigade with its last home reserve, which was earmarked as a NATO reinforcement, the [i]5 Airborne Brigade[/i]. The name [b]MNAD[/b] is kept, but with a slight tweak, now known as [b]MultiNational Airborne Division[/b]. And so as not to sideline the Dutch too much, we added a sprinkle of them (like [i]hagelslag[/i]). This results in all of [b]NORTHAG’s[/b] four major nations being represented within one division. [b][h2]NATO’s MNAD Detailed[/h2][/b] While under British command, [b]MNAD[/b] features a mix of nations like no other [b]WARNO[/b] division. Most of the war equipment and squads come in a very small number of cards, often just one. In some cases, they overlap. In these instances, it is a matter of flavor between the two nations. And no surprise here, as an airborne division, it will be a very light but fast battlegroup on the battlefield. [b]A Patchwork of Paratroopers[/b] The division’s core is made up of paratroopers from three major NATO nations: [list][*]West German [b]Fs.-JÄGER[/b] are already featured with the [i]2nd Panzergrenadier-Division[/i]. These squads will come in (existing) rifle, leader, MG-3, MILAN 2, and scout variants. The [b]Fs.-PIONIER[/b] is a new variant. [*][b]MNAD’s[/b] British new [b]PARAS[/b] squads are different from the [i]TERRIER PARAS[/i] featured in the [i]1st Armoured[/i]. Only the leader and MILAN 2 versions remain the same. These new airborne squads will have L85A1, two L85A1 LSW, and the LAW-80. They are supplemented by [b]PARA. ENGINEERS[/b] (“vanilla” and leader), [b]PARA. GUN GROUP[/b] (with three L7A2 and a LAW-80) and [b]PARAS MAG[/b] plus a [b]M2HB[/b] heavy machine gun weapons team.[/list] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41657262/cb84253e503c1256c788be9444fdd09392c5253f.png[/img] [list][*]The new Belgian [b]PARA-COMMANDO[/b] are more lightly equipped, fielding FNC, MINIMI, and either LAW or Blindice RL-100 (a weapon not in official use by the Belgian Army but produced in-country, hence the plundering of war stocks in our scenario). These squads come in engineer, LAW, Blindice, and leader variants. They are further supported in the field by [b]PARA. MAG[/b] and [b]PARA. MILAN 1[/b] units. The Belgian Para-Commando’s greatest assets were their camouflaged uniforms, which undoubtedly had one of the coolest patterns fielded during the Cold War.[/list] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41657262/395a35f54c97d73458437b02087138f31d9dd83a.jpg[/img] The above paratrooper units have the [i]Airborne[/i] and [i]Shock[/i] traits. With the exception that the latter trait does not apply to support units. Paratrooper squads will also feature extra veterancy. [b]Even More Fighting Forces[/b] However, not all the [b]MNAD[/b]’s fighting forces are paratroopers. [list][*]The [i]5 Airborne Brigade[/i] could count on the famous [b]GURKHAS[/b] light battalion. Transported in [b]CHINOOKs[/b], these units are modeled as half-platoons (as we did with some Soviet and American airmobile squads). This means large 12-man squads with 9x L85A01, 3x L86A1, and a LAW-80. Since Gurkhas had extra LAW-80s to be distributed on a mission-by-mission basis, we added a 4-man [b]GURKHAS AT GROUP[/b] with 2x LAW-80. We’ve also added the [b]GURKHAS LDR.[/b] and [b]GURKHAS ROVER WOMBAT[/b] variant (does what it says on the tin). All Gurkha squads have the [i]Resolute[/i] trait, while infantry squads also feature the [i]Shock[/i] trait, their battlefield presence preceded by a rather fearsome reputation.[/list] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41657262/6fac4fd7427972f84ab44cdc421bd9a165f2c4e8.jpg[/img] [list][*]We added a single card of [b]MARINIERS[/b], the Dutch elite naval infantry. As we explained with the French RIMa from the [i]152e Division d’Infanterie[/i] from [url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1611600/view/4365761126567531883][b]Nemesis #2 - Plateau d'Albion[/b][/url], as much as we grant all airborne troops the [i]Shock[/i] trait for their emphasis on close-quarter combat training, all naval infantry gain the [i]Resolute[/i] trait for their special [i]esprit de corps[/i]. The Dutch naval infantry squad represents the sole company left in the Netherlands, the rest being attached to the [i]UK/NL Commando Brigade[/i] earmarked for a deployment in Norway during the war. Without any transport helicopters bigger than an Alouette, the Dutch 10-man full automatic (Uzi, FAL, 2x FALO & 1x MAG) squad will rely on a German [b]UH-1D[/b] to ride into battle. These also come with their support [b]MARINIER DRAGON[/b], which is a very cheap 2-man ATGM weapon team.[/list] [b]Even More Special Equipment[/b] Each brigade also brings some special equipment of its own: [list][*]The [i]5 Airborne Brigade[/i] fields a squadron of [b]CRV(T)[/b] (all types), similar to those used in other divisions. It also relies heavily on new [b]ATMP[/b] [i]Supacat[/i] light airborne carriers. These small amphibious vehicles are used as light transport, AA, ATGM, and supply vehicles, all variants featuring the [i]Airborne[/i] trait.[/list] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41657262/28760737db92b58ecb6389d0b0b3a6bc82bdafbd.jpg[/img] [list][*]The West German [i]27. Luftlandebrigade[/i] brings the new Faun [b]KRAKA[/b], a light carrier in AA, AT, and Supply roles. Non-amphibious, they can all be [i]Airlifted[/i] in large [b]CH-53G[/b] helicopters. They also field a company of light [b]WIESEL[/b] tank destroyers in 20mm and ATGM variants, also with the [i]Airlift[/i] trait.[/list] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41657262/159060e9282331ee62539d64db812ec5517caedf.jpg[/img] [list][*]Belgium acquired so many [b]CVR(T)[/b] from the UK that after equipping its regular Army formations, they had enough left to form an airborne squadron for its [i]Para-Commando Regiment[/i]. Unlike the British counterparts, the Belgian [b]PARA. SCORPION[/b] and [b]PARA. SCIMITAR[/b] are to be found in the TANK tab.[/list] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41657262/3fc2abd1657844aa7daa83abbe553ccc33eafbd0.jpg[/img] [b][h2]NATO’s MNAD in WARNO - NORTHAG[/h2][/b] How will the [b]MNAD[/b] look in [b]WARNO[/b]? Keep in mind that all of the following is all work in progress! [b]LOG[/b] [list][*]As can be expected from an airborne division, the logistical base is rather restrained. There will be no [b]FOB[/b] for this battlegroup. [*]Supply vehicles include the British (new) [b]ATMP SUPPLY[/b] plus [b]ROVER 101FC SUPPLY[/b], West German (new) [b]KRAKA MUN.[/b] and helicopter [b]CH-53G MUN.[/b] and Belgian (new) [b]UNIMOG U1350L LOG.[/b] (a larger and different Unimog variant). [*]Command units take the form of British and Belgian [b]SULTAN[/b] and German and Belgian [b]ILTIS[/b] jeeps.[/list] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41657262/e7f178acf146ba9e6745a89419990edcf0c32d79.png[/img] [b]INF[/b] [list][*]A very good tab with lots of choice, although no unit card comes with more than two each. Many units are limited to one card only, as explained above. All four NATO armies make a contribution to this tab! [list]The large majority of the infantry are [i]Airborne[/i] troops, being able to Forward Deploy but only in soft-skin vehicles. The following units are all [b]new[/b]. Among these, the Belgian [b]PARA-COMMANDO[/b], although more lightly armed than their counterparts, have a distinct edge: they can deploy in either regular unarmed [b]UNIMOG U1350L[/b] or the armed [b]UNIMOG U1350L PARA.[/b] variant featuring a M2HB HMG and MILAN! [*]All variants of [b]GURKHAS[/b] and [b]MARINIERS[/b] (both variants) lack Forward Deployment but can be called in via helicopters. This also includes the [i]Airlift[/i] version of the [b]GURKHAS ROVER WOMBAT[/b].[/list][/list] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41657262/fd562e18b4326aeaf56719bdd72d7cfb19fec104.jpg[/img] [b]ART[/b] [list][*]A rather average category with slots quickly rising in price. Choices are limited to light options. [*]Mortars, all with [i]Airborne[/i] trait include British [b]PARA. L16 81mm[/b], Belgian [b]M30 107mm[/b] and West Geman [b]Fs.MRS. 120mm TAMPELLA[/b]. Note that all these units are “para” variants of existing units, meaning we are not treating them exactly as [b]new[/b]. [*]The Belgians bring an old [b]PARA. M101 105mm[/b] (which is basically a World War 2-era American-made M2A2) howitzer with the Forward Deployment trait. [*]The British bring the more modern [b]L118 105mm[/b] howitzer, lacking Forward Deployment but with the [i]Airlifter[/i] trait and the ability to be called in with a [b]CHINOOK[/b].[/list] [b]TANK[/b] [list][*]Surprisingly, this tab is pretty generous, with the [b]MNAD[/b] division fielding an extensive array of lightly armored, especially anti-tank, vehicles. [*]The only “true” tanks are Belgians, being the new [b]PARA. SCORPION[/b] and [b]PARA. SCIMITAR[/b]. [*]The British armored recon squadron fields the ubiquitous [b]FV102 STRIKER[/b] ATGM tank destroyer. [*]The Bundeswehr deploys its brand-new (and also new for [b]WARNO[/b]) [b]WIESEL 20mm[/b] and [b]WIESEL TOW-2[/b] light tank destroyers. These armored vehicles can be [i]Airlifted[/i] by a [b]CH-53G[/b]. [*]Other light vehicles are the West German [b]KRAKA I-TOW[/b] and British [b]ATMP MILAN 2[/b].[/list] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41657262/856604651b9fd18449cc63341f5b2c14516587a4.jpg[/img] [b]RECO[/b] [list][*]A good category with a fair number of not-too-expensive slots. [*]Already existing units include British recon [b]GAZELLE[/b], [b]SNIPER[/b], [b]SCORPION[/b], and [b]SCIMITAR[/b], as well as West German [b]Fs.-JÄGER B1[/b]. [*]Attached from the [i]5 Airborne Brigade[/i] is the last remaining [i]British Army on the Rhine[/i]’s helicopter squadron with the [i]Westland Scouts[/i] coming in the form of a recon (and new) [b]SCOUT AH.1 HELARM[/b] with AS.11 missiles (this is the air-to-ground variant of the famous SS.11). [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41657262/769f3212fe1f344bf191424e6b5804aced7f1eb3.jpg[/img] [*]New infantry recon squads: [list][*]A 4-man Belgian [b]PATROUILLE PARA-CMDO[/b] and a 6-man (out of whom carry 3x Minimi!) [b]ECLAIREURS PARA-CMDO[/b]. The latter is the only squad from this category to be brought to the battlefield by helicopter, the new [b]A109BA HTPT[/b]. [*]The British 8-man [b]PARA. SCOUTS[/b] and elite 9-man [b]PATHFINDERS[/b], the latter featuring extra veterancy and 4x MAG machine guns! [/list] [*]And lastly, some of the division’s coolest-looking units are the new [i]Light Strike Vehicles[/i] or [b]LSV[/b]. [list][*]These sand-buggies come in two variants: [b]LSV M2HB[/b] HMG or the [b]LSV MILAN 2[/b]. They can be considered much faster, but unarmored French VBL. [*]Unlike the above-mentioned French jeep, these [b]LSV[/b] vehicles are piloted by the SAS (as they were during the Gulf War). Hence, these units have Elite veterancy and the [i]Special Forces[/i] trait.[/list][/list] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41657262/c164aea50a10f921fcc782c23dfeed9c73d109d6.png[/img] [b]AA[/b] [list][*]Not everything can be nice and shiny. As expected, this [b]MNAD[/b] tab is mediocre at best. There is still some variety in its options, though. [*]The West Germans only contribute the new [b]KRAKA 20mm[/b] AA weapon carrier.[/list] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41657262/62bb1af083b25b60646ee0753f32287cbd318587.jpg[/img] [list][*]The Belgians bring their [b]PARA. M167A1 VADS 20mm[/b] Gatling, as well as their small stock of the new [b]PARA. MISTRAL[/b]. [*]The British field the ever-present [b]JAVELIN[/b], as well as the new [b]ATMP JAVELIN LML[/b] light vehicle. [*]Finally, in addition to the strict TO&E, there is a single battery of [b]SKYGUARD CV 35mm[/b]. This is a towed variant of GEPARD’s twin guns. The “CV” in the name means “Captured Vehicles” for these units were originally… Argentinian. Yup, these Skyguards were captured by the [i]5 Airborne Brigade[/i] in 1982 in the Falklands and brought back home. After testing, Britain returned all captured guns to operational status and even bought a few extra to equip a whole battery. We consider that the British paratroopers, expecting a serious air threat, would have commandeered their “booty” guns and brought them to fight the Soviets.[/list] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41657262/72bab8493823743905abed75ffadb6b4a4255b3a.jpg[/img] [b]HELO[/b] [list][*]Rather bad with few slots and expensive options. [*]Only a small selection of British [b]LYNX HELARM[/b] (both variants) and West German [b]Bo-105 PAH[/b] (again, both variants).[/list] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41657262/72db51fd9b3a413e7e7d48fff9daefc9a2b88d62.jpg[/img] [b]AIR[/b] [list][*]A good category with all four nations contributing to the [b]MNAD’s[/b] AIR tab. [*]Belgians focus on close air support with [b]MIRAGE 5BA[/b] in rocket and HE roles, also featured with [b]NORTHAG’s[/b] [i]16de Pantserdivision[/i]. [*]The West German Luftwaffe watches over the skies above with [b]F-4F [AA][/b] fighters (already present in the [i]2. Panzergrenadier[/i]). [*]The Dutch Koninklijke Luchtmacht is represented with two new variants: [b]F-16A [AA2][/b] “shotgun” fighters with ripple-fired (6) AIM-9L, plus a [b]NF-5A [CLU][/b] multirole “Freedom Fighter.” [*]The “Crown Jewel” of this division’s air power is the long-requested, often-teased (including as one of [b]Army General’s[/b] strategic choices), the new RAF [b]BUCCANEER S.2B[/b]. This chubby bomb truck comes in a variety of roles: [list][*][b]HE[/b] with 6x 513kg Mk.18 BRET bombs and 2x AIM-9L. [*][b]LGB[/b] with 2x CPU-123M laser-guided bombs. [*][b]SEAD[/b] featuring 2x AS.37 (Martel) anti-radiation missile and 1x AIM-9L. This was Britain's sole SEAD plane in real life at the end of the Cold War. The Tornado already featured in [b]WARNO[/b] was officially only tested in this role during the Gulf War. [*][b]AT[/b] with 2x AJ-168 anti-tank missiles.[/list][/list] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41657262/da23accbb8a974270c956a24b43b109387a10a88.jpg[/img] The [b]MultiNational Airborne Division[/b] is a very light, flexible paratrooper-focused battlegroup with nothing more heavily armored than a light Scorpion or Scimitar tank. It can count on plenty of other weapon carriers and support vehicles, though. All units, from infantry to air power, come in a great variety of shapes, sizes, and forms. It should be a fast-moving, versatile division on the [b]WARNO[/b] battlefield. [b][h2]NORTHAG Expansion Explained[/h2][/b] [b]WARNO - NORTHAG[/b] is the first major expansion coming to [b]WARNO[/b]. World War III hits the North German Plain where the attacking Warsaw Pact needs to overcome the staunch defenses of NATO’s NORTHAG. Under British command, Belgian, Dutch, West German, and American forces battle against the powerful northern formations of the Soviet Group of Forces in Germany, including East German and reinforcing Polish armies. The expansion is planned for later in 2024. https://store.steampowered.com/app/2978620/WARNO__NORTHAG [b]WARNO - NORTHAG[/b] will feature: [list][*]2 new [b]Army General[/b] campaigns. [*]4 new [b]Operations[/b]. [*]10 new [b]Divisions[/b], including NATO’s Belgian [b]16e Pantserdivisie[/b], Dutch [b]4e Divisie[/b], the British [b]4th Armoured Division[/b] and [b]MultiNational Airborne Division[/b], while the Warsaw Pact deploys the Soviet [b]25-ya Tank. Diviziya[/b], the East German [b]9. Panzerdivision[/b], and the Polish [b]4 Dywizja Zmechanizowan[/b]. [*]3 new playable nations: NATO’s Belgium and the Netherlands, and Warsaw Pact’s Poland. [*]New voice acting. [*]New units and models.[/list] We have started detailing [b]WARNO - NORTHAG’s[/b] features. Check the list below! [list][*]In the very first DevBlog, highlighting [b]Division #1[/b], we show off NATO’s Belgian [b]16e Pantserdivisie[/b] going to war with powerhouse cousin Luxembourg. Read more about [url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1611600/view/4615714711226689202?l=english] the new battlegroup in this dedicated post[/url]. [*]In [b]Division #2[/b], we focused on the Warsaw Pact’s Soviet [b]25-ya Tank. Diviziya[/b] or [b]25th Tank Division[/b]. Read more about [url=https://steamcommunity.com/games/1611600/announcements/detail/4601078645996666657?l=latam]this battlegroup here[/url]. [*]In our [b]Division #3[/b], we look at the Dutch and their hard-hitting [b]4e Divisie[/b]. Check it [url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1611600/view/7447353797710840842?l=en]out in this DevBlog here[/url]. [*]The [b]Division #4[/b] looks into the poster child of the East German [i]Nationale Volksarmee[/i], the [b]9. Panzerdivision[/b]. Take a [url=https://steamcommunity.com/games/1611600/announcements/detail/4658500175769884307]look in this DevBlog[/url]. [*]In our [b]Division #5[/b] we take a gander at the British [b]4th Armoured Division[/b]. Check it out [url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1611600/view/4658500175787248080?l=english]in this DevBlog[/url]. [*]And our [b]Division #6[/b] looks at the new Polish mechanized fighting forces of the [b]4 Dywizja Zmechanizowana[/b]. Check out the [url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1611600/view/4656249009455187260?l=english]DevBlog here[/url].[/list] [b][h2]Until Next Time[/h2][/b] We’ll be back later this week with the Warsaw Pact’s Polish [b]20 Pancerna[/b]! Join the [b]WARNO[/b] community. Check the latest news on the [b][url=https://steamcommunity.com/app/1611600/allnews/]Steam News[/url][/b] page or visit the [b][url=https://steamcommunity.com/app/1611600/discussions/]Steam Forums[/url][/b]. Get together with other players on either the excellent [b][url=https://discord.gg/TEeBArm]Discord server[/url][/b], [b][url=https://www.reddit.com/r/warno/]Reddit page[/url][/b], [b][url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiFqzFcEAzeiu3Msr9G7izw]YouTube[/url][/b] or our [b][url=https://www.instagram.com/eugensystems/]Instagram[/url][/b]. See you on the battlefield, commander. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41657262/46b28b1a51370aaf3dbfca9b321bd800a316113e.gif[/img]