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I wrote this in dev's new update post, but just in case I repeat here again. I know this was discussed and this is one of the dev's wishlist, but I guess this issue is kinda a bit urgent over others, first current system (support tab infantry without dedicated vehicle) is not realistic, second, it is tactically helpful, and third, it can help the balance among factions.

AB really needs to introduce ATGM/AT and support tab infantry with dedicated vehicle. Some secondary factions of NATO (and PACT) heavily rely on ATGMs to counter heavy MBTs from late 1980s game. In this case, mobility of ATGMs and other AT sections are key for several actions. But inability of ATGM/AT infantry greatly limits several faction's tactics and strategy, and eventually negatively influence to the overall balance. Even now, factions like Italy cannot do much things against wave of T-80Us or later variants of T-72s. Even T-72M1 waves can easily penetrate Italian defense in this game.

ATGM infantry section has some merits over ATGM vehicles, such as they are more stealthier, and able to hide in building or tougher terrain to increase cover bonus. With ATGM / AT infantry with dedicated vehicle, players (and AI) can design / perform screening and ambushing much better and easier.



Plus, IMO auto ammo resupply of all infantry with dedicated vehicle should be introduced, when infantry units ride their vehicles again. Of course there should be maximum ammo limits per each vehicles. This way, players (and AI) will not throw empty cheap taxi (like M113 tin can) to the enemy for recon purpose, and will take care of their taxi more carefully.

I have never dabbled in the unit database but Could you not build a unit like this?

Kind of like the Marder that carries the Milan team...

ORIGINAL: Lowlaner2012

I have never dabbled in the unit database but Could you not build a unit like this?

Kind of like the Marder that carries the Milan team...

I was wondering about this too?

You can, the reason it’s not in the official database is the AI isn’t yet able to implement them like you or I would. I have a database I use for my personal use that has various tweaks, including these. Honestly, the AI isn’t horrible when given these kinds of units, but I understand why it’s not officially implemented.

Italian Army had around 260,000-270,000-strong Army (plus anywhere from 65,000 to 100,000 Carabinieri). And there was a grand total of about 714 MILAN launchers (and about 24 missiles bought per launcher, including those used for training). As nominal complement was around 54 launchers per every brigade, it would have meant that only half of peacetime Italian brigades would have been fully equipped, so I guess some units were issued with less and mixed with 106mm RCL guns. There were around 12 TOWs per each brigade (all on vehicles), but with significantly lower missile stocks.

Which all considered doesn't sound bad, until you realize Italian infantry had abusmall AT capability on every other level (Super Bazooka rounds were decades old, rarely fired, and it was feared rounds in storage would have been duds in war) and Super ENERGA rifle grenades. And that MILANs were carried in jeeps, which could carry handful of rounds anyway. So, Italy being vulnerable to tank attacks is quite realistic.

French faction has VAB and AMX-10P MILAN carriers, which carry one launcher on vehicle, and another one that could be dismounted.

But even those dedicated vehicles have a grand total of 12 and 10 missiles carried, respectively (which in-game is higher, because there are additional 3 missiles per 2-men dismount team).

ORIGINAL: Lowlaner2012
I have never dabbled in the unit database but Could you not build a unit like this?

Kind of like the Marder that carries the Milan team...

I can try one, buy recently I'm really too busy to enjoy games or even any modding for map or units. ATGM team with different types of taxi would be interesting, but prepare such unit for all time frame and all faction is kinda burden job, at least for me now... It would be great if someone could share their database with such features.

ORIGINAL: 22sec
You can, the reason it’s not in the official database is the AI isn’t yet able to implement them like you or I would. I have a database I use for my personal use that has various tweaks, including these. Honestly, the AI isn’t horrible when given these kinds of units, but I understand why it’s not officially implemented.

Using CCIP's Chechen mod, I was able to see how AI use grenade launcher squad with vehicle, and I think it is not that bad. But AI for ATGMs should be different from AI of MG or GL.

ORIGINAL: nikolas93TS
Italian Army had around 260,000-270,000-strong Army (plus anywhere from 65,000 to 100,000 Carabinieri). And there was a grand total of about 714 MILAN launchers (and about 24 missiles bought per launcher, including those used for training). As nominal complement was around 54 launchers per every brigade, it would have meant that only half of peacetime Italian brigades would have been fully equipped, so I guess some units were issued with less and mixed with 106mm RCL guns. There were around 12 TOWs per each brigade (all on vehicles), but with significantly lower missile stocks.

Which all considered doesn't sound bad, until you realize Italian infantry had abusmall AT capability on every other level (Super Bazooka rounds were decades old, rarely fired, and it was feared rounds in storage would have been duds in war) and Super ENERGA rifle grenades. And that MILANs were carried in jeeps, which could carry handful of rounds anyway. So, Italy being vulnerable to tank attacks is quite realistic.

I admit I was mostly crashed by AI yet achieved not bad number of draw game against AI when I try late 1980 ~ 1990s game with Italy against USSR. It is like fighting rocks with paper clip. As Italy,
1) Buy good amount of Mangusta and set proper BP location, and properly use HQ CAS.
2) Use recon a lot, find AA as fast as and as many as possible, and hit them with artillery.
3) ATGM traps.
4) Hit and run with tanks and RR (recoilless rifle) jeeps.
5) Don't trust super bazooka and Energa nades against tanks, only use them against IFVs
Those were kinda only way to try something against USSR at least for me. Playing Italy is very geometry = map dependent, and I guess this will kinda similar with Belgium.

ORIGINAL: nikolas93TS
French faction has VAB and AMX-10P MILAN carriers, which carry one launcher on vehicle, and another one that could be dismounted.

But even those dedicated vehicles have a grand total of 12 and 10 missiles carried, respectively (which in-game is higher, because there are additional 3 missiles per 2-men dismount team).

Regarding infantry ammo, like my comment, would it be better to introduce auto ammo resupply when any infantry embark their vehicle again? This would help infantry to be useful little longer, and players will not waste APCs.

Anyway, I believe ATGM, MG, GL, RR team with dedicated taxi would make this game better in many ways. Not super ultra better, but still, it would be meaningful modification which would enhance tactical diversity. From my experience of Chechen mod of CCIP where Russians have GL team in vehicle, I think current AI is not that bad. MG and GL looks OK but ATGM and RR might requires some tweak in AI. Hope to see this soon.

Belgian infantry have several M72 LAW per squad, so they have marginally better AT capability. There are also Super ENERGAs for last ditch defence, and one RL-83 Blindicide per platoon which is similar to some Italian formations with comparable M20 Super Bazooka (although Belgians were issued 6 rounds).

As for using APCs for reload, I think you overestimate such practice. In most cases, those would be some pistol caliber rounds, hand grenades, MG ammunition if shared, and in rare cases there were racks for additional AT rounds, but in that case I tend to assign those to infantry anyway. Well, at least to official TO&Es. Meddling with core games mechanisms is chancy, and would also require additional xml strings and database editor changes as well, too much work for a fairly limited aspect. You can always model resupply by making ad-hoc mech squads and weapons with ready ammunition and full-reload feature.

As for AI dismount tank-hunter teams, I think those will be probably better modeled with scripted AI than anything we could programme in short time.