Building a Starter NATO Canadian Force By John Lee With the launch of WW3 NATO, I thought I would look at how a new player, or someone on a budget, could get a force on the table that would be competitive, or at least hold its own for Canadian forces. For the new player, it opens the door to playing WW3 without needing to buy, assemble or paint too much and get into playing the game quicker.

There is an army deal for the French and a couple of new infantry company deals for the French and Canadians. The new infantry company deal for Canadians revolves around the M113 Mechanised Infantry Company – which is an existing Formation from Free Nations release. The focus of this article is on some of the new Formations now available to the Canadians. They are the addition of the Leopard 2 Armoured Squadron based in Europe and four new Formations based in Canada itself. Cougar and Coyote Armoured squadrons, Grizzly Mechanised Company, and Airbourne Company. On the force diagram, the Canadians have three different allied support options, that can be part of your Force without having to field a full allied Formation which could make for an interesting, themed Force.

We will look at the Leopard 2 Armoured Squadron, Cougar Armoured Squadron, and Airbourne Company at 100pts and how we can maximise what we purchase to build a Force around that Formation. First is the Leopard 2 Armoured Squadron which is comprised of the following Units: 1 Leopard 2 Armoured Squadron HQ 2-3 Leopard 2 Armoured Troop 0-1 M113 Mechanised Platoon 0-1 M150 Anti-tank Section or M113 TUA Anti-tank Section 0-3 Lynx Recce Patrol or Coyote Recce Patrol Looking at the Formation, let’s see what we can put on the table:

Six Units for the Formation break. 7 Leopards to get in amongst your enemy’s flanks whilst the ADATS snipe from distance and provide air cover. Recon to get spearhead when needed and to be a distraction for your opponent. Infantry platoon to hold an objective. To buy this army you need only to purchase the following for $310:

1 x TCA712 Mechanised Platoon $20 3 x TCBX01 ADATS Air Defence Platoon $90 2 x TGBX01 Leopard 2 Panzer Zug $100 1 x TNBX03 NATO M113 Transports $50 1 x TUBX16 LAV Platoon $50 TOTAL $310

We can change this up a bit by changing out the infantry platoon and M113s for M113 TUAs which would also result in an additional saving of $18.

Onto the Cougar Armoured Squadron now, this Formation is comprised of: 1 Cougar Armoured Squadron HQ 2-4 Cougar Armoured Troop 0-1 M113 Mechanised Platoon or Grizzly Mechanised Platoon 0-1 M150 Anti-tank Section or Iltus TWO Anti-tank Section 0-3 Lynx Recce Patrol or Coyote Recce Patrol Looking at the Formation, let’s see what we can put on the table:

Four Units for the Formation break. The Formation is anchored by the infantry platoon and the Cougars go after the enemy’s flanks and rear area Units whilst the Four M1A1HCs and ADATS take on the enemy’s tanks. The tanks are perfect for assaulting infantry off the objectives whilst the ADATs provide dual AA cover and long-range sniping! To buy this army you need only to purchase the following for $336:

1 x TCA712 Mechanised Platoon $20 2 x TCBX01 ADATS Air Defence Platoon $60 3 x TCBX03 Cougar Platoon $156 1 x TNBX03 NATO M113 Transports $50 1 x TUBX18 Abrams Tank Platoon $50 TOTAL $336

To change this up a bit and strengthen the Formation, we will remove the allied M1A1HCs and add some more Units as shown in this list:

Seven Units for the Formation break now. Two Units of tanks now and we have added more AA coverage freeing up the ADATS to focus more on long-range sniping of enemy tanks. TOWs to remove enemy artillery, missile units and tanks. Recce for spearhead. To buy this army you need only to purchase the following for $496:

1 x TCA300 Lynx Reconnaissance Patrol $30 1 x TCA712 Mechanised Platoon $20 3 x TCBX01 ADATS Air Defence Platoon $90 3 x TCBX03 Cougar Platoon $156 1 x TGBX01 Leopard 2 Panzer Zug $50 1 x TGBX14 Leopard 1 Panzer Zug $50 2 x TNBX03 NATO M113 Transports $100 TOTAL $496

Finally, we look at probably the coolest Formation to get released for the Canadians – the Airbourne Company! The Units that make up this Formation are: 1 Airbourne Company HQ 2-3 Airbourne Platoon 0-1 .50 cal HMG Platoon 0-1 C3 81mm Mortar Platoon 0-3 Iltus Recce Patrol 0-3 Iltus TOW Anti-tank Section Heliborne infantry, HMGs, Mortars, Jeeps – what more could you ask for! Let’s see what a list could look like:

Five Units for the Formation break. The HMGs and Mortars can be used to defend objectives whilst using the two airmobile platoons to keep your opponent guessing on what you will do them, forcing them to guard their own objectives. Having helicopters as transports gives you flexibility and forces your opponent to defend their objectives even if they are attacking. The two tank platoons provide mobile firepower whilst the ADATS provide the long-range sniping option keeping your opponent honest and can provide AA cover. To buy this army you need only to purchase the following for $418:

4 x TCA712 Mechanised Platoon $80 1 x TCA714 Airbourne Weapons Platoon $20 3 x TCBX01 ADATS Air Defence Platoon $90 1 x TGBX01 Leopard 2 Panzer Zug $50 1 x TGBX14 Leopard 1 Panzer Zug $50 4 x TUBX07 UH-1 Huey Transport Helicopter Platoon $128 TOTAL $360

We could change out the two Leopard tank platoons with three M1A1HCs and save $50. You could also choose not to get all the Hueys – maybe just get two boxes instead of four (one platoon would not have them) – still, one heliborne platoon will give your opponent something to worry about. That’s a further saving of $64.

There you have it – some options to ponder for getting started with the Canadians' new Formations and getting the best bang for your buck. Enjoy! ~ John