Next up, we'll talk about the revolution in military affairs and how NATO's conventional resurgence will translate into Civ 3 terms.
"What they have been doing is building up huge armed forces, far greater than what would be necessary, in any conceivable siutation, for their own defense, at a cost gravely detrimental to domestic development in the USSR and in a mode essentially offensive...This is not to suggest that a war is bound to happen, or even that it is likely. If, however, there could be no question that, in the event of war, the Warsaw Pact would win, the free countries of the West would be in no position to withstand political pressure from the USSR, which would enjoy the fruits of a military victory without having to fight for it." -General Sir John Hackett
By the late 1970s, the North Atlantic Treaty forces were in a bad kinda way. The reliance on nuclear deterrence, and the development of weapons and military organization to that end, left conventional forces wanting. The Soviet Union and its allies were vastly increasing both their convential forces, their technology, and their nuclear weapons capability. The USSR far exceeded the West in numbers, and was narrowing the technology gap. A number of senior leaders throughout NATO were dedicated to the idea that a stronger conventional military actually made war less likely by making it a more risky and less attractive option for the Brezhnev leadership to acheive its ongoing goal: to stay in power.
This was not a particularly easy sell to Western nations tired of inflation, stagnation, and amidst social changes that questioned traditional institutions and policies. Through the 1980s, however, a number of key systems, and more importantly, concepts on warfare came into being. The Viet Nam experience had shaken the Americans and brought new emphasis on conventional and irregular war, and the October War of 1973 had proven that the effectiveness of anti-tank missiles, the speed of operations, and the attrition rate of modern war that would far exceed any production or mobilization plan. NATO developed the strategy of Forward Defense: to not only meet the Waraw Pact armies at the border, but also to provide a deep, networked defense. Invading forces would not simply be able to penetrate the defensive line and roll up their opponents. Instead, they would face a frustrating web of interlocking defenses, designed to slow the advance. Obstacles, manuever, accurate fires, air support, and a vigorous electronic warfare campaign would blunt the enemy's numerical superiority and leave them blind to a lightning counter-offensive.
NATO forces in Germany start off at a severe disadvantage in game. Forces on the inter-German border are spread thin and are not fortified. Air units cannot intercept and no movement is available the first turn. This means the Warsaw Pact players have free reign on their inital assault, and the consequences will be tough. This situation exists both to make the game challenging, and to encourage the computer AI to attack aggressively. It hardly means, however, that NATO is helpless.
NATO forces are divided into brigades. There are three per division, unlike the Soviet's 4 regiments per division. NATO units do not have near as much air defense, artillery, reserves, and additional assets that the Warsaw Pact do. What NATO does have is a technology advantage and a high degree of tactical and technical proficiency, as well as a high level of training and flexible leadership. The Soviets severely limit the initiative of small unit leaders, counting on the weight of the plan and closely echeloned forces to overwhelm their enemies. NATO forces, on the other hand, place a high regard on leaders' initiave, emphasizing quick tactical thinking within the framework of the higher headquarters' plan.
The lynchpin of the defense is the West German Bundeswehr. The Heer operates six panzer divisions and four panzergrenadier divisions, as well as an airborne (Luftlande) division and a mountain (Gebirgs) division. Their mastery of combined arms tactics, combined with economic and industrial might, gives the Federal Republic some of the best units in the game. Panzergrenadier brigades combine two mechanized battalions, a mixed battalion, a tank battalion, and an artillery battalion. The four-battalion structure gives the commander his own reserve force to support the main effort. The Germans not only have excellent infantry, but the West's first true infantry fighting vehicle, the Marder, armed with a 20 mm autocannon, a MILAN ATGM, and a LMG. PzG are still equipped with the Leopard I, a proven main battle tank that was top-of-the-line in the 1970s and is still a match for Warsaw Pact armoured vehicles. The Panzergrenadier brigade thus has:
PzG Marder x 2 (6-8)
PzG mixed (6-7)
Leo I Pz Bn (7-6)
Pz Artillery (6-6)
Panzermörser (1-1)
Active Duty (4-4)
Note the advantage of the German 155 mm guns over a similar-sized unit of 122 mm Gvozdikas in the Soviet tank regiment. Although both sides had digitized fire control mechanisms at this time, the German guns have a bonus in caliber and communications. Thus, the Panzergrenadier Brigade stands at 36-42...more than a match for a single BMP motor-rifle regiment at 26-33, but with only two brigades to a division compared to the Soviets' three regiments.
The Panzer brigades have the new Leopard 2A4. This monstrous weapon is the first of the modern tanks and one of the best. Its high velocity 120 mm smoothbore, combined with thermal sights, ballistic computerized fire control, and LRF means that it is utterly deadly on the battlefield. More than the machines though, the German tankers are among the world's most professional. There are 17 Panzer brigades, and you will learn to use them and keep them alive as long as possible. Their statistics are:
Leo 2 Pz Bn x 2 (12-9)
Leo 2 Mixed (10-9)
PzG Marder (6-8)
Pz Artillery (6-6)
Panzermörser (1-1)
Active Duty (4-4)
This gives the Panzer brigade a crushing 51-46 A/D. Part of the disparity between a Panzer brigade and a Soviet Tank Regiment is not only the equipment or training, but number of vehicles. The Panzer brigade has 110 tanks vs the Tank Regiment's 90. Not to mention a high morale factor for an army fighting for its own families and homes.
The West Germans also have a fully mobilized Territorial Heer. This consists of a number of brigades represented by Leopard 1, M48, and M113 units. Although they start at reserve strength (that is, no hit point bonus or 4-4 combat bonus), they will rapidly get their first taste of combat as Soviet divisions smash through front-line units. Furthermore, there are numerous Defense District Commands. Their primary purpose is to support combat units, conduct engineer tasks, and protect critical areas in cooperation with State and Federal authorities, but when forward detachments start rolling into towns and advance on key bridges and road networks, these men provide a last ditch defense with small arms and light rockets.
The Luftwaffe consists of venerable F-4 Phantom squadrons, alpha jet light attack squadrons, and the powerful Tornado squadrons. The Tornados are dangerous in the air, have excellent range, and are utterly deadly to ground units. Their biggest drawback is size: they consist of 18 aircraft per squadron which gives them only 3/4 the strength of a full 24-aircraft unit. NATO active duty air units, however, start the game as elite due to the very high level of tactical training they undergo in peacetime. NATO reserve air units also start at veteran status, as even reserve pilots have plenty of experience and continuous training. It is these factors that make NATO air units dangerous to the Warsaw Pact. A Luftwaffe Tornado squadron has an in-game range of 26, A/D of 27 (3 x 7 + 6 for elite), and a lethal land bombard of 30 with 4 RoF. The Bundesmarine's three Tornado squadrons, however, have 24 aircraft per squadron and operate at an incredible A/D of 34 (4 x 7 + 6) with lethal sea as well. The West Germans can activate F104s, Ginas (with new graphics thanks to Top Gun), and retired F4Fs with the right tech. But time is against them. The aggressive Soviet commander will drive to overrun the airbases, even as it pounds forward and seeks to exterminate West Germany from the map. For the West German player, it will be one of the toughest challenges to just survive, and maybe keep the tiny flame of hope alive in the southwest for the chance at a counterattack.
...Next, small in numbers but heavy in the punch are the NORTHAG powers, from versatile F-16s to the awesome Challenger main battle tank.
Was quite burned out from modding, especially graphics. Then eased back in a little by working on another little ongoing Civ 3 project. I've been chipping away at this again. No chance of it getting abandoned, it just takes a long time. Right now it's building graphics and civilopedia entries. Haven't messed with the units for a while. The animations and attacks are passable but my attempts at explosions and death anim are deplorable. 
I'll go back and try again at some point. Meanwhile, there may be some very pertinent and excellent units for the scenario in the future from more reliable sources. 
