The Western Alliance expands with a new line of German light tanks and tank destroyers. Get the vehicles’ details right here!

Fast-moving firepower is at your disposal, Commander, thanks to the latest Tech Tree vehicles coming to Cold War mode!

Arriving on February 20th and branching off from the M46A1 Patton, this line features a mix of classes and includes six vehicles – four light tanks and two tank destroyers:

• RU 251 Post-War Era (Era 1) Western Alliance Light Tank
• Kanonenjagdpanzer 4-5 Post-War Era (Era 1) Western Alliance Tank Destroyer
• Raketenjagdpanzer 2 Escalation Era (Era 2) Western Alliance Tank Destroyer
• Marder 1A1 Escalation Era (Era 2) Western Alliance Light Tank
• BegleitPanzer 57 Escalation Era (Era 2) Western Alliance Light Tank
• Marder 1A3 Détente Era (Era 3) Western Alliance Light Tank

Versatility is the theme with this line. These vehicles promise a variety of playstyles down the entire branch, with single-fire guns, ATGM-only vehicles, and both autocannons and ATGM launchers as secondary weapons in the mix.

Get to know each vehicle below!

RU 251

• Era: Post War (Era 1)
• Class: Light Tank
• Unlock requirement: 15,400 XP
• Purchase cost: 250,000 Silver
• Unlocked with the M46A1 Patton
• Gives access to the Kanonenjagdpanzer 4-5

The Spähpanzer RU 251 was developed to replace the aging M41 Walker Bulldogs still in use with West Germany’s army in the 1960s. Fitted with the same chassis and 90mm gun as the Kanonenjagdpanzer 4-5 vehicle, this tank was intended to serve as a light reconnaissance tank. However, the Leopard 1 was ultimately chosen for production instead. The Spähpanzer RU 251 existed only in prototype form.

Kanonenjagdpanzer 4-5

• Era: Post War (Era 1)
• Class: Tank Destroyer
• Unlock requirement: 45,000 XP
• Purchase cost: 760,000 Silver
• Unlocked with the RU 251
• Gives access to the Raketenjagdpanzer 2

The first prototypes of the Kanonenjagdpanzer, also known as the Jagdpanzer Kanone 90 mm, were produced in 1960 by the Hanomag and Henschel companies for the FRG. Production continued until 1967. A total of 770 vehicles for the Bundeswehr and 80 for the Belgian Armed Forces were built. However, in 1985, the vehicle was deemed outdated. Some of them were converted into artillery observation vehicles and others were refitted into anti-tank guided missile carriers. Some Kanonenjagdpanzer remained in service until 1990.

Raketenjagdpanzer 2

• Era: Escalation (Era 2)
• Class: Tank Destroyer
• Unlock requirement: 90,000 XP
• Purchase cost: 1,760,000 Silver
• Unlocked with the Kanonenjagdpanzer 4-5
• Gives access to the Marder 1A1

In response to Soviet armored vehicle doctrine, West Germany worked throughout the 1960s to develop an effective tank destroyer to field in addition to its main battle tanks. The Raketenjagdpanzer, also called the Jagdpanzer Raketes, was built using the same chassis as the 90mm Jagdpanzer Kanone. Its primary armament was an SS-11 anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) system; a 7.62mm machine gun served as a secondary weapon. Production ended in 1968, with several units later upgraded to become the Jaguar 1.

Marder 1A1

• Era: Escalation (Era 2)
• Class: Light Tank
• Unlock requirement: 150,000 XP
• Purchase cost: 2,800,000 Silver
• Unlocked with the Raketenjagdpanzer 2
• Gives access to the BegleitPanzer 57

Developed in the 1960s, the Marder 1 was an infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) produced jointly by the firms Rheinstahl and MaK, with the German army taking possession of the first units in 1970. The Marder was larger than other IFVs and offered protection comparable to that of a main battle tank. The Marder 1A1 variant was produced between 1979 and 1982 and was notable for the double ammunition feed for its automatic cannon. Several 1A1 units were also upgraded with night vision equipment.

BegleitPanzer 57

• Era: Escalation (Era 2)
• Class: Light Tank
• Unlock requirement: 170,000 XP
• Purchase cost: 3,900,000 Silver
• Unlocked with the Marder 1A1
• Gives access to the Marder 1A3

The BegleitPanzer 57 was designed to provide infantry support as an Armored Infantry Support Vehicle (AIFSV). Built on the Marder armored personnel carrier chassis, it featured an exposed Bofors 57 mm autocannon and a TOW anti-tank guided missile (ATGM). The Bofors 57 mm was a ship-based anti-aircraft cannon, re-purposed to provide anti-vehicular and anti-personnel fire. Due to a lack of interest from potential buyers, only one prototype was constructed in 1978.

Marder 1A3

• Era: Détente (Era 3)
• Class: Light Tank
• Unlock requirement: 190,000 XP
• Purchase cost: 4,800,000 Silver
• Unlocked with the BegleitPanzer 57
• End of branch

The Marder 1 was an infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) produced jointly by the firms Rheinstahl and MaK, with the German army taking possession of the first units in 1970. Between the late 1980s and 1998, almost 2,100 units received the updates that were part of the Marder 1A3 package. These included additional hull armor, a new roof hatch arrangement, and added stowage boxes, making the 1A3 variant one of the heaviest IFVs produced at the time.