Baltic Battalion - Dev Diary
Baltic Battalion army specialization
Located in Europe’s far northeastern edge, the three Baltic states, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia; are bordered by mainland Russia to the east, Belarus to the south, and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad to the west. This geography leaves them connected to their NATO allies only through a narrow corridor with Poland known as the Suwałki Gap, a critical lifeline in the event of a conflict with Russia. This strategic position forms the backdrop of the Broken Arrow campaign, “War in the Baltic”.
The Baltic Battalion is a new army specialization that can be combined with any existing U.S. specialization to create the game’s first coalition battlegroup. As additional nations are introduced in future updates, even more coalition combinations will become possible.
With very limited air power, the Baltic States compensate by fielding a strong mix of motorised and mechanised troops equipped with European-made vehicles and weapons. This provides a wide variety of tactical options, though most units are available only in limited numbers.
Compared to U.S. and Russian specializations, the Baltic Battalion offers a broader selection of infantry, as each role is represented by a variant from each of the three countries.
RECONNAISSANCE
Reconnaissance vehicles
Scimitar:
This small armoured reconnaissance vehicle, part of the CVR-T family purchased by Latvia from the United Kingdom, is fast and equipped with a 30 mm RARDEN autocannon manually reloaded using three-round clips. While this weapon does not match the rate of fire of Bushmaster chain guns, it still delivers considerable firepower, particularly at short range.
Spartan:
Another variant of the CVR-T family acquired from the United Kingdom, this lighter vehicle is capable of transporting a recon squad. Upgrade options allow it to be fitted with a remote‑controlled turret armed with a heavy machine gun, an automatic grenade launcher, or even Spike LR top‑attack anti‑tank missiles.
TGB-1111:
An old Swedish vehicle acquired by Estonia, that can be equipped as a tank hunter either with a 90mm recoilless rifle PV-1110 or with an RBS 56 ATGM. While the ATGM has limited range, it’s overfly top-attack warhead allows it to bypass the frontal armor of tanks to hit their more vulnerable roof armor.
Wolf WMIK:
This rugged British made 4x4 vehicle transports recon infantry faster than any other, ensuring they reach the contested areas ahead of the enemy. It is equipped with a medium and a heavy machine gun that can be swapped for an automatic grenade launcher.
Combat recon:
These units benefit from superior stealth and optics but also represent a meaningful threat with some considerable firepower.
Jegeris (Lithuania):
A versatile special forces unit from the Vytautas the Great Jaeger Battalion (Vytauto Didžiojo jėgerių batalionas) they are equipped for deep reconnaissance and direct action behind enemy lines with HK-416A5 rifles, Minimi Mk.3 chambered in 7.62, SCAR-H Tactical precision Rifle and Carl Gustaf M4 84mm recoilless rifle.
Eesti Scouts (Estonia):
The Estonian Scouts Battalion (Scoutspataljon) is a highly trained and well-equipped rapid reaction force. In the game, the unit is outfitted with some of the latest weaponry adopted by Estonia, including R-20 Rahe assault rifles, R-20L designated marksman rifles, the Negev NG7 machine gun, and the Spike SR anti-tank missile system.
The Spike SR (Short Range) differs significantly from the Spike LR (Long Range) variant. It is a shoulder-launched, fire-and-forget missile designed to fill the gap between unguided shoulder-fired rockets and longer-range anti-tank guided missiles, providing infantry with an effective short-range anti-armor capability.
SUV (Latvia):
The Special Task Unit, or SUV (Speciālo uzdevumu vienība), is a Latvian special forces unit. In the game, they are represented as a reconnaissance unit focused on anti-infantry operations. They are equipped with suppressed G36K rifles, shotguns, RBG-6 multiple grenade launchers, and flashbang grenades, making them an effective force in close-quarters combat.
Infiltrators:
These units have limited combat capabilities and can be rapidly overwhelmed but they excel at infiltrating enemy lines to provide valuable information.
KNT (Lithuania):
The Lithuanian Combat Divers Service (KNT - Kovinių narų tarnyba) is a branch of the special operations forces specialized in amphibious warfare.
This amphibious unit armed with suppressed MP5’s can infiltrate through waterways and emerge in the back of unsuspecting enemies, providing valuable recon of enemy front and backlines.
Snaiprid (Estonia):
This Estonian sniper team operates in pairs, consisting of a shooter equipped with a Hécate II heavy sniper rifle and a spotter carrying an R-20L, a 7.62 mm designated marksman variant of the R-20 Rahe, which allows them to support the sniper while maintaining firepower of their own.
Snaiperu Komanda (Latvia):
A three man Latvian sniper team armed with an Accuracy International AXMC chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum (8.58 × 70 mm), a powerful and highly accurate cartridge designed for engaging targets at extreme ranges. The second sniper carries an Accuracy International Arctic Warfare rifle chambered in 7.62 mm, providing reliable precision at medium to long distances. The third team member provides security for the unit with a G36 fitted with an under-barrel grenade launcher.
INFANTRY
Mechanized infantry:
Jalaväe Jagu (Estonia):
This Estonian infantry 8 man squad is equipped with R-20 Rahe rifles, M203 grenade launchers, a MG3 machine gun, a Galatz 7.62mm designated marksman rifle derived from the Galil and Spike SR anti-tank missiles.
They are best utilized at mid-range because the Spike has a minimum arming distance superior to unguided RPGs.
Geležinis Vilkas (Lithuania):
The Lithuanian Iron Wolf squad is a well-rounded eight-man unit equipped with G36 rifles and grenade launchers, supported by a Ksp 58B machine gun and a FN SCAR‑H precision rifle. The squad also fields a Carl Gustaf M3 recoilless rifle for anti-armor capabilities. This loadout allows the unit to remain flexible and capable across a wide range of combat situations.
Mehanizētie Kājinieki (Latvia):
The Latvian 8-man infantry squad is equipped with G36 and grenade launchers like their Lithuanian counterparts but use Minimi light machine guns and AT4 disposable rocket launchers as force multipliers. They are more suited for short range engagements.
Volunteer Forces:
Kaitseliit (Estonia):
The Estonian Defence League is a voluntary national defence organization. It is represented as smaller 5-man squads equipped with reserve-issue weaponry: Galil rifles, Negev NG5 light machine gun and B-300 rocket launcher firing high-explosive anti-personal rockets.
KASP (Lithuania):
The Lithuanian National Defence Volunteer Forces (Krašto Apsaugos Savanorių Pajėgos) are equipped with G-36 and M72A2 LAW disposable anti tank launchers. Although this older anti-tank rocket is no longer effective against modern tanks, it can still do damage to lighter vehicles.
Zemessardze (Latvia):
The Latvian National Guard (Latvijas Republikas Zemessardze) is represented as a 5-man squad equipped with older G3 rifles, HK 79N underbarrel grenade launcher, MG3 machine gun and Carl Gustaf M2 rocket launcher.
While the G3 rifles are older systems they offer a superior range compared to the more modern rifles with a smaller caliber.
Special Forces:
ESTSOF (Estonia):
The Estonian special forces consist of elite soldiers who regularly participate in foreign deployment alongside the US SOF but they also stand ready to fight a high intensity conflict closer to home.
In the game they are represented as a 9-man squad equipped with R-20S Carbines, M203, MG4 machine guns and C90-CR-BK dual purpose rocket launchers able to take down both infantry and armored vehicles.
Žaliukai (Lithuania):
The Lithuanian green boys is a 9-man squad specialized in close quarter combat, armed with suppressed HK416A5 and Minimi light machine guns, shotguns and M72A10 LAW with high explosive rockets as well as flashbangs - they are designed and excel in rapidly clearing buildings.
Anti-tank teams:
Milan (Estonia):
The Milan is an old French made ATGM with limited range but a lot of punch as it can pierce up to 1000mm of armor. This team uses two launchers at once to compensate for the lower reliability of this weapon.
Javelin (Lithuania):
The American Javelin top-attack anti-tank missile has been purchased by both Estonia and Lithuania but in larger quantities by the latter so we have represented the infantry squad carrying them as a Lithuanian unit in the game. This is a 4-man team with a single launcher and carrying 6 missiles.
Spike LR (Latvia):
The Spike LR (long range) is a fire and forget top-attack anti-tank missile similar to the American Javelin but with more range, making this Latvian 4-man team a deadly threat to any armored vehicles, including tanks, within a large radius.