Talk:List of Urcean armored vehicles: Difference between revisions

== History ==

The early phase of the Great War included an invasion of eastern Burgundie by Derian nationalists in 1927 which was stopped by layers of trenches buttressed with interlocking fire from machine guns. This new defense tactic stopped the nearly entirely infantry-based nationalist Legion. Artillery barrages proved unable to break the trenches, and Derian forces soon emulated them, leading to opposing networks of trenches. Observers from the Royal and Imperial Army hypothesized that a heavily armored vehicle used in a massed advance could break the lines. While Urcea has several models of licensed armored vehicles and tanks from overseas, none of them were satisfactory for use against Derian trenches. Consequently, the Army provided specifications for a new armored vehicle and began a design competition to provide the best new domestic-designed tank for use in Dericania. The design that would become the SAV-5 won the competition and subsequently began production in 1929. SAV-5's were instrumental in the Royal and Imperial Army's advances in 1931, executing a flanking operation around Corcra, restoring the Imperial capital to Urcean control. The tanks suffered a number of design problems relating to its reliability, and most deployed units suffered major breakdowns in 1931-1932 during the wet season in Dericania. The SAV-5 was evalutated by the Yonderian Armed Forces in early 1933 but was ultimately turned down in favor of the AMG-34. The SAV-5 remained Urcea's primary armored vehicle through 1937, when it was gradually phased out or sent for duty in the Audonian theater of the Great War. Military advisers and reconnaissance in Sarpedon through 1935 revealed the need for a heavier, better-armed tank, as the Imperial Legion already had tanks similar to the the SAV-5. As the Royal and Imperial Army deployed to Sarpedon in 1938, it retained a number of SAV-5's to fill the need for armor until more SAV-6 units were delivered. The SAV-5 continued to serve admirably as a light infantry support tank in Veltorina, but its design shortfalls and reliability issues remained consistent. SAV-5's were gradually taken off the front and replaced with the SAV-7 by 1940.