PzVg 71

The Panzervagn 71, known as the MBT M1971 in Seaboard Free State service, is a Main Battle tank jointly produced and designed by Suecia and the Seaboard Free State. Originally developed in the late 1950s, the prototype was shelved until the late 1960s, when the Seaboard Free State began collaborating on the project through their Gathering of Non-Aligned States military attaches.

The PzVg71 is notable for lacking a turret entirely; instead directly mounting it's 115mm Rensselaer Armory rifled anti-tank gun inside of the hull. This arrangement, although experimented with until the 2nd Homeland War, would later fall out of favor; to date, the PzVg71 is the only Main Battle Tank to employ this arrangement. Despite eventual developments in armor reducing the effectiveness of it's main gun, the PzVg71 has been upgraded consistently, and remains a key part of the Free State People's Army tank force.

Background
The defense strategy of Suecia was always based on fighting a defensive war; due to the consistent neutrality of Suecia, there were fears of either a Schwikauan invasion or an invasion from their Anti-communist neighbors during a war with Schwikau. Although several classes of tanks had been imported by Suecia, a perennial desire within the Defense Ministry was to establish self-sufficient production of armor; with the prestige this would bring within GNAS in addition to the practical benefits of not relying on outside sources. Development on the PzVg101 began in 1956, but was plagued with several problems; including unavailability for license production of the chosen weapon M1947 Anti-Tank Gun produced by Avalonia's Vallazo Armory; lack of suitable diesel engines, and underpowering of the main turbine. Although 2 prototypes were produced; both lacked functioning main guns, and primarily served to test the casemate and suspension of the design. Eventually, Suecia settled on purchasing a further order of UBT-56 tanks from Schwikau; and the prototypes were stored.

During the 8 Year War, the SFSPA clandestinely deployed several advisory units to Chorezm; both out of an ideological commitment and to gather data on modern armored combat. During the initial period of deployment; several major armored engagements took place, including the Battle of Ugarit. During these actions, where both sides would often operate the same armor, several pieces of concerning data were found regarding survivability of un-modified UBT-56 tanks; especially against more modern guns and ATGMs.

At the time, the primary defensive concern of the SFSPA would be a possible land invasion by an irredentist Avalonia; in such a situation, no corners could be cut with crew or tank survivability. In addition, beyond experience gained, it was felt that gaining independence from Schwikauan armor sales would lead to greater sovereignty in the long-term; and allow the newly state-owned defense sector to prove its competence.

In the late 1960s, the Seaboard Free State People's Army was exiting a period of reform primarily aiming to demobilize the majority of troops who had fought during the War of Liberation. As part of this, the relatively haphazard armored force was organized into a formation based on that used by Schwikau; Mechanized Divisions, which would primarily consist of mechanized infantry with armor to support them, and Armored Divisions, which would primarily consist of tanks, with some mechanized infantry units to support them.

Following the introduction of the UBT-70 in both SFS and SHSR service, this was built upon; with Mechanized Infantry getting the cheaper and easier-to-produce UBT-56, and Tank divisions getting the more complex, auto-loading UBT-70. Despite the readiness of the SHSR to export spare parts and vehicles to the Seaboard Free State, and the granting of production licences for the UBT-56 and variants, the SHSR would not grant a licence to produce UBT-70 tanks; ostensibly due to the amount of features considered classified and the very real possibility of Avalonian intelligence infiltration of production faciltiies.

Among the Progressive wing of the Seaboard Free State's Senate, the reliance on vehicles manufactured and supplied solely by the SHSR was seen as a threat to national and military sovereignty; and an effort was led by them to develop a tank which was, wholly or primarily, indigenous.

During a bilateral military meeting following the admittance of Suecia to the Gathering of Non-Aligned States; the topic of indigenous tanks was bought up, and the Free State and Suecia both agreed to resume development and production of the PzVg71.

PzVg101
The PzVg101, was conceptualized based on a Suecian need for a new Main Battle Tank; specifically to counter developments in both Capitalist and Schwikauan armor. Development began on an indigenous tank in 1955, with several conceptual designs being considered. Sven Jannesen, the principal designed for the PzVg101, was heavily inspired by the experiences of Assault Gun crewmen during the 2nd Homeland War; and as part of development, he was given the chance to inspect several pieces of armor both from that era and from more recent times.

Although Jannesen and his team had intended to fit a Gullspång 90mm Anti-Tank gun to the PzVg - similar to existing weapons already used by the Suecian army - trials showed that this - and it's competitor, a similar 90mm low-pressure gun primarily using HEAT rounds - were both woefully inadequate against existing UBT-56 export vehicles in service with Suecia. As using a 115mm gun would result in a vehicle too large for the existing specification, it was eventually settled on licencing an Avalonian 100mm gun. However, Avalonian foreign policy in the 1950s was to prevent weaponry from being exported to states even marginally friendly to Schwikau, and the deal fell through. In addition, the SuVAG Gas Turbine engine expected to provide the main power for the PzVg101 was notably under-powered.

Although SuVAG had moved into the development stage of the chassis and casement prototype; and successfully demonstrated the innovative suspension - which also served as a means to traverse the gun, the prototypes and project were both abandoned; with favorable prices on UBT-56 tanks sealing the vehicle's fate.

PzVg71
In 1971. both prototypes were moved to the FSPA's artillery proving grounds at Fort Locke, located near Hampton. Evaluators were immediately impressed by the unique design features of the PzVg71; especially the low profile. Based on previous experience with the M1968 Tarantula, the FSPA immediately began attempting to down-size the 115mm Rensselaer 15b Anti-Tank Gun; although it was designed for the Tarantula, it was unable to fit, and the M1968 would instead solely mount the license-produced 82mm Schofield Gun-Mortar.

The 15b was competitive with most existing armor available for testing; including an Avalonian M1953 MBT, and several UBT-56 and UBT-70 variants. Although the upgrade required several modifications to be done to the PzVg's interior, it was able to eventually fit, and was fitted to a slightly-modified version of the Suecian autoloader planned for the 100mm gun.

Further modifications included fitting of a FSEMC V6, a license-produced version of an IAV design, and fitting a Electric Yacht Model 100A Gas Turbine; outputting 400HP. Although the stated Suecian design goal was to eliminate the third crewman; testing by the FSPA found this put an unacceptable workload on the commander; and re-introduced the third crewman.

The PzVg71's final prototype was constructed in the Berwind Tractor Plant in late 1971; and the design was finalized by the winter. In total, following the development program, a total of 350 were pocured by the Suecian army and produced by SUVAG, while a total of 515 were produced by the BTP. In Suecian service, the design allowed for replacement of many earlier armored vehicles.

Main Battle Tank, M1971, Forester
In the SFSPA, the PzVg was designated the M1971 Forester, after Leon Forester, who led one of the earliest and most important slave revolts during the first Civil War. The M1971 was effectively the same vehicle as the PzVg71, aside from changing the hull guns to standard-issue vehicle-mount M1948A3 7.62mm machine guns. The first M1971s entered service with the 1st Tank Division, operating primarily out of the Porthdarren Military Reservation on King's Island.

Although many conservative sectors of the Free State's government; in particular, many officers who had originally defected from Avalonia, were concerned about the M1971's lack of turret, it was found that, in comparisons with UBT-70 tanks, the M1971 would be able to shoot at a roughly comparable RPM; while maintaining a lower profile and higher speed.

However, the M1971 was not without flaws; it was conceived in 1955, well before the advent of modern gun stabilization technology. While the M1971 would prove a stable firing platform, it would only be able to truly traverse while it was stopped or otherwise unable to engage enemy forces; while modern armor would be able to fire while moving. This would prove the primary drawback of the otherwise well-designed vehicle.

Diplomatic Repercussions
In addition, the M1971's primary downside would be unrelated to performance. Shortly after the official unveiling of the M1971 at the Millport 1972 Liberation Day parade, the Free State ambassador to the Schwikau Union Republic, Andrew King, was immediately summoned