WC1SA14 Wombat

The SA14 is a variant of the WC1 Tankette carrying surface-to-air missiles to provide mechanized anti-air capabilities to airborne troops. MANPADS are generally less effective in range and mobility despite normally being the only viable solution to paratroopers. The SA14 seeks to fill this capability gap. The missile has also be stated to be effective against fast ground units too. Some politicians have criticized the army for its procurement as a waste of money. The criticisms have mostly revolved around the fact that paratroopers would require air superiority for their transport aircraft to safely conduct its mission in the first place thus rendering SPAA platforms redundant. The army refuted these criticisms by citing that only regional air control with the help of escort fighters are necessary for airborne operations. Once the transporter and its associated escort have left the area, the airborne would generally be left without adequate protections. Although other criticisms still persists such as the expectation that airborne units would be engaged by significant enemy air or armored assets for example instead of rear echelon units. In response the army explained, "it is the adversary that decides what assets to deploy in response to any of our airborne operations. While paradropped behind enemy lines will definitely encounter weaker rear echelon units, the adversary may also have far better equipped reserves that it can commit. We are simply providing our troops the capability to respond to any contingency. And should we encounter only enemy rear echelon units, our Wombat equipped paratroopers can still enjoy the benefits of overmatch in capabilities." Blocks: 84 Volume: 111 cubic meter Cost: 5,054 Weight: 4,095 Length: 10m (hull), 11m (gun) Width: 4m (Hull), 8m (Total) Height: 4m Speed: 22 m/s Weapon system: Surface-to-Air Missiles