Update 1.1 adds a new pistol (APS), SMG (KEDR), renames the PP-19 to the Bizon, adds a new rifle (SKS Rifle) and a light tank (PT-76). They don't have that much impact on the game.

Armour protection rating was based off me shooting friendlies wearing each armour type at close range in the chest with a RPK.

Sights are really just for the player and are personal preference. They don't seem to impact AI.
PG07 is a requirement to unlock the RPG-23M and is automatically equipped on it.

Similarly, suppressors don't appear to have a damage dropoff and don't impact AI detection of your position from what I can see - but the AI isn't exactly razor sharp to start with...

Currently these are identical across factions.

All the pistols are equally garbage. There is no reason to even bother researching them - get your dudes equipped with rifles ASAP! Whilst there doesn't seem to be a way of equipping pistols as a secondary in the squad editor, I have seen troops deploy with them so it's not an absolute waste if you keep instead of selling the ones you loot but I definitely wouldn't waste a factory to manufacture these.

It's strange that this faction uses the Browning HP as it's definitely not a Communist weapon. FWIW these pistols are also probably the best in the game.

Update 1.1 adds the APS which appears to be a fully auto 20 round magazine Makarov...

RPGs are a must to defeat enemy armour - at least until you get tanks. As you progress you can amass enough resources to give everyone an RPG if you want. Unfortunately the AI's use of it can be a bit trigger happy - rather than saving them for armoured targets, they will start lobbing them at infantry like it's going out of fashion.

The main upgrade of the RPG-23M is a better sight. RPGs are able to one-shot most tanks and IFVs except for the very late game ones with ERA.

Bolt action rifles are good for the AI, less so for humans. The Eastern faction also gets access to DMRs which are very powerful.

Update 1.1 adds the SKS Rifle which is a solid weapon.

The Eastern faction doesn't get any shotguns but does have some quite capable SMGs in the PP-19 Bizon. The lack of shotguns doesn't really imapct them IMO as they aren't super useful.

Update 1.1 also adds the KEDR, a pretty average SMG with a tiny magazine and average iron sights.

Assault rifles are the bread and butter of the Eastern army. All the weapons in the AK family look and perform very similar from my experience.

The East never gets access to LMGs - even though an RPK was historically one. As a result I'd probably just stick to AK12 and not bother progressing.

The Eastern faction gets access to some decent trucks, with the URAL (12.7mm) having enough armour to almost be an APC. If you have the Eastern Airborne Forces DLC I'd still suggest using the Typhoon as a support vehicle given its 30mm cannon. Whilst it can't carry as many troops as the UAZ, the 30mm cannon is deadly early on.

The Eastern faction has a roster of APCs in its own right, as well as those that come with the Eastern Airborne Forces DLC (if you have it). In this case the vanilla BTR82 is probably the only one worth actually getting. Expect stiff resistance from the Western M163 which is unlocked in 2023 and features a 20mm chaingun.

Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), or 'battle taxis' are designed to transport troops to the edge of the battlefield and provide limited fire support. Their lack of armour means that anything larger than small arms (12.7mm) can cause significant damage - an autocannon will shred through most APCs in a few seconds.

Note that most of these APCs can't fit a full squad within the vehicle - any troops on the outside will quickly get shot.

The Eastern faction has the same number of IFVs as the South and they pack a punch. The late game Terminator is classed as an IFV in-game but is closer to a tank or self-propelled anti-air (SPAA). Eastern IFVs have slightly less health than the top tier Southern IFVs but more than their Western counterparts. They have heavier weapons though.

The Terminator is the best SPAA in the game and is better than the Southern SHILKA in terms of armour and weapons. I've not classed it as a tank despite its armour and missiles because in reality (and in game), a 30mm cannon is useless against a MBT - yes the armour means you can take a few shots but you'll be dead before you chip away at the health of any MBT.

An Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) is a vehicle capable of deploying troops in combat, whilst remaining in the fight and providing direct fire support. In game, these vehicles tend to have more armour than APCs, and generally have heavier weapons with some mounting powerful autocannons and even an anti-tank missile for added punch. Whilst this means they can be used against tanks, I wouldn't recommend an extended engagement as most of the early ones can still be one-shot by anything over 105mm.

Update 1.1 adds the PT-76 which I'd class as a light tank as it can't carry troops but is a pre-req for the BMP-3. Also due to character limits I can't put it in the tank section so it's going here.

Eastern tanks are designed to compete against the best Western ones. I think the Western roster edges out the Eastern one in terms of armour and firepower (I'm also less of a fan of the sights). Whilst the East has more tanks available, they tend to have less armour. They also get access to tanks a year later than the West (excluding DLC). The West also has access to two heavy tanks whereas the East and South only have one.

The East shares some of its artillery units with the South but also has access to a number of unique ones. Whilst the TOS has more armour than the GRAD, I don't intend to deploy the MLRS forward where it is in danger. WIthout even a 7.62mm MG for self-protection it'll die pretty quickly so I normally just stick to the GRAD and enjoy the bountiful rockets.

Currently the only naval vehicle is the LCM-8 which you will need to have in order to transport your troops over water on the global map. Each carries a full squad (including vehicles) and you can only embark and disembark at a port.

There are currently other naval units in the tree but they are locked pending future release. I'll update this section when they become available.

The Eastern (and Southern) aircraft ORBAT is significantly lacking in comparison to the Western lineup. I can't tell much of a difference between the aircraft on offer. I think the SU33 fires 8 rockets instead of 4? Better than nothing, but don't expect much.

Aircraft (and anti-aircraft) mechanics are still under development at the time of writing; however, aircraft can be used to provide a significant boost to combat power and don't count against the 10 max deployed units in battle (with the exception of paratroops).

Air wings are formed from an airport. There is currently no way of determining the order they appear in the ORBAT – if you want to customise the order of your air support in battle you'll have to send aircraft away and then back as you build the wing.

Aircraft can be called in using the appropriate hotkeys during battle. You can simultaneously call in helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. Currently there doesn't seem to be a way to determine a direction of attack but I haven't seen any aircraft fly towards your troops during a bombing run (which is good).

I haven't seen any aircraft/helos shot down by enemy AA but they will try to shoot at it. Also note that all strikes are quite inaccurate – you probably won't have much success using an air strike to take out a lone tank, for example, but they are very effective against troops in the open.

There are currently other transport aircraft units in the tree but they are locked pending future release. I'll update this section when they become available.

Hopefully this guide has provided sufficient information to explain the myriad of units and equipment available - without you having to trial and error your way through production.

I'll update this as more units are released. If you spot any errors, let me know and I'll update accordingly.

If interested. you can find a link to my other faction guides below:
https://psteamcommunity.yuanyoumao.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3529905336
https://psteamcommunity.yuanyoumao.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3535540745
https://psteamcommunity.yuanyoumao.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3538429014