Nizam-I Cedit Infantry (ETW Unit)
These troops of the “new model” army are armed, equipped and trained in the latest Western European military fashion.
Overview
Fighting in formal order with tight control and disciplined fire is a new idea for Turkish forces; the traditional method has usually involved heavily-armed and very brave men hurling themselves pell-mell at the enemy. The nizam-I cedit fight just as bravely, but with much more organization. This “new model” army is such a break with the past that it has even adopted european-style military dress for the most part.
Historically, the Nizam-I Cedit reforms were made vital by the repeatedly poor performance of the Ottoman armies against the Russians. The Empire’s inability to defend itself against a growing Slavic threat, and European predatory moves, was the reason why Turkey became the “sick man of Europe”. The French Revolutionary Republic (anxious for any allies at the time) provided much of the starting expertise that the Ottomans required for retraining their army in modern tactics and methods. The process was not without problems, though. The janissaries resented their loss of privileges and position and eventually the corps had to be disbanded.
Details
Nizam-I Cedit infantry are a Line Infantry unit available only to the Ottoman Empire. They infantry are, statistically, some of the best line infantry in the game, comparable to Prussian line infantry in terms of firepower but also with superior melee statistics. They are apt at fulfilling all of the duties of regular Line Infantry and can outclass most European units of equal or inferior equipment. However they are only recruitable when the European Doctrine technology has been researched, which takes a while to complete. This means that the Nizam-I Cedit Infantry will only be available in the mid to late game.