A new update is now live in World of Tanks, bringing both the North American and European editions of Wargaming.net's MMOTPS to version 7.1. This offers the promised first batch of French units, and they say the second set of units from France will come in an update later this year. Word is:

Wargaming.net, the award-winning videogame publisher and developer, is proud to present the long-anticipated line of the French tanks available in the all-new Update 7.1 for its free-to-play action MMO World of Tanks.

French vehicles will invade World of Tanks in two steps, and their first line available as of today features light, medium, and heavy tanks. Just as their historical prototypes, the in-game machines will have unique features and modules, including automatic loading system and oscillating turrets that will enrich gameplay diversity and require different tactical approach from players.

"Our players already know how to play with the "big three" tank nations, but the French are all-different," says Mike Zhivets, Lead Game Designer for World of Tanks. "You'll have to reconsider the way you think tanks behave before they let you tame them. And that's what we love them for!"

The second part of the French vehicles will appear later in 2012 and will include tank destroyers and SPGs.