Somua SAu 40

Somua SAu 40 stats at a glance

The Somua SAu 40 has 344 hit points , 36mm of frontal hull armor , and a top speed of 37 km/h. Its strongest gun configuration deals 410 damage per shot with 53mm of armor penetration , giving it a theoretical maximum DPM of 2895. The vehicle can equip 3 different gun configurations, allowing for varied playstyles.

Hull & survivability

The front-to-side armor ratio is 1.0:1. Side armor is relatively comparable to the front, meaning the SAu 40 can absorb some side hits in close-quarters fighting.

Mobility

Forward-to-reverse speed ratio is 3.1:1. Reverse speed is limited, so pre-aim and exposure timing matter more on this vehicle.

Camouflage

Available guns (3)

With the top-tier gun, the SAu 40 can theoretically output up to 2895 damage per minute at sustained fire (shot damage × rounds per minute). Lower-tier guns generally trade DPM for faster reload or better handling — see the full gun table above.

How SAu 40 compares to its peers

There are 15 tier 4 tank destroyers in WoT, including the SAu 40. Its 344 HP places it in the top 7% for hit points among same-tier tank destroyers (peer average: 312). Frontal hull armor of 36mm ranks in the top 57% for the class (peer average: 40mm). Top forward speed of 37 km/h is faster than 7% of peer vehicles in this tier and class. The strongest gun deals 410 damage per shot, higher than 93% of comparable vehicles. Best penetration of 53mm puts it in the top 93% for armor-piercing capability in its class.

Direct comparisons

• SAu 40 vs T40 — tier 4 tank destroyer from USA
• SAu 40 vs M8A1 — tier 4 tank destroyer from USA
• SAu 40 vs SU-76G FT — tier 4 tank destroyer from China
• See full tier 4 tank destroyer tier list — all 15 vehicles ranked

Related tier 4 tank destroyers

• Alecto — UK
• Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer — Germany
• Type 1 Ho-Ni II — Japan, premium
• M8A1 — USA
• Marder 38T — Germany
• Pz.Sfl. IC — Germany, premium
• Sav m/43 — Sweden
• StuG III Ausf. B — Germany
• All France tanks · Tier 4 premium tanks

Understand the stats

Want a deeper grasp of what these numbers actually mean in battle? Read the glossary:

• What is DPM — the most important offensive metric
• Alpha damage — single-shot damage and what it means for playstyle
• Penetration — and how it interacts with armor angling
• Hull-down position — the king of defensive plays
• View range — how spotting actually works

About this vehicle

A project for an SPG to support light mechanized units. Designed from 1935 through 1937 on the basis of the S35 and S40 vehicles. The design featured a modified upper part of the armored hull with the 75-mm casemate Mle 1929 gun. The top of the cabin featured a single-seated turret with the 7,5-mm Mle 1931 machinegun. The mass production of the SAu 40 was requested in October 1939. A prototype (and, according to some historical sources, four more pilot SAu 40) were sent to the frontline and used in action in June 1940.

Frequently asked