I don't know what you mean by them being in a "bad place".
Also, how does this "require" the addition of numerous light vehicles that can easily replace these heavy weapons into the non-doc build?
So, the Americans mg is weak. They cant get it out of the gate as to the power of rifleman. You also have to choose between mg or at gun. That is in a bad place. The 57mm is the worst mainline at gun in the game. Its on the faction that needs it the most. Problem.
I would say the the british mg dies less easily. The arc maby, the long busts, or the time it hits the field. Not sure, but the 50 cal still gets wiped quite often.
So increasing there durability and there effectiveness is needed. IMO.
If you were to put the weapons teams in tier o unlocked after the purchase of any officer; in the in the tiers where the weapons were is an empty space. Thus needs filling. Having only two available units in each tier would be a simple joke about lack of virsatility. And there are enough about the americans as is.
It might be cool if the exta weapon was only useable when the team had three members or higher. It make Since. And why the hell not. Keeps youre teams healthy.