But by what right should the OKW Tiger be straight up better than the Ostheer one?
The Tiger should not be an exception to this. It even gets a discount for its vet 4 and 5 requirements while all the other units have requirements that are exponentionally higher than their vet 3's.
It shouldn't be better and it isn't right now. I;m not asking for better vet bonuses for OKW Tiger. The command ability - in form you are proposing - has his pros and cons therefore will be used only for mass group of units. This plus high vet requirement will make this ability rare to see. But even with it OKW Tiger isn't a unit more tempting to use than ostheer version.
+20% reload time isn't a whole lot when vet 3 already gave -30% reload time and -20% accuracy is negated by vet 2's +20% accuracy and can even be compensated more by the Panzer Commander's +10% accuracy bonus if you're planning on using the ability a lot.
If you are adding the ability try to make it as best as you can in form of balance, performance etc. You can't just add the ability that no1 will use (becouse it's too expensive, weak, unatractive) just to shut the mouth of people who wanted the CommandTiger and call it a day. I do always agree that OKW vet4-5 should give a certain abilities to units that are effective but more situational and therefore it makes units more unique. But this... this is like vet5 LeFH that literally no1 ever used. In that case you guys just waste your time in creating that ability. If you don't see Tiger as a command unit then change the direction. Remove the abilities and give them something extra, for example stationary ambush ability and single suppression shot (abilities that cost ammo and can be used on the field).
To be specific, I'm not saying the aura itself is weak but it shouldn't nerf the Tiger and also had ammunition cost in the same time. From a vet3 beast you make Tiger vet0 unit in exchange of better performance of nearbly troops. Tiger vet bonuses are one of the best in game and i;m giving up them in exchange of better army - sound fine and fair. But in that case it shouldn't have any ammunition cost.
I also agree that if Tiger is currently tied to tech it's worth give community posibility to test reduce price of a tank and see how it goes.