Board Thread:Suggestions forum/@comment-28153737-20161130073434/@comment-26890432-20161130220252

1) Near Haradrim were never mentioned to have Iron armour; it was explicitly stated to be bronze scales with a base of red cloth/padding. Yes, some of the Haradrim were mentioned to use Iron weapons, but the quote in which this is described pertain's to the Late Second Age/Early Third Age. We don't even know if they retained or lost this technology by the War of the Ring. (From Silmarillion, "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age). 

2) In Return of the King, and several passages of Unfinished Tales, Gondorian Soldiery is mentioned to be battle-hardened and markedly superior to that of Orcs and Evil Men. Of course they would be able to 1v1 most other mannish warriors. How else do you think the kingdom was able to at least hold off the onslaught of Mordor, Rhun, and Harad?

3) Now for In-game balance. Near Harad has Horse-Archers, which Gondor does not. These are effective mobile ranged units. And Near Harad still has weapons that are equal to Gondor's. Also, Mumakil in the future: those will surely pick up the slack of Near Harad's armour rating and then some by offering a massive and powerful unit for the faction.