Welcome to the 212th War Thunder Steam Screenshot Competition!

Another week brought many great submissions from all of you! This time, we’re focusing on battles set in or beneath cloud cover. Whether your battles are on land, at sea, or in the air, capture a screenshot where the sky helps define the atmosphere! The three most popular and three selected by us will get 300 GE. See the winners down below!

Let’s begin the 212th edition of our competition!

Create a stunning screenshot and submit it on the War Thunder Steam Community Hub with the tag #WTscreen212. You have time until the 27th of February to submit your screenshot.

After that date, 6 winners will be selected (3 of which will be the highest rated by the community and 3 selected by our judges), each of which receive a reward of 300GE.

How to Participate!

Terms:

• Your screenshot must include a sky with clouds or cloudy weather.
  
• You must add the #WTscreen212 tag (title cannot have any other text in it).
  
• Artists may only win by popular vote once per four screenshot competitions.
  
• Screenshots need to be compliant with the War Thunder rules.
  
• You need to be the author of the screenshot.
  
• Screenshot needs to be new. You cannot use those which have previously been published or used in other competitions.
  
• We will only accept raw screenshots from the game. You cannot use any editing software nor any other visual enhancements (like Nvidia Ansel filters).
  
• You can use filters and settings built into War Thunder.
  
• You can use the replay functionality built into War Thunder.
  
• Rewards will be delivered to the author's account within 14 working days.
  

And now, time for the winners of the competition’s 211th edition – Iron Giants!

Winners selected via community votes:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3666341946
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3665963374
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3666756066

Winners selected by our judges:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3668559657
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3666862957
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3668079502

Each winner will get 300GE! Congratulations and see you next week!

The two-seater version of the famous Super Hornet arrives in War Thunder! This time, the F/A-18F from the Royal Australian Air Force with AIM-120D missiles and a huge arsenal against ground targets!F/A-18F: A Jet Fighter/Naval Aircraft for Great Britain (Australia) at Rank IX! At a glance:

• Twin-Seat layout
• Wide range of external hardpoints
• 12 AIM-120D AMRAAMs

 Vehicle HistoryDeveloped in tandem with the F/A-18E Super Hornet, the F model was the twin-seat variant much like the F/A-18B/D was to the A/C. Powered by the same Two F414-GE-400 turbofans as the E model, the F variant allowed for a variety of flexible mission roles operationally, as well as crew familiarisation and training.  A Royal Australian Air Force requirement came into being with the need to replace the F-111 fleet before the F-35 would become operational. In 2007, it was announced that 24 Block II F/A-18F Super Hornets would be purchased for the RAAF. With the F/A-18A already in service, this was a natural step to take. The first aircraft would be delivered in 2010 to No.1 Squadron, with all deliveries completed and the type fully operational by 2012. The Australian variants include the AN/APG-79 AESA radar package and capabilities for most integrated Super Hornet Weaponry like the AIM-120, AIM-9, JDAM and LJDAM. The F/A-18F would later be complemented by the EA-18G Growler in RAAF service. Introducing the Australian Super Hornet!G’day mates! Today, we’ll be taking a look at the Royal Australian Air Force’s F/A-18F Super Hornet, the twin-seat modification of the famous “Rhino” (or Superbug, depending on who you ask)! Armed to the teeth with a massive loadout of AMRAAMs for aerial engagements or suitably decked out for close air support with a plethora of guided ordinance, this aircraft provides a veritable toolbox for you to use within the British aviation tree! Pilots already familiar with the F/A-18E won’t be too surprised to learn that its slightly more spacious counterpart retains the same air-to-air capabilities of 12 x AIM-120C-5 / D AMRAAMs as its maximum loadout. Coupled with the AN/APG-79 AESA radar, the F/A-18F is a significant step up from the previous AF/A-18A Late and Sea Harrier FA.2 you would be stepping up from in the British Naval line. Much like those aircraft however, the “Rhino” is not something you particularly want to be getting into any dogfights or close range engagements with. While you do have AIM-9M IR missiles and a 20 mm M61A2 cannon to fall back on, this aircraft is best kept at ranges where it can launch off its AMRAAM battery and keep a distance from enemy fighters. Make best use of your AESA radar from ranges where it provides the best situational awareness and targeting. Air-to-ground however is more where the F/A-18F shines. Complementing the existing British lineups, this Super Hornet offers a massive upgrade over the earlier Australian F/A-18A Late in terms of the sheer number of hardpoints and options. Everything from JDAM-ERs, GBU-10, 12, 16, 24, 31, 38 and 62, among many other guided options are available. Along with the stalwart options like AGM-65 and many conventional bombs for when the occasion calls for it. Naturally, the F/A-18F also comes with all the modern tools you would expect for a platform from this era. Great situational awareness thanks to its RWR system and good targeting capabilities with its helmet-mounted display. Much like its single seat counterpart, the F/A-18F comes with 120 countermeasures. A respectable amount, but by no means the most at this rank. So you’ll need to be selective about how you best configure and apply them in battles. Well thats Hooroo for now! We hope you enjoyed a look at this new gem from down under. It will not be long before you can add the F/A-18F to your hangars and join your rosters within the British tree, coming in the next major update! Until the next one.  Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.

Today we’re taking a look at one of the modern variants of the US Army Stryker combat vehicle with a 30 mm automatic cannon!M1296 Dragoon: A Light Tank for the USA at Rank VIAt a glance:

• Unmanned turret with a 30 mm autocannon
• APFSDS and HE rounds
• High maximum speed
• Bulletproof armor
• Large size

 Vehicle HistoryAfter the US Army identified the need to enhance the firepower of the M1126 Stryker, a modernization program was approved in 2015 which resulted in the installation of an unmanned turret with a 30 mm stabilized cannon. This variant was intended to fill the gap between the baseline M1126 Stryker APC, equipped with only a 12.7 mm machine gun, and the M1128 Stryker MGS fire support vehicle with a 105 mm cannon. This modernization was applied to 81 vehicles of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment stationed in Germany.The intention of mounting a 30 mm cannon was to significantly increase the Stryker’s firepower while maintaining its mobility. The vehicle would be effective against enemy armored vehicles (using APFSDS rounds) and sheltered infantry (using high explosive rounds). Following a series of tests, the vehicle received the official designation M1296 and the name Infantry Carrier Vehicle, Dragoon, or ICVD. The first production upgraded M1296 Dragoon was delivered to an active unit of the US Army in Europe in December 2017, and the last one was delivered in late 2018.Introducing the M1296 Dragoon!Meet a long-awaited addition to the Stryker ranks, a support vehicle with a 30 mm autocannon! Signature maneuverability now combined with automatic fire and belts for all types of targets is coming to the game in the next War Thunder update! Let’s take a look at the Dragoon.The key differentiator of the new M1296 Dragoon from the other Strykers is its new unmanned turret with a 30 mm XM813 cannon, an evolution of the well-known Bushmaster II automatic cannon. From the offset, you’ll be able to fire an APDS belt with up to 87 mm of penetration, and a later APFSDS belt which can comfortably cut through most vehicles in the game, from the side at least. There’s also HEI-T rounds, which are nicely versatile across the board. The turret also features a laser rangefinder, allowing you to easily hone in on a target at any range!Coming in on a fast 8x8 wheeled chassis that can reach almost 100 km/h, the Stryker is well-known and needs no introduction. Combined with the new autocannon, the Dragoon will be a very dangerous vehicle on all types of maps!As for the new M1296’s weaknesses, they’re largely the same as those of other vehicles in the family. That’s mainly its large size, a crew of just three, and light armor. When playing this vehicle you’ll need to make sure you’re getting the jump on the enemy. A burst from the cannon at a good angle can take down anything, but if you get caught on a bad angle there’s not a lot you can do, so prioritizing the mobility is key.Right, that’s this dev blog wrapped! We look forward to welcoming the M1296 Dragoon to the US light tank line at rank VI in the next major update. In the meantime, as always we’ll continue covering the most exciting vehicles, locations, and new features in our dev blogs. Bye!Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.

Every year on February 21st, South Africa holds a parade to commemorate Armed Forces Day. This date was chosen to commemorate the South Africans who served in the First World War. The modern South African National Defense Force operates Olifant and Rooikat tanks, Ratel infantry fighting vehicles, Mamba armored personnel carriers, and Rooivalk helicopters. The country follows the tradition of naming its equipment after animals. Discounts on South African vehicles! 

When: From February 20th until February 23rd (10:00 GMT).Where: Great Britain > Army / Helicopters > Premium vehicles.

 Both of these vehicles are available at a 30% discount:

• Rooikat 105 (rank VI) for 6,363 Golden Eagles
• Rooivalk Mk1F CSH (rank VI) for 5,992 Golden Eagles

 Both the Rooikat 105 and Rooivalk Mk1F CSH can also be purchased as a bundle in the Gaijin store at a 50% discount! About these vehicles

• The Rooikat 105  is a true “glass cannon”, as it’s lightly armored, yet agile and incredibly powerful. Its 105 mm gun with a thermal imager and a stabilizer will earn you plenty of kills, and its 120 km/h speed allows you to take the most advantageous positions and retreat before the enemy has time to recover.

 

• The Rooivalk Mk1F CSH is an advanced modification of the Rooivalk, featuring improved optics, avionics, and defensive systems. It is a versatile attack helicopter, equipped with a thermal imager and fire suppression systems, and is ready to defend against enemy attacks with flares. It is armed with a 20 mm cannon and six hardpoints capable of mounting Mistral air-to-air missiles, ZT-6 Mokopa guided missiles, and unguided FZ49 HEAT rockets.

 South African Armed Forces Day bundle -50%Price: 110 54.99

• Rooikat 105 Pack;
• Rooivalk Pack.

 Get the “Emblem of No. 2 Squadron of the South African Air Force” decal! Get yourself this decal by completing the task below.“Emblem of No. 2 Squadron of the South African Air Force” decal 

When: From today until February 24th (10:00 GMT).Task: Earn 3,000 mission points in battles where you used British vehicles at rank III or higher to receive the “Emblem of No. 2 Squadron of the South African Air Force” decal. Please note: After finishing the task, you need to collect the reward manually. Additional details:

• You can complete the task in random battles, except for \ mode.
• Track your progress in the hangar by clicking Nickname → Achievements → Holidays → South African Armed Forces Day.
• You can find the decal in the “Holidays” tab in the Customization menu.

When German troops began their offensive against Russia in early 1918, the Bolsheviks, who had come to power as a result of the October Revolution, declared mobilization. The new armed forces were named the “Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army”, and February 23rd, the day when recruitment for the Red Army began, became a public holiday within a few years. It is a day still celebrated today. The Object 140 is temporarily available at a 30% discount for 6,111 Golden Eagles! 

When: From February 20th (09:00 GMT) until February 25th (09:00 GMT).Where: USSR > Army > Premium vehicles.

• After this promotion ends, the Object 140 will remain available for purchase at full price for Golden Eagles.

About this tank

• The Object 140 (rank VI) is an experimental tank developed as an evolution of the T-54. Its 100 mm stabilized gun can fire rounds that can penetrate most enemies at its rank from the front. Its APHE rounds are very powerful, and its good mobility allows it to work effectively almost anywhere, just keep the low gun depression in mind.

 Discounts on Soviet vehicles in the Gaijin Store! 

When: From February 20th (09:00 GMT) until February 25th (09:00 GMT).To get to the Gaijin Store through Steam, go to the in-game hangar > Shop > Online Store.

 

• All Soviet vehicles in the Gaijin store (except for the BMPT-72 “Terminator-2”, Su-30MK2 AMV, and the “In May ‘45” pack) are available at a 30% discount!

50% Off BundlesT-72AV (TURMS-T) + Su-25K Bundle125 62.49This bundle includes:

• T-72AV (TURMS-T) Pack
• Su-25K Pack

Ka-50 + T-80U-E1 Bundle 120 59.99This bundle includes:

• Ka-50 Pack
• T-80U-E1 Pack

Red Army Day 2026 Bundle65.96 32.98This bundle includes:

• KV-1E Pack
• Т-34 tank mod. 1941
• IL-2 Avenger Pack
• Peshka Pack

The following Soviet vehicles can be purchased with Golden Eagles:

• KV-1E (rank III) for 3,200 Golden Eagles
• T-34 (1st Gv.T.Br.) (rank II) for 1,300 Golden Eagles
• Pe-2-205 (rank III) for 1,500 Golden Eagles
• IL-2 Avenger (rank III) for 1,300 Golden Eagles

  Get the “Bogatyr” decal and “SSh-36” decoration!You can get these Soviet-themed cosmetics by completing the tasks below.“Bogatyr” decal“SSh-36” decoration

When: From February 20th (09:00 GMT) until February 25th (09:00 GMT).

• Task: Earn 3,000 mission points in battles where you used Soviet vehicles at rank III or higher to receive the “Bogatyr” decal.
• Task: Earn 10,000 mission points in battles where you used Soviet ground vehicles at rank III or higher to receive the “SSh-36” decoration.

 Please note: After finishing the task, you need to collect the reward manually. Additional details:

• You can complete the task in random battles, except for \ mode.
• Track your progress in the hangar by clicking Nickname → Achievements → Holidays → Red Army Foundation Day.
• You can find the decal in the “Holidays” tab in the Customization menu.
• You can find the decoration in the “Helmets” tab in the Customization menu.

 Open the “Red Army Foundation Day” trophy!

When: From February 20th (09:00 GMT) until February 25th (09:00 GMT).Where: In-game Item Shop

• The “Red Army Foundation Day” trophy is available for purchase for Golden Eagles!

 This trophy contains decorations that were previously awarded on Red Army Foundation Day! Opening this trophy will reward you with a decoration you don’t already have. In addition to the “Kuban papakha” and “Budenovka”, the trophy also includes six shields, which are part of the “Shields” Collection that you can find in your profile. Collect all the shields and receive the “Heraldic shield” decoration as a reward!“Kuban papakha” decoration“Budenovka” decoration“Pavise shield” decoration“Gallic Shield” decoration

Meet this Japanese self-propelled gun based on the Chi-Ha tank with a 105 mm howitzer, becoming a new and interesting vehicle for the Japanese lower ranks.Ho-Ni II: A Tank Destroyer (SPG) for Japan at Rank IAt a glance:

• 105 mm howitzer with HEAT and high-explosive rounds
• Good gun depression
• Average mobility
• Limited traverse angles
• Vulnerable open crew compartment

 Vehicle HistoryThe Japanese Type 1 Ho-Ni II self-propelled gun was developed on the chassis of the Type 97 Chi-Ha medium tank, as a further development of the 75 mm Ho-Ni I. The distinguishing feature of the new model was the installation of a more powerful 105 mm Type 91 howitzer in a fixed, open cabin.The first prototype was built in 1942. Due to a general shortage of industrial resources in Japan during the war, large-scale production was not possible. A total of 54 Ho-Ni self-propelled guns of various modifications were manufactured from 1943 onwards. These vehicles saw limited use in combat in the Philippines and Burma, but the bulk of the fleet remained in Japan, where they were used to defend against the expected Allied invasion.Introducing the Ho-Ni II!In the next major update, we’ll be adding the new Japanese Ho-Ni, featuring a self-propelled gun on the chassis of Japan’s most widely-produced medium tank, the Chi-Ha. This vehicle is armed with a large howitzer, the largest-caliber gun in the series. Let’s take a further look at this thing!Meet the largest-caliber self-propelled gun in the Ho-Ni family, arriving at rank II in the Japanese ground forces tree. The main feature that distinguishes the Ho-Ni II from its siblings is the gun. The oscillating part of the 105 mm Type 91 field howitzer is mounted on an armor shield, firing high-explosive and HEAT rounds. The HEAT round’s penetration is enough to destroy most targets at its rank, including T-34s and Shermans if you aim for their weakspots! The gun has a limited traverse angle of 10 degrees left and right, so in most cases you’ll have to aim the hull towards your target. Due to the gun’s long breech, elevation is also limited to 22 degrees, but the gun’s depression is at an excellent -17 degrees, allowing you to shoot from behind cover effectively.The chassis of the Ho-Ni II derives from the Chi-Ha medium tank, giving it decent mobility with a top speed of up to 40 km/h. The superstructure however is very lightly protected just like the Ho-Ni I. The front and some of the side armor is at least bulletproof, but the crew are completely exposed from the top and the rear, making them especially vulnerable to machine guns and aircraft.The Ho-Hi II will excel in a strong position, thanks to its gun depression and relatively fast fire rate, it can easily lock down a sightline from cover. Like with many SPGs in the game positioning is key, so identify a good spot in a high traffic area and lock in!That’s it for this one, we’ll continue releasing dev blogs for the next major update, so keep an eye on the news. See you soon!Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.

Meet the main reward in the Workhorse vehicle event! This is an early variant of the F-16A multirole fighter of the Royal Netherlands Air Force. This is the first time we’ve had an F-16 variant as an event vehicle, so if you haven’t had the opportunity to try one yet, now’s the perfect time!F-16A Block 5: An Event Vehicle Jet Fighter for France at Rank VIIIAt a glance:

• High speed and excellent acceleration
• Good arsenal
• AN/APG-66 radar
• No long-range air-to-air missiles

 Vehicle HistoryF-16A fighters entered service with the Royal Netherlands Air Force in 1979 as part of a large-scale program to replace the aging F-104G Starfighter and NF-5 Freedom Fighter aircraft. The choice was made in favor of the American aircraft in May 1975 following comparative trials, where the F-16 demonstrated superiority in key parameters for the Dutch Air Force: maneuverability, fuel efficiency, combat load, and low maintenance costs. The Netherlands’ decision was part of a larger European order, which was soon joined by Belgium, Denmark, and Norway.A key condition of the contract was the participation of local industry. Production of all Dutch F-16s was carried out by Fokker Aircraft. The first two aircraft — a single-seat F-16A Block 1 and a two-seat F-16B Block 1 — were completed in May 1979 and delivered to Leeuwarden Air Base on June 6th. The total order ultimately amounted to 213 aircraft, including 177 F-16As and 36 F-16Bs of all variants, the last batch of which was delivered in February 1992.The Block 5 modification was one of the first stages of modernization. The first production F-16 Block 5s arrived in the summer of 1980 to the 322nd and 323rd Squadrons at Leeuwarden Air Base and were upgraded numerous times in subsequent years of service.Introducing the Dutch F-16A Block 5!Say hello to a new Royal Netherlands Air Force aircraft in the French aviation tree, which can be yours completely free! Meet the main reward in the Workhorse vehicle event that started today: the legendary F-16 in one of its early modifications. It’s fast and agile, primed for close combat, frantic assaults, and epic maneuvers! Let’s take a look.The F-16A Block 5 is one of the first production versions of the formidable US multirole fighter, with production established in the Netherlands, among other places. This Flying Dutchman possesses all the performance characteristics that make the F-16 so beloved: a top speed of nearly Mach 2, excellent maneuverability, and most importantly, superb acceleration and a climb rate of over 300 meters per second.For aerial combat, you’ll have access to AIM-9P IR-guided missiles and AIM-9L all-aspect IR-guided missiles (this model did not have advanced ARH homing). The Dutchman also looks quite impressive in its ground-attack configuration! There are up to nineteen 500 lb bombs, up to four large 2000 lb bombs, up to 114 rockets, and AGM-65B Maverick missiles for precision ground attack, making this F-16 a great addition to high rank ground lineups. There’s also a wide array of electronic equipment, typical to the early F-16 series. A decent AN/APG-66 radar, RWR, and 60 flares for defending against enemy missiles, as well as a ballistic computer for bombs and missiles.That’s it for this one! The F-16A Block 5 will be a well-balanced, comfortable jet that will fit right in with France’s top-tier lineups. While long-range dogfights aren’t its forte, this light, fast, and fierce fighter will shine in close combat and mixed combat! You can get the F-16A Block 5 completely free simply by playing the game and completing tasks in the Workhorse vehicle event, which started today. Click the link below for more information!Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.Click here to find out more details about the Workhorse event

Meet the GBT 155, featuring a 155 mm howitzer mounted onto a Vickers chassis, coming to the game as a premium in the next major update.GBT 155: A Premium Tank Destroyer (SPG) for Great Britain at Rank IVAt a glance:

• 155 mm cannon!
• Powerful HE shells
• Vickers MBT chassis
• Large turret

 Pre-order - Vickers GBT155 PackTo get to the Gaijin Store through Steam, go to the in-game hangar > Shop > Online Store.39.99
This pack includes:

• Vickers GBT155 (Rank IV, Great Britain)
• Premium account for 7 days
• 1000 Golden Eagles
• Pre-order bonus: unique title “Big Ben”
• Pre-order bonus: unique decal “Keep Calm and Fire First”

Vehicle HistoryIn the early 1980s, the British company Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Limited (VSEL) launched a self-guided development of a new artillery turret system, the GBT 155. The impetus was a combination of the pressing need to replace outdated self-propelled howitzers, new export prospects, and the failure of the pan-European SP70 project.VSEL’s designers emphasized modularity and the turret’s complete autonomy. The key innovation was that the GBT 155 was a self-contained fighting compartment that could be mounted on the chassis of virtually any existing main battle tank without major modifications. This made the system significantly cheaper and more accessible to potential foreign customers who were modernizing their aging tank fleets. Th FH-70 towed howitzer, with its 39-caliber barrel, was chosen as the system’s weapon. VSEL developed turret integration options for a wide range of platforms, from the American M48/M60 and British Chieftain to the Soviet T-54/55 and Chinese Type 59.The first operational prototype was mounted on a Vickers Mk.3 tank chassis. This vehicle successfully completed a full cycle of tests, confirming its stated performance. Despite the technical success of the project, export sales of the GBT 155 never materialized. Further development of the design continued however, leading to the development of the AS-90 155 mm self-propelled howitzer.Introducing the GBT 155!Today we’re taking a look at the rather interesting GBT 155, which comes to the game as a premium vehicle, a pre-order pack being available from today that includes some cool British pre-order bonuses. Featuring a 155 mm howitzer gun, you’ll be able to add this HE slinger to several of your British ground forces lineups to have some fun. Let’s dive into the details of this Frankenstein creation!The VSEL GBT 155 turret was created by Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering to be a universal turret system that could fit onto a range of different tank chassis. One such example is it being fitted onto the Vickers Mk 3 MBT chassis, which is the one coming to War Thunder! This gives it a somewhat unsightly appearance, due to the turret being mounted high above the chassis, exposing a large neck and turret ring. Truly a tank Frankenstein would create!Let’s firstly take a look at the unique turret. This turret houses a 155 mm FH70 cannon, able to fire the NATO standard HE, Smoke, and HE-VT shells that all play a role in taking out enemy tanks or aircraft. As previously mentioned, the VSEL GBT 155 is mounted onto the Vickers Mk 3 MBT chassis. It features 720 HP, 2,500 RPM and can reach a top speed of 50 km/h, which is decent but not fantastic.As one might expect, the turret is rather large, has thin armor and stores all of the 155 mm ammunition. This means it’s very exposed to enemy fire and will cook off if hit, knocking out all of the four crew members without much of a problem. On the turret cheeks are smoke grenades, allowing you to conceal yourself when the situation calls for it. Make sure to keep yourself safe!Coming to the game as a premium vehicle for as part of a pack, the GBT 155 scratches that 155 mm itch that many players have. Being able to take out armored opponents with a 155 mm shell is very satisfying, and will also yield you more Silver Lions and research points thanks to the premium status.That’s it for this one! You can pre-order the GBT 155 starting from today, the link is in this post! It comes with cool British-themed pre-order bonuses that you should definitely not miss out on. This one will be an enjoyable addition to many British ground force lineups, and should be a lot of fun to play. Until the next one!Please note that the vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before being added to the game.

Today, we’ve rounded up and will be covering some of the bug fixes and improvements that we’ve made to the game today and over the past few weeks. If you’d like to catch up on every fixed bug, then be sure to check out the changelog section on our website. If you’ve found a bug that you’d like to report, you can do so on our community bug reporting platform.A fix for the disappearance of dangerous threats on RWRsEach RWR in the game simultaneously alerts on a limited number of threats. For readability, the most dangerous threats are selected, while less important threats are hidden. However, previously, the newest threats were hidden instead of the lowest-priority ones, preventing players from receiving alerts about certain missiles and lock-ons, which often resulted in the loss of an aircraft. The threat prioritization algorithm has been refined. The oldest and least important threats are now hidden first, based on the “detection-lock-on-launch” scale. This error was most common in Air SB, but was also occasionally reproduced in Realistic and Arcade Battles.Drowning crew fixGround vehicles in War Thunder can not just be flooded entirely, but partially as well. For example, if only the frontal portion of a vehicle is submerged, only that specific part will be flooded, leaving modules and other crew members outside of it undamaged. However, when crew members were lost due to drowning, new ones taking their place would immediately begin to drown without a new countdown. This, among other things, prevented the vehicle without its driver from exiting the water. Now the countdown restarts, giving the player time to escape.Corrections to Multi-Vehicle SAM SystemsMulti-Vehicle SAM Systems allow you to capture points without direct player intervention. Simply relocate one vehicle to capture a point, while the other can be manually controlled and moved to a more advantageous position. Convenient! There was a problem though. Capturing a point with a vehicle that wasn’t under the player’s control at the time of capture didn’t award the player the rewards they deserved. This is because the game checks which player owns the vehicle that captured the point to give the reward, but in this case, the check didn’t point to the vehicle’s owner. In addition, because Multi-Vehicle SAM Systems are handled somewhat differently by the game, the artillery strike availability check on the launchers of Multi-Vehicle SAM Systems didn’t work correctly, allowing them to be called in multiple times without reloading.Reappearing vehicles on Flanders fixThe Flanders map is a bit different than other maps. Environmental details and even the placement of some objects within it change depending on the session’s Battle Rating. An issue arose with the synchronization of these objects, which changed depending on the mission. As a result, players could notice that destroyed vehicles were repeatedly reappearing as if nothing had happened.VT1-2 engine vehicle fixDuring regular technical changes to the game’s internal systems, the German VT1-2 suffered an issue. Because it features a unique mechanic, where it can traverse even with the main engine off thanks to two battery-powered motors, we did not take this feature into account during code refactoring. As a result, when the VT1-2’s engine failed, horizontal aiming was also disabled. This issue is now fixed!That’s not allCheck out the full list of fixes and improvements in the update notes below! Random vehicles can no longer carry more ammo than they’re supposed to, and a bug that caused ray-traced shadows to become too dark has been fixed.Previous Updates:

• Update 2.53.0.92
• Update 2.53.0.87

Today's Update 2.53.0.93Aircraft

• J-10A — a bug where the weapons would remain in the air after the wing was torn off has been fixed. (Report).
• CF-188A — the requirement to install the AN/AAS-38 targeting pod when selecting the AGM-65G missiles has been removed. (Report).
• Ki-45 Ko, Ki-45 Hei, Ki-45 Otsu, Ki-45 Tei — a bug where the gunner started shooting when the enemy was in front of the aircraft has been fixed. (Report).
• Hunter FGA.9 — a bug that caused the AAM pylons to always display on the aircraft has been fixed.
• Spitfire F Mk 22, Spitfire F Mk 24 — a bug that prevented the use of a custom weapon preset of two G.P. 500 lb Mk IV bombs mounted under the wings without researching the MBC Mk.3 modification has been fixed. (Report).
• Super Mystere B2 — a bug that caused the explosive type in the SECAN 63 incendiary bomb to be displayed as a text key has been fixed. (Report).

 Interface

• A bug where receiving enough spawn points when in the spawn window didn’t cause the color of vehicle’s SP cost to change from red to white has been fixed. (Report).
• A bug that sometimes caused the random vehicle to be able to take a higher number of limited shells than the regular vehicle could has been fixed. For example, more than 8 ATGMs on the BMP-3 and ZBD04A. (Report).
• A bug that caused the text key to appear in the “Sound” setting description has been fixed. (Report).

Register Now for the Qualification Stage The War Thunder Championships Series (WTCS) kicks off now. The first Major of the season is the 4v4 Mixed Realistic Battles (with markers). Whether you are an experienced pilot or a dedicated tank commander, this tournament is for you! You will need to build a versatile roster of 7 players and develop the best strategies for each map. Without further ado, take a look at the schedule and prize pool for this first Major! Tournament DatesAfter each Open Qualifier, four teams will advance to the Playoff stage. For full details about the competitive structure and what to expect this season, make sure to read the War Thunder Championship Series 2026 Plans news, which breaks everything down.

• Open Qualifier I: February 21st to 22nd at 15:00 GMT
• Open Qualifier II: February 28th to March 1st at 15:00 GMT
• Playoffs: March 7th to 8th and March 14th to 15th at 15:00 GMT

REGISTER NOW! Tournament Prizes Live Streams with Twitch Drops!When: Each stream will start from 14:45 GMT.

• Open Qualifier I Stream: February 21st and 22nd
• Open Qualifier II Stream: February 28th to March 1st

 Throughout the two weekends of the Open Qualifiers, live broadcasts will feature Twitch Drops, giving you the chance to earn boosters and Premium Account time. Be sure to tune in during the Finals as well to claim exclusive Twitch Drops rewards.Matches will be broadcast in multiple languages to ensure the best viewing experience, including English, Russian, German, Polish, and French.All matches will be broadcast live also on YouTube, so make sure to tune in and follow the action in real time!Watch on Twitch Watch on YouTube Login to your Twitch account → link your Gaijin account → click “Allow” to be able to receive Twitch Drops!Discord Giveaways!During the WTCS 2026 Major I, join the Official War Thunder Esports Discord server to connect with fellow competitive players and take part in exclusive giveaways featuring the following packs:

• BMPT-72 "Terminator-2" PackSu-30 MKK PackType 61 (B) PackHawk 209 Pack

The Esports Team wishes you the best of luck in the qualification stages. See you on the battlefield!

2026 is the Year of the Horse, and every horse, even a fiery one, needs horseshoes! When harnessing your trusty steed, don’t forget to take a horseshoe pouch with you, keeping your precious belongings safe. 

The “Horseshoe Pouch” can be purchased from the in-game Item Shop for Silver Lions from February 17th (11:00 GMT) until March 16th (11:00 GMT).

The Horseshoe Pouch is available to players who have at least one researchable vehicle at rank II or higher on their account.What’s in the pouch?The Horseshoe Pouch contains vehicles and camouflages, decals and decorations, player icons and loading screens from past game events such as World War II Chronicles and Pages of History, World War and May events, as well as War Thunder’s birthdays. It also includes rewards from January’s Battle Passes, and even the A-26C-45! Plus useful consumables including boosters, universal backups, wagers and orders. Some items from past events have been included for the first time as coupons, meaning you’ll be able to sell them on the Market! The Horseshoe Pouch costs 60,000 Silver Lions.  Some rewards you can find in the Horseshoe Pouch:    “Crocodile Jaws” decal“Emblem of the Coldstream Guards” decal“Gladius” decoration   “Death valley sign” decoration“Douglas MacArthur” player icon“Colt–Browning M1895” decoration All items are immediately credited to your account, but there’s a chance of receiving some of them in coupon form, unless otherwise stated.Full list of items in the Horseshoe Pouch:Vehicles (will be immediately activated on the account or in the form of coupons):

• M46 (France)
• SB2C-5 (Japan)
• Le Triomphant (immediately activated on the account only)
• IL-8 (1944)
• M551(76)
• Pr.183 BM-21 (immediately activated on the account only)
• Bf 109 F-4 (Italy)
• AMX-50 (TO90/930)
• Turan II (immediately activated on the account only)
• MTB-422 (immediately activated on the account only)
• M64
• Su-8
• T55E1 (immediately activated on the account only)
• Z25 (immediately activated on the account only)
• ITP (M-1)
• Centurion Mk.5/1
• A-26C-45 (immediately activated on the account only)
• XF5U-1 (immediately activated on the account only)

• T-34-85 "Partisan"
• Eremin's Yak-3(e)
• KV-7 (U-13) (immediately activated on the account only)
• BM-31-12 (immediately activated on the account only)
• TOG II (immediately activated on the account only)
• LVT(A)(4) (immediately activated on the account only)
• Swordfish Mk II (immediately activated on the account only)
• TKA-412 (immediately activated on the account only)
• He 51 B-2/H
• TB-3M-17-32 (immediately activated on the account only)
• LaGG-3-23 (immediately activated on the account only)
• DB-7 (Great Britain)
• XF5F
• I-29
• M8 LAC
• Ya-5M (immediately activated on the account only)
• D.371 H.S.9 (immediately activated on the account only)
• A13 Mk II 1939
• 38 cm Sturmmörser (immediately activated on the account only)
• IS-2 No.321 (immediately activated on the account only)
• BA-11
• USS Phelps
• IL-2 M-82
• M60 AMBT
• AMX-50 Surblindé
• Spitfire F Mk IXc
• Hawk H-75A-2 (Germany)
• T18E2
• Lorraine 155 Mle.50 (immediately activated on the account only)
• Tandem MAI (immediately activated on the account only)
• Whirlwind P.9
• PV-2D
• Yak-3T (immediately activated on the account only)
• MK-II "Matilda" (USSR)
• Excelsior
• KV-2 (1940)
• Comet I "Iron Duke IV"
• Bong's P-38J-15
• MBR-2-M-34
• Spitfire Mk IXc (USSR) (immediately activated on the account only)
• SU-76M (5th Gv.Kav.Corps)

 Camouflages (only in the form of coupons):

• BA-11: Bicolor summer camouflage
• USS Phelps: Deforming camouflage Measure 32
• IL-2 M-82: Bicolor camouflage
• M60 AMBT: Tricolor summer camouflage
• T18E2: European camouflage
• Whirlwind P.9: Standard unpainted camouflage
• PV-2D: "Olathe" camouflage
• MK-II "Matilda" (USSR): Summer camouflage

 Decorations (will be immediately activated on the account or in the form of coupons):

• Gladius (immediately activated on the account only)
• Centurion helmet (immediately activated on the account only)
• Scutum shield (immediately activated on the account only)
• UBT (immediately activated on the account only)
• Bomb cassette (immediately activated on the account only)
• Siege mortar (immediately activated on the account only)
• Guard post (immediately activated on the account only)
• Crown (immediately activated on the account only)
• Royal scepter (immediately activated on the account only)
• Modern assault rifle (USA) (immediately activated on the account only)
• Automatic grenade launcher (USA) (immediately activated on the account only)
• Fuel Blivet (immediately activated on the account only)
• MAS 49/56 (immediately activated on the account only)
• Anti-tank rocket launcher (France) (immediately activated on the account only)
• Towed mortar (France) (immediately activated on the account only)
• Travel Gramophone
• Three-barreled experimental assault rifle
• Patchett Machine Carbine
• M1918A2
• Colt–Browning M1895
• “Death valley” sign
• Anniversary cake (immediately activated on the account only)
• Golden X (immediately activated on the account only)
• PIAT
• M1919A6
• Semi-automatic sniper rifle (Germany)
• Assault rifle (Israel)
• Reising M50
• Owen Machine Carbine
• PPD 34/38
• Mauser M98K
• Type 99 sniper rifle
• Beretta Model 38
• PPSh-41
• Lanchester Mk.1
• М3 “Grease gun”
• PPSh-42
• StG 44
• Type 100

 Decals (will be immediately activated on the account or in the form of coupons):

• "Victory is ours" text (immediately activated on the account only)
• "Victory over Berlin" text (immediately activated on the account only)
• "I Want to Believe" decal (immediately activated on the account only)
• "Dream Come True" decal (immediately activated on the account only)
• Decal "Legio I Germanica" (immediately activated on the account only)
• Decal "Legio I Italica" (immediately activated on the account only)
• Decal "Legio III Cyrenaica" (immediately activated on the account only)
• Decal "Legio IIII Flavia Felix" (immediately activated on the account only)
• Emblem of the 15th Attack Squadron (immediately activated on the account only)
• Emblem of the No. 450 Squadron (immediately activated on the account only)
• St.G 2 "Immelmann" Emblem (immediately activated on the account only)
• "Watchdog" emblem (immediately activated on the account only)
• Emblem of the Coldstream Guards (immediately activated on the account only)
• Emblem of the Danish Royal Guard Company (immediately activated on the account only)
• Emblem of the Jordan Royal Guard (immediately activated on the account only)
• Emblem of the Spanish Royal Guard (immediately activated on the account only)
• Emblem of the Paramarines (immediately activated on the account only)
• Emblem of the 101st Airborne Division Headquarters (immediately activated on the account only)
• Emblem of the 1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (immediately activated on the account only)
• Emblem of the 9th Paratroopers Assault Regiment (immediately activated on the account only)
• Emblem of the Legion Engineers (immediately activated on the account only)
• Emblem of the 1st Legion Airborne Regiment (immediately activated on the account only)
• Emblem of the 1st Cavalry Regiment (immediately activated on the account only)
• Emblem of the 1st Regiment of the Foreign Legion (immediately activated on the account only)
• To the pilot of the Stalingrad Front (immediately activated on the account only)
• Eremin’s aerial victories (immediately activated on the account only)
• Zmey Gorynych (immediately activated on the account only)
• The front needs it - we’ll do it! (immediately activated on the account only)
• "T-54-412" board number
• "For excellent artillery training" decal
• "Glory to the Stalin Guard!" text
• "T.O.G. №2" text
• Emblem of the Royal Tank Corps
• British Propaganda Poster
• 10 Year Better Together decal (immediately activated on the account only)
• 10 years ahead! pin-up (immediately activated on the account only)
• The Snail is 9 years old! decal (immediately activated on the account only)
• 8 years of Victories! (immediately activated on the account only)
• 7 years of War Thunder! (immediately activated on the account only)
• 6 years of War Thunder! (immediately activated on the account only)
• 5 years of War Thunder! (immediately activated on the account only)
• Brave text
• Strong text
• 321 tank number
• The Kerch–Eltigen Operation
• The Philippines Campaign (1941-1942)
• USS Phelps emblem (immediately activated on the account only)
• Battle of the Chinese Farm
• Battle for the Fulda Gap
• Emblem of the 600th Armored Brigade (immediately activated on the account only)
• Operation Nordwind
• Second Battle of El Alamein
• Battle for Caen
• Battle of Vitebsk
• Bear head
• Boar head
• Crocodile head
• Snake head
• Tiger head
• Wolf head
• Monster Jaws
• Tiger Jaws
• Shark Jaws
• Boar Jaws
• Crocodile Jaws

 Profile icons (will be immediately activated on an account or in the form of coupons):

• Legioner (first time as a coupon)
• Optio (first time as a coupon)
• Centurion (first time as a coupon)
• Attack pilot (first time as a coupon)
• Royal Guardsman (first time as a coupon)
• US Paratrooper (first time as a coupon)
• Foreign Legion Sapper (first time as a coupon)
• John Lavarack (immediately activated on the account only)
• Mikhail Yegorov (immediately activated on the account only)
• Richard Winters (immediately activated on the account only)
• Charles Upham (immediately activated on the account only)
• Aleksandra Samusenko (immediately activated on the account only)
• Marcario Garcia (immediately activated on the account only)
• Avigdor Ben-Gal (immediately activated on the account only)
• Marcel Albert (immediately activated on the account only)
• Gregory Boyington (immediately activated on the account only)
• Dmitry Osatyuk (immediately activated on the account only)
• Norman Schwarzkopf (immediately activated on the account only)
• Reginald Mitchell (immediately activated on the account only)
• Gerard Roope (immediately activated on the account only)
• Meliton Kantaria (immediately activated on the account only)
• Nikolai Gastello (immediately activated on the account only)
• Desmond Doss (immediately activated on the account only)
• David Currie (immediately activated on the account only)
• Roza Shanina (immediately activated on the account only)
• John Basilone (immediately activated on the account only)
• John Campbell (immediately activated on the account only)
• Ekaterina Mikhailova (immediately activated on the account only)
• William Arthur Shomo (immediately activated on the account only)
• Eugene Esmonde (immediately activated on the account only)
• Jan Zumbach (immediately activated on the account only)
• Aleksandr Kosmodemyansky (immediately activated on the account only)
• Semyon Sorokin (immediately activated on the account only)
• Percy Hobart (immediately activated on the account only)
• James Maurice Gavin (immediately activated on the account only)
• Raymond Dronne (immediately activated on the account only)
• Lev Mikhailovich Roshchin (immediately activated on the account only)
• Richard Bong (immediately activated on the account only)
• Marmaduke Pattle (immediately activated on the account only)
• Creighton Abrams (immediately activated on the account only)
• Vasily Matsievich (immediately activated on the account only)
• Douglas MacArthur (immediately activated on the account only)
• James Edgar Johnson (immediately activated on the account only)
• Pavel Golovachev (immediately activated on the account only)
• Stepan Neustroev (immediately activated on the account only)
• Theodore Roosevelt III (immediately activated on the account only)
• Paddy Mayne (immediately activated on the account only)
• Boris Kovzan (immediately activated on the account only)
• Charles Carpenter (immediately activated on the account only)
• Leo Major (immediately activated on the account only)
• Francis Sherman Currey (immediately activated on the account only)
• Grigory Brazhnikov (immediately activated on the account only)

 Profile icon frames (will be immediately activated on the account):

• Pancakes

 Profile backgrounds (will be immediately activated on the account):

• XF5U

 Loading screens (will be immediately activated on the account):

• 9th Anniversary of War Thunder
• 38 cm Sturmmörser
• XF5U-1

 Trophies (only in the form of coupons):

• World War trophy (decoration)
• World War trophy (vehicle)

 Silver Lions

• 10,000 - 1,000,000

 Expendable item

• Battle trophy (RP booster)
• Battle trophy (SL booster)
• Universal back-up
• Universal back-up x2
• Universal back-up x3
• Random wager
• Random order

Aircraft

• A bug where, if there were a large number of threats on the RWR, important threats could be given lower priority than less important ones and would not be displayed on the indicator has been fixed. More dangerous threats are now correctly prioritized by the RWR. (Report).

 Ground Vehicles

• A bug where the reward for capturing a point with a Multi-Vehicle SAM System was not awarded if the player was not driving a vehicle that was at the capture point during the capture has been fixed. (Report).
• A bug where Multi-Vehicle SAM System launchers could call in an artillery strike with no cooldown has been fixed. (Report).
• A bug that caused a crew member who replaced a drowned crew member to instantly start drowning with no countdown has been fixed.
• VT1-2 — a bug where destroying the engine prevented hull guidance using auxiliary electric motors while the battery was charged has been fixed. (Report).

 Locations and Missions

• Flanders — a bug that caused vehicles on the map to reappear after being destroyed has been fixed. (Report).

 Simulator Battles

• The following changes have been made to the Ground Simulator Battles lineups:
  • Lineup 10_2: T-72B3 “Arena” has been added; BMPT and BMPT-72 have been removed.
  • Lineup 11_2: T-72B3 “Arena”, BMPT, and BMPT-72 have been added.

Patch notes reflect only key changes, meaning they may not include a complete list of all improvements made. Additionally, War Thunder is constantly being updated and some changes may not require an update. Changes reflected in patch notes are formed by taking reactions and requests of the community from the bug reporting service, forums and other official platforms into account. Bug fixes and changes are implemented in order of importance, for example a game-breaking bug will be worked on and implemented sooner.

Lunar New Year is an ancient holiday and one of the most important in Eastern countries. Fireworks, gifts, and a festive atmosphere await you in War Thunder. We’re celebrating the Year of the Fire Horse!

Get the “Red Fire Horse” decal! “Red Fire Horse” decal 

When: From February 17th (11:00 GMT) until February 24th (11:00 GMT).Task: Earn 3,000 mission points in battles where you used Chinese vehicles at rank III or higher to receive the “Red Fire Horse” decal. Please note: After finishing the task, you need to collect the reward manually. Additional details:

• You can complete the task in random battles, except for \ mode.
• Track your progress in the hangar by clicking Nickname → Achievements → Holidays → Lunar New Year.
• You can find the decal in the Holidays tab in the Customization menu.

Get the “Horse Figurine” decoration!“Horse Figurine” decoration

When: From February 18th (11:00 GMT) until February 25th (11:00 GMT). Please note: the decoration task starts and ends one day later.Task: Earn 20,000 mission points in battles where you used Chinese vehicles at rank III or higher to receive the “Horse Figurine” decoration. Please note: After finishing the task, you need to collect the reward manually. Additional details:

• You can complete the task in random battles, except for \ mode.
• Track your progress in the hangar by clicking Nickname → Achievements → Holidays → Lunar New Year.
• You can find the decoration in the Other tab in the Customization menu.

The ZTZ96A (P), Type 69-IIa and Т-62 №545 are temporarily available at a 50% discount for Golden Eagles!

When: From February 17th (11:00 GMT) until February 24th (11:00 GMT).Where: China > Army > Premium vehicles.

• The Type 69-IIa (Rank V) is available for 4190 Golden Eagles*
• The T-62 No.545 (Rank VI) is available for 4365 Golden Eagles*
• The ZTZ96A (P) (Rank VII) is available for 4635 Golden Eagles

*Please note: The Type 69-IIa and T-62 No.545 are only available during this promotion. About these tanks

• The Type 69-IIa is an improved export version of the Type 69, equipped with a 100 mm rifled gun from the Type 59, a laser rangefinder, and a two-plane stabilizer. With a wide range of ammunition, an improved fire control system, night vision devices, and smoke grenades. This tank excels in long-range duels, but is still nicely versatile across the board.

• The Т-62 №545 is a captured Soviet vehicle tested by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Fairly agile, with good turret traverse, speed and robust frontal armor, this MBT excels in the second line of battle. Its stabilized 115 mm gun can fire both APFSDS and HEAT rounds, and its compact size allows it to be effectively concealed behind cover.

• The ZTZ96A (P) is a prototype of the ZTZ96A, equipped with the JD-3 EKP, a variant of the Soviet Shtora anti-tank missile system, capable of defending against enemy ATGMs. This is a capable MBT with good protection, a thermal imager for the gunner, and a 125 mm gun with an APFSDS round that can penetrate up to 400mm of armor!

Gaijin Store discounts for the Lunar New Year!

When: From February 17th (11:00 GMT) until February 24th (11:00 GMT).

 Lunar New Year bundles and the Chinese Starter Pack are temporarily available at a 50% discount!“The Dark Stallion ” Bundle -50%“Golden Spears and Iron Horses” Bundle -50%Price: $125 $62.49

• A-5C Pack
• Type 96A Prototype Pack
• Unique title: “The Dark Stallion”
• Unique decal: “The Dark Stallion ”

Price: $120 $60

• Al-Khalid Pack
• Z-19E Pack
• Unique title: “Golden Spears and Iron Horses”
• Unique decal: “Longma”

Players on all platforms who already own the A-5C and ZTZ96A (P) can earn the “The Dark Stallion” title and the “The Dark Stallion” decal by playing 3 battles with each vehicle (6 battles total) from February 17th (09:00 GMT) until February 24th (09:00 GMT).Players on all platforms who already own the Al-Khalid and Z-19E can earn the “Golden Spears and Iron Horses” title and the “Longma” decal by playing 3 battles with each vehicle (6 battles total) from February 17th (09:00 GMT) until February 24th (09:00 GMT).Note! This offer is valid for PC, Mac and Linux users only.

Hey everyone! Welcome to the first Community Update of 2026, where we’re going to be talking about what’s coming as well as some other bits and bobs. So sit back, grab your favourite snack and read on!Disclaimer: While we’re excited to be able to share work-in-progress information before dev blogs, the dev server and the full release, please bear in mind that new features, vehicles and maps mentioned in this news are subject to change, be delayed or even cancelled. War Thunder is constantly being developed, and as with all game development, unexpected delays or other unforeseen circumstances may occur. Thank you for your interest! Free Decal code!We love giving out free decals! We’ve made this specifically for this news post, you can place it on your aircraft (or tanks!) to alert other players of your skills!
Simply enter code STUDENTPILOT here!“Student Pilot” decalOnce you’ve logged in, the decal can be found under:

• “Student Pilot” decal: Decals > Special > Other

The decal code will remain active from the publish date of this news until March 2nd (10:00 GMT).New Community Update Pack!We’ve created a new Community Update pack featuring an avatar, decal, title and some GE. Check it out!Skilled Pilot Pack This bundle includes:

• How To Fly profile icon
• Anti-Air Trees decal
• “The Missile Knows Where It Is” title
• 300 Golden Eagles

3.9911th Crew Slot ChangesWar Thunder has 10 crew slots, with an 11th being available to obtain for inviting 10 friends who each unlock at least one rank III vehicle. This was quite difficult to do however, so we’re going to be lifting this restriction. The 11th crew slot will be purchasable for Golden Eagles instead and will not be obtainable via the referral system anymore. If you already got the 11th slot, congratulations, you already won the game having so many great friends!New Crew Skill WindowThe crew skill window has been the same for years, and during that time it hasn’t changed much, making some important information hard to understand and localize. It’s showing its age now, so it’s time to improve it! We’re going to be updating this window with a more visual approach, showing the crew members and their location within the vehicle. Crew skills don’t only affect crew members, but also some other vehicle elements. These will all be highlighted (for example, the driver’s skills conditionally improve the engine and transmission, and all of them will be highlighted). This makes each part easier to understand, with more visual appeal too!Naval AdditionsTorpedo Lines On The Mini-MapTorpedoes are a useful way to hit enemy ships that are far away. However after launching them, players often completely forget about them and have no idea of their whereabouts and if they are actually close to hitting an enemy ship. In the next major, your mini-map will show a dotted line where your torpedo has travelled, allowing you to know its whereabouts. Only your own, launched torpedoes will be shown, allied and enemy torpedoes will not be.Hit IconsWe recently added hit icons to naval to indicate what parts of the ship were hit, and whether the impact penetrated or caused damage. We received some feedback that crew icons should also be added, so you know when you hit the crew. We’ll be adding a new icon that will pop up when you incapacitate crew, the icon will give you the exact number of crew you’ve taken out, so you’ll have an even better idea of how effective your hits are!New Display of crewThe current way of displaying the number of crew in ships is complicated and not especially clear. We’ve redesigned this, with the new interface showing the crew situation of your ship more efficiently (the total number, minimum number). The crew percentage has been removed and the actual number is shown. This means there will be no situations when the number of crew members displays less than 100% at the start of the battle.Continuing onCockpitsWe’re continuing to work on new, highly detailed cockpits for existing vehicles that have placeholders. Today we’d like to show you the Ka-29 (that we mentioned a while ago) and AH-56 Cheyenne, who are receiving these new cockpits! The B-24 will also receive a highly detailed cockpit too.VehiclesAs always, we’re preparing bunch of vehicles that will be coming in the major update. The aircraft portion will be a little lighter than normal, however there will be something for everyone to enjoy. From more long awaited Hungarian aircraft to modern jets, you’ll be able to enjoy them.For ground vehicles, you can expect a unique self-propelled howitzer, some light IFVs and some other interesting vehicles.Coming on to naval, we have various interesting vessels planned, with the majority of the additions being destroyers this time around.Updates to existing jet aircraftMany of you have asked or made reports regarding the J-10C engine and its current configuration in game. We wanted to clarify that it is within our plans to change the engine to the later domestic WS-10 model, however this also requires the visual model to be updated. So you can expect to see it in the future, stay tuned.You can also expect to see the PL-12A missile added for the J-10C. This missile will have a longer range over the standard PL-12 and feature GNSS. Providing a boost to the available options for the Vigorous Dragon.Also coming for American aviation will be the AIM-120D, which will provide the USA with a needed boost over the current AIM-120C-5. This missile will feature on a new aircraft variant coming next update. But you will have to stay tuned to find out what!White Rock Fortress returns with visual improvements!The map, the myth, the legend. White Rock Fortress was taken out of the map pool 4 years ago and many players have been asking since if we’re bringing it back. It’s time to say that it’s returning to War Thunder in the next major! The map has been visually overhauled to fit 2026 standards and some areas have been reworked to improve gameplay, but it has still retained its features that we know and love! More information will be available in the dedicated dev blog and you’ll be able to test it in an upcoming dev server. Here’s a screenshot!The fortress in the North Baltic region in the early spring.Next EventThe current aircraft event for the Dutch F-16A is starting this week! We don’t want to get too ahead of ourselves, but would like to talk about what’s next. We’ll be having a naval event for a US battleship afterwards, set to start in March. Running in parallel with the naval event will be our annual football event, with both running until just before April.War Thunder - Community Update PackDon’t forget about the first Community Update pack, which is still available for purchase! It is also available for purchase on PlayStation and Xbox, so make sure to pick it up if you haven’t already!War Thunder - Community Update PackThis pack includes:

• “TOP SECRET” avatar frame
• “TOP SECRET” decal
• “TOP SECRET” title
• 300 Golden Eagles

 That’s all!Thanks for giving this Community Update a read, we hope it gives you some things to look forward to in the next update, see you soon!The War Thunder Team

The maiden flight of the light twin-engine Bo 105 helicopter took place on February 16th 1967 at the Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm airfield in Ottobrunn near Munich. The prototype took to the air with a new hingeless four-blade hub and composite blades, the key innovation of the project. The Bo 105 became the first production helicopter with a rigid rotor and one of the first light twin-engine helicopters. Its design guaranteed reliability and durability, and thanks to it, the Bo 105 could perform aerobatic maneuvers and found wide application in both military and civilian service. The BO 105 CB-2 is temporarily available at a 30% discount for 5,992 Golden Eagles!

• This offer is only available during the promotional period.

When: From February 16th (10:00 GMT) until February 19th (10:00 GMT).Where: Germany > Helicopter > Premium vehicles.

About this helicopter

• The BO 105 CB-2 is an experimental version of the Bo 105, developed for the Swedish Army’s anti-tank helicopter competition. This version features improved optics and the American BGM-71 TOW anti-tank guided missile system. Use the helicopter’s maneuverability and compact size to evade threats and launch sudden, precise strikes against enemy armored vehicles!

Welcome to the 211th War Thunder Steam Screenshot Competition!

We enjoyed looking through all of your screenshots from last week! This time, we’re highlighting the largest and heaviest machines found in battles. Whether it’s heavily armored ground vehicles, massive bombers, or imposing warships, take a screenshot that captures the size and presence of the behemoths! The three most popular and three selected by us will get 300 GE. See the winners down below!

Let’s begin the 211th edition of our competition!

Create a stunning screenshot and submit it on the War Thunder Steam Community Hub with the tag #WTscreen211. You have time until the 20th of February to submit your screenshot.

After that date, 6 winners will be selected (3 of which will be the highest rated by the community and 3 selected by our judges), each of which receive a reward of 300GE.

How to Participate!

Terms:

• Your screenshot must include a heavy tank, an aircraft with two or more engines, or a bluewater fleet vehicle.
  
• You must add the #WTscreen211 tag (title cannot have any other text in it).
  
• Artists may only win by popular vote once per four screenshot competitions.
  
• Screenshots need to be compliant with the War Thunder rules.
  
• You need to be the author of the screenshot.
  
• Screenshot needs to be new. You cannot use those which have previously been published or used in other competitions.
  
• We will only accept raw screenshots from the game. You cannot use any editing software nor any other visual enhancements (like Nvidia Ansel filters).
  
• You can use filters and settings built into War Thunder.
  
• You can use the replay functionality built into War Thunder.
  
• Rewards will be delivered to the author's account within 14 working days.
  

And now, time for the winners of the competition’s 210th edition – Tailored for Combat!

Winners selected via community votes:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3661725664
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3662119343
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3661559749

Winners selected by our judges:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3661537190
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3661667083
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3663974496

Each winner will get 300GE! Congratulations and see you next week!

Aircraft

• Mosquito F.Mk.II — a bug that caused the aircraft to turn too far to the left during takeoff has been fixed. (Report).
• Buccaneer (all variants), Javelin F.(A.W.) Mk.9 — the 3rd person camera view has been moved higher for improved visibility.
• A bug that sometimes caused previously disabled instructor options to be enabled after updating the game has been fixed. (Report, Report, Report).

 Locations and Missions

• \ Seversk-13 — a bug where sometimes players would spawn outside the playable area at the western spawn point of the northern team has been fixed. (Report).
• \ Fiji — a bug that caused the ships of the southern team to sometimes spawn outside of the battle area has been fixed. (Report).

 Graphics

• A bug where ray-traced shadows were too dark has been fixed.
• A bug where lighting would not render in the premium hangar has been fixed. (Report).

Patch notes reflect only key changes, meaning they may not include a complete list of all improvements made. Additionally, War Thunder is constantly being updated and some changes may not require an update. Changes reflected in patch notes are formed by taking reactions and requests of the community from the bug reporting service, forums and other official platforms into account. Bug fixes and changes are implemented in order of importance, for example a game-breaking bug will be worked on and implemented sooner.

The Year of the Horse is approaching, and to celebrate, we’re offering you a true workhorse of Western air forces: the ever-popular F-16A fighter in its Dutch configuration. And along with it, the emblems of two Royal Netherlands Air Force squadrons flying the F-16A. 322 Squadron traces its history back to the Second World War, when it flew with the Royal Air Force. In the 1980s, both squadrons received their F-16As and remain loyal to them to this day!

From February 19th (11:00 GMT) until March 9th (11:00 GMT), earn mission points in Air Battles, unlock stages and receive rewards!

F-16A — An Event Vehicle Dutch Jet Fighter for France at Rank VIIIThe F-16A Block 5 is an early variant of the renowned American jet fighter, produced in the Netherlands, among other countries. It is a fast, maneuverable aircraft with an excellent rate of climb. The Dutch F-16A is armed with a 20 mm Vulcan cannon and guided missiles for close-range air-to-air combat. For anti-ground engagements, it can carry both unguided ordnance and AGM-65B Maverick air-to-ground missiles.  “Emblem of the 312th Squadron” decal “Emblem of the 322nd Squadron” decal F-16A loading screenAmong the rewards in the event is also this chest. When opened, there is a chance to receive one of the following items:

• 50,000 - 100,000 Silver Lions
• Silver Lion and Research Point boosters
• Random Wagers and Orders
• Universal Backups (1 - 3)
• A random camouflage for a vehicle you own
• 1 day of Premium Account

How to get all rewardsEach stage can be achieved for 45,000 mission points, every new stage achieved will give you a new reward. 

Please note: After finishing a stage, you need to collect the reward manually. To do this, click on your name in-game, go to “Workhorse” and click the “Get Reward” button.

You’re able to earn mission points in Air Battles at Rank III or above in Arcade, Realistic and Simulator Battles. The number of mission points to complete a stage depends on the game mode and the maximum Rank of the vehicle that you use in battle. There’s a multiplier for earning mission points, which is shown in the task description in-game. You can also earn mission points by using event vehicles that are Rank I and II. Event vehicles that can be used have the name of the event that they were obtainable in on their stat card. 

Stages change every two days at 11:00 GMT on February 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th and March 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th.

Rewards are given when you complete a specific number of stages

• For 1 Stage: trophy with a random reward
• For 2 Stages: one of the decal rewards
• For 3 Stages: “Horseshoe Pouch” silver chest
• For 4 Stages: one of the decal rewards
• For 5 Stages: trophy with a random reward
• For 6 Stages: “Horseshoe Pouch” silver chest
• For 7 Stages: F-16A loading screen
• For 8 Stages: non-tradable coupon for the F-16A
• For 9 Stages: a unique camouflage and 4 random modifications for the F-16A

Unique camouflage for the F-16A

Please note: You can only receive the modifications if the F-16A is activated on your account.

Discounts for purchasing stages using Golden EaglesUnfinished stages can be purchased for Golden Eagles, but if you’re very close to completing a stage, its price will be significantly reduced.Let’s say you have earned 85% of the required mission points to complete a stage, then the price of purchasing this stage will be halved. If you’re near the finish line for a stage and are at 95% progress, then the price will be reduced by five times. For example, if you’ve scored 39,000 mission points, then the price to unlock this stage will be 499 Golden Eagles. If you’ve scored 43,000 mission points, then you’ll only need 199 Golden Eagles. Remember to keep this in mind if you cannot complete a stage on time!The Coupon UpgradeWhen you complete 8 stages, you’ll receive a non-tradable coupon for the F-16A, using it will immediately activate the vehicle onto your account. If you don’t want the vehicle and would like to sell the coupon on the Market, you’ll need the “Upgrade for coupon” item.

The “Upgrade for coupon” item can be earned in parallel with the stages throughout the event from February 19th (11:00 GMT) until March 9th (11:00 GMT) for 750,000 mission points.

After receiving the “Upgrade for coupon” item, you can convert a non-tradable coupon for the vehicle into a tradable one and sell it on the Market. The tradable coupon can be sold after 6 days from the moment it’s created. The “Upgrade for coupon” item is valid until 11:00 GMT on March 13th. Until this time, you can use it or exchange it for War Bonds. Afterwards, it’ll disappear from your inventory. 

To make a tradable coupon, select the “Coupon F-16A (France)” in your inventory and click the “Modify” button.

You can track the progress of completing stages and the “Upgrade for coupon” item by clicking on your Nickname > Achievements > Workhorse. If you don’t manage to complete a stage on time or would like to purchase a stage, you can do so with Golden Eagles until March 13th from the Achievements window, which will give you the corresponding rewards.

Celebrating Valentine’s Day on February 14th is a charming tradition dating back to the Middle Ages. Valentine cards, flowers, and chocolates became symbols of the day in the 19th and 20th centuries. War Thunder has its own Valentines day traditions, there’s a themed decal trophy, a trophy with Valentine-themed decorations and the rare MK-IX “Valentine” tank! Valentine’s Day Trophy with Decals!

When: From February 13th (11:00 GMT) until February 16th (11:00 GMT).Task: Earn 3,000 mission points in battles where you used vehicles from any nation at rank III or higher to receive the “Valentine’s Day (Decals)” trophy!

Inside this trophy, you’ll receive one of four decals that were previously available:“My Love” decal“Heart of Roses” decal“Neon Valentine” decal“Into the depths of love” decal
Valentine’s Trophy with Decorations!

When: From February 13th (11:00 GMT) until February 16th (11:00 GMT).Task: Earn a total of 20,000 mission points while using any vehicle at rank III or higher to earn the Valentine’s Day (Decorators) trophy!

Inside this trophy, you’ll receive one of three decorations that were available previously:

“Anchor of Love” decoration“Compound Bow” decoration“Teddy Bear with a Heart” decorationValentine’s Day Trophies in the in-game Item Shop 

When: From February 13th (11:00 GMT) until February 16th (11:00 GMT).

Trophies with themed decals and decorations are available in the in-game Item Shop for Golden Eagles! The decal trophy contains the four decals listed above and also others given out on Valentine’s Day in previous years. Opening a trophy will reward you with a decal or decoration that you don’t already have.
The MK-IX “Valentine” is temporarily available for 1,000 Golden Eagles!

When: From February 13th (11:00 GMT) until February 16th (11:00 GMT).Where: USSR > Army > Premium vehicles.

About this tank

• The MK-IX “Valentine” is a British tank supplied to the USSR under Lend-Lease. Its 57 mm gun has good penetration even at long ranges, making it a popular choice for countering German tanks. Its good gun depression and impressive ballistics, coupled with its low velocity, make this tank ideal for sniper roles.
  

Hey everyone! February marks one full year of historical decals returning! As of this event we’ve added 60 new decals, along with returning 60 decals from previous events, so newer players have a chance to collect them as well. Have you had any favorite decals over the past year? Inscription-based decals seem to be the most popular overall, so we’ll try and include some more interesting ones this year too.We hope you like the selection! The relatively rare Italian tortoise emblem was fun to make this time around, as was the skunk from the famous “Spray and Pray” Squadron. We’re happy to return the fairly unique "Kohlenklau" emblem for Germany as well. We’ve popped it on a Marder III here for the screenshot, but historically it was painted on a Marder II. As always, keep leaving your suggestions on the forum for future decals, and we hope you enjoy!

The following decals will be available from February 12th (11:00 GMT) until March 12th (09:00 GMT)All tasks can be completed using vehicles that are rank III or higher.

V Gruppo, 132° Reggimento Artiglieria Emblem, Italy3rd Bomb Squadron Emblem, CACW, ChinaDefeat 40 players while using Italian or Hungarian Tank DestroyersDestroy 30 Ground or Water targets while flying Chinese aircraftV Gruppo, 132° Reggimento Artiglieria EmblemThe emblem of V Gruppo, 132° Reggimento Artiglieria (5th Group, 132nd Artillery Regiment) Royal Italian Army. The 5th Group took part in the battles of El Alamein, where, despite their limited numbers, they proved very defensively capable. In the early stages of 1942, the 5th Group used this cannon-bearing tortoise as their emblem, effectively encapsulating their slow but well-armed and armored nature, along with the desert environment they operated in. It was painted low on the sides of the casemate on their Semovente da 75/18 SPGs, before being replaced with the standard battery markings. 3rd Bomb Squadron Emblem, CACWThe emblem of the 3rd Bomb Squadron, 1st Bomb Group, Chinese-American Composite Wing (Provisional). The 3rd Squadron was the final bomb squadron to be formed during World War 2, in February 1944. It was jointly commanded by Major Lee Hsueh-yen and Colonel John A. Hilger, and boasted a formidable combat record for its relatively short operational period. The emblem was designed by John Hinrichs Jr, the supply officer of the squadron. It prominently depicts a skunk in front of the rising sun, along with a peg on its nose to keep it safe from its own defense mechanism. It was derived from the motto of the squadron, “Spray and Pray,” which reflected their combat duties of strafing Japanese positions with their heavily armed B-25 aircraft. They operated several Mitchell variants, with the emblem often painted to the sides of the nose towards the front.Trompe La Mort Inscription, France"Some Chicken" Marking, Australia107 Squadron (OTU) Emblem, IsraelFinish in position 1-5 five times using French TanksDefeat 20 players using bombs while using British or Australian AircraftDefeat 40 players using Israeli Aircraft
Trompe La Mort InscriptionTrompe La Mort Inscription, French Army. The inscription is an Old-French saying, directly translated as “To Cheat Death,” but idiomatically “Daredevil” would be more appropriate as a contemporary interpretation. A catalyst for its popularity is the 1835 novel Le Père Goriot by Honoré de Balzac, where the phrase appears as a nickname for one of the characters. It has something of a lineage in regards to military vehicles as well, first appearing on a Schneider CA1 AFV in the First World War. As direct inspiration, the inscription has also appeared on several more modern tanks in the French Army. This stenciled example was painted on the turret sides of a Leclerc MBT towards the rear."Some Chicken" Marking“Some Chicken” marking, No. 43 Squadron, RAAF. The squadron was formed in Queensland, Australia on May 1st 1943. It exclusively operated the PBY-5 Catalina, and primarily took part in reconnaissance, mine laying, and anti-shipping duties. The inscription comes from a quote from Winston Churchill; after France fell in 1940, a French general remarked, "In three weeks England will have her neck wrung like a chicken." In December 1941, Churchill retorted with “some chicken,” in relation to the Commonwealth’s continued defiance against the Axis powers in an address to the Canadian parliament. It was painted under the front window on Catalina A24-65 OX-H. The chick may have also had a clockwork key on the back of its head, though photo evidence of this element is interpretive.107 Squadron (OTU) EmblemThe emblem of 107 Squadron’s Operational Training Unit, IAF. 107 Squadron was formed in February 1953 at the Ramat David airbase, as a response to the rapid expansion of the IAF, which necessitated swift and effective training for new pilots. The squadron was equipped with at least 39 Mk IX Spitfires, and successfully trained 21 fighter pilots between 1953 and 1954. The squadron operated in this form until 1956 when the Spitfires were retired, but would later reform as a Meteor and Ouragan squadron several years later. The emblem of the OTU depicts a tiger in silhouette leaping over the IAF insignia, and was often painted behind and below the engine exhaust on several of the squadron’s Spitfires.

"Kohlenklau" Emblem, Pzjr.Abt. 561, Germany301st Tactical Fighter Squadron Emblem (7th Air Wing), JapanFinish in position 1-3 three times using German tanksDefeat 20 players using missiles while flying Japanese Aircraft"Kohlenklau" Emblem, Pzjr.Abt. 561An emblem of Panzerjäger-Abteilung 561 (561st Tank Destroyer Battalion), Wehrmacht. This marking depicts the “Kohlenklau” (Coal Thief), a German propaganda character used to encourage citizens to conserve energy and resources during the war. The campaign was launched in late 1942 and resulted in many posters and publications; the character even featured in a 1944 animation as well as a board game. The emblem was a personal marking of Marder II commander Helmut Kohlke, likely chosen due to the similarity between the name of the character and his surname. The face of the Kohlenklau was painted on both sides of his Marder, on the upper casemate towards the front. 301st Tactical Fighter Squadron Emblem (7th Air Wing)The tail marking of the 301st Tactical Fighter Squadron, JASDF. The squadron was formed provisionally on August 1st 1972, and was formally activated as the 301st on October 16th 1973 as part of the 7th Air Wing. Having a frog as the tail marking fell into place quite naturally. It was based on one of the many frog species that inhabit the surrounding area of the Hyakuri Airbase, and linguistically shares a fitting sentiment for pilots. The Japanese word for frog (蛙) is phonetically the same as the phrase “to return” (帰る) spoken as ka-eh-ru, which turned frogs into symbols of good luck and safe return. The seven stars on the scarf represent the 7th Air Wing, though as the squadron has been attached to several wings, there are other variants with fewer stars. It was painted on the tail of the F-4EJ Phantoms of the squadron, under the diagonal formation light strip.

DESRON 9 Emblem, USAPersonal Marking of Grigori Kogrushev, 168 IAP, USSRBRIG 5 Emblem, NorwayScore 20000 Damage using American Bluewater VesselsPlay 20 battles using Soviet Aircraft with a minimum of 60% Battle ActivityWin 10 battles using Swedish TanksPersonal Marking of Grigori Kogrushev, 168 IAPThe personal marking of Grigori Aleksandrovich Kogrushev, 168 IAP (168th Fighter Aviation Regiment), Soviet Air Force. Grigori boasted a distinguished career in the air force, commanding the 11th, 172nd, and 168th regiments during the Second World War. Aside from flying the I-16 during the Spanish Civil War, he primarily piloted Yak fighters, and shot down a total of six aircraft, with two being shared. On June 13th, 1944, he transitioned to the Yak-9B fighter-bomber, which he would fly until the end of the war. His personal ace of hearts marking was painted under the engine exhausts towards the front on his Yak-9B, serial number 12153100.DESRON 9 EmblemThe emblem of Destroyer Squadron 9, United States Navy. The squadron was first formed in 1920 with early four-piper destroyers, and operated until 1930 when it was decommissioned temporarily. It was later reactivated in 1937, equipped with Porter and Somers class destroyers, including USS Davis, Moffett and Somers, and saw action in both the Atlantic and Pacific. The squadron took part in many operations after the Second World War as well, including the Korean War and Desert Storm, and currently operates the Arleigh Burke-class. The badge of the squadron prominently portrays naval military strength and honor, with the famous phrase “En garde” conveying the sentiment “get ready to fight!”. BRIG 5 EmblemThe Emblem of 5th Brigade, Norwegian Army. The 5th Brigade was a Type 78 infantry brigade attached to the Øst-Oppland Defence District, which also used the same emblem but with a red background. The badge was created in the early 1980s by Major General Thorbjørn Bergersen, and depicts a Birkebeiner warrior. They are most well known for an event in 1206, where two Birkebeiners skied the infant Prince Haakon to safety through a blizzard during the Norwegian civil war, who would go on to become the king of Norway. These exploits cemented the warriors in culture and history, and make for a desirable subject for a military badge. There is limited information to suggest that the marking was painted on the brigade's M113 and M109 vehicles; it was more commonly seen as a shoulder patch.
Monthly markings can be found in a special tab at the bottom of the customization menu, (Monthly Decals) after a month, they’ll be moved to their corresponding category.You can check the exact terms and track the progress of completing tasks for these decals by going to your Player Profile > Decals > Monthly Decals. From here, click the “Track progress” button on each decal to track from the hangar.All of the emblems will come with a detailed description. This will generally consist of the history of the marking, its design, which vehicles used it, and where it was often placed on vehicles historically if applicable (some emblems are taken from badges, which weren’t always applied). This way you can more easily recreate the original positioning if you’d like.Thanks for a year of support decal enjoyers! We’ll keep going strong into 2026 and will continue to include interesting markings for you to collect, from the common to the obscure. Enjoy the selection and we’ll see in a month for more.