War Thunder News & Announcements
Ground Vehicles
  • Fixed unnatural shaking of tanks when driving on sandy surfaces.
 Sound
  • Fixed an issue where the voices of Elsa and Maria were swapped in the voice overs.
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.
Hi everyone, some of our game services are currently experiencing instability. You may run into issues signing in to your account, connecting to matches, and viewing in-game purchases. Our team is already working on resolving the problem.Thanks for your patience, we apologize for any inconvenience!
On June 9th 1892, Nikolai Nikolaevich Polikarpov was born. He was one of the founders of the Soviet fighter aircraft design school in the 1930s. His design bureau developed the I-16 (the world’s first mass-produced monoplane fighter with retractable landing gear), the I-15 and I-153 “Chaika” (the most mass-produced biplane fighters in the USSR in the second half of the 1930s), and the U-2 (an extremely popular multirole aircraft). After the designer’s death in 1944, the U-2 was renamed the Po-2 in his honor. 30% discount on Soviet fighters! 
When: From June 9th (11:00 GMT) until June 12th (11:00 GMT)Where: USSR /  Aviation  > Premium Vehicles.
  • I-16 type 28 (Rank II) for 945 Golden Eagles
  • I-153P for 665 Golden Eagles
  • Zhukovsky's I-153-M62 (Rank I) for 280 Golden Eagles
 You can only purchase the I-16 type 28 during the promotion. About these aircraft
  • Fans of low-level maneuvering combat will appreciate the I-16 type 28 fighter, which offers a high rate of climb and maneuverability, armed with two 20 mm ShVAK cannons and two 7.62 mm ShKAS machine guns. It also won’t disappoint those looking for ground attack, thanks to its six 82 mm unguided rockets and two FAB bombs weighing up to 100 kg.
  • Both I-153 “Chaika” variants  have access to FAB-50sv bombs and ROS-82 unguided rockets. The difference lies in the forward armament: the I-153P is ready to give it some heat with two 20 mm ShVAK aircraft cannons, while Zhukovsky’s I-153-M62 relies on four 7.62 mm ShKAS machine guns with an impressive ammunition supply of 2,470 rounds.
Today we’re pleased to present the long awaited Hummel! This powerful SPG will be joining the lower ranks of the German research tree in the next major update.s.FH 18/1 (Sf.) auf III/IV Hummel: An SPG for Germany at Rank IIAt a glance:
  • Various shell types, including HE, SAP, and AP-TS
  • Powerful 150 mm cannon!
  • Poor protection
  • Average mobility
 Vehicle HistoryIn late July 1942, a new directive regarding SPGs came from German high command. For medium SPG platforms, the planned 105 mm guns were deemed too underpowered for the platform, and going forward all heavy SPGs were to mount 150 mm guns instead. This effectively killed the in-progress Pz.Sfl.IVb project, and support was redirected to a new design.Selecting a hull was the first hurdle, the Pz. III chassis was steadily becoming obsolete. The Pz. IV had potential, but came with its own tribulations. The solution was to create a hybrid design incorporating elements of both, such as the transmission, drive sprocket and final drive from the Pz. III, and the suspension of the Pz. IV. This design came with compromises, the most challenging of which was the placement of the engine, which had to sit under the huge 150 mm sFH 18 howitzer. This made field maintenance a regularly daunting task, as the entire gun array had to be removed in order to service the engine.One advantage was the large internal space the crew had to operate in, which aided in comfort and loading. A downside to this however was the lack of space for ammo storage, having room for only 18 rounds, which often necessitated Hummels to be supported by specialized ammunition carriers.In service, the Hummel was not highly rated by crews. On top of the maintenance issues, its suspension and relatively weak engine made traversing wild terrain difficult, and constant mechanical failures paired with a staggering lack of spare parts put a lot of Hummels out of action outside of combat. Despite this however, the Hummel did fulfill its goal; it could keep pace with armored divisions and provide heavy artillery support where needed, though it was ultimately held back by mechanical stress and design limitations.Introducing the Hummel!It’s been a long time coming, but we’re very pleased to finally be adding the Hummel to War Thunder! Germany is already well stocked when it comes to high-caliber ground vehicles, so what makes the Hummel different? Well, quite a bit actually! Let’s have a look.We’ll start with the most interesting part here, the firepower. The Hummel will be able to equip a surprisingly large variety of shell types. Aside from two HE shells, the Hummel will also be able to equip smoke, HEAT, SAP (Anti-Concrete), and a very special APHE shell. The Hummel can field the 150 mm Pzgr 39 TS shell, which is effectively an APHE-Sabot containing a 88 mm Pzgr 39 round, giving the Hummel a very potent anti-tank shell that will be more than capable of penetrating anything at the rank!So much choice! How will you ever decide which shells to take into battle? Well, it may be a bit of a challenge. The Hummel can only equip a maximum of 18 shells, and while you will have access to an ammo crate to replenish your stocks, if you wanted to take an equal mix of every shell type into combat, you’d only be able to equip 3 shells of each, so pick your ammo wisely. Did you know? Hummel means “Bumblebee”, following the insect-based names of other German artillery, like Wespe (Wasp) and Grille (Cricket).So, what else can you expect from the Hummel? Well aside from the firepower, the remaining aspects of the vehicle are very similar to the Nashorn. They share the same engine, chassis, and round off at roughly the same weight as well. This means the Hummel will have relatively average mobility, but quite a quick hull traverse, which is a very handy trait for a turretless vehicle. Armor is the primary weakness of course, the vehicle is completely open topped and barely bulletproof, only able to withstand rifle caliber rounds.Positioning the Hummel will be a tricky task, it only has -3 degrees of gun depression which almost entirely limits it to flat ground. Defensive positions at range are the most ideal for the Hummel. Though, nothing is stopping you from having a brawl if you’re confident and quick on the trigger!That’s all for today, we hope you’re as excited as we are to play the Hummel when it arrives to the research tree in the next major update. Until then keep checking in, and we’ll see you shortly for even more!Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.
We’re starting to test the updated Nuclear Escalation Mode!The Nuclear Escalation event has launched in the Heavy Cavalry major update’s dev server! We’ve refined and improved the large-scale nuclear conflict that you experienced back in April. We’ve made numerous changes, but the main ones include:
  • Players can now fly their own aircraft from any nation
  • An AI-controlled fleet has been added to the mission
  • The overall front line has been increased
There’s also changes to game mechanics, various tweaks, improvements and new features. Let’s take a look at them below!The Tension is Mounting!All in-game nations can now participate in this version of Nuclear Escalation! Battle Ratings now range from 13.0 to 14.7, and the matchmaking system utilizes Battle Rating brackets within this range as needed, ensuring balanced encounters in every battle.We’ve also expanded the front line: the line of contact has been extended to the mountains, increasing the map’s tactical depth. Carrier strike groups, supported by missile ships, have been added to control the coastal zone. More modern AI-controlled ground vehicles have been introduced for higher-rank battles in the mode as well.New OpportunitiesWe’ve made some major changes to the general event mechanics. The escalation system has been reworked, removing the need for strategic bombers with megaton bombs. Nuclear strikes will now be carried out with bombs of 5 and 30 kiloton yields, carried by the same aircraft that carry nuclear bombs in Ground Battles, depending on the Battle Rating bracket. The behemoths from the April event, the B-52H and Tu-95M bombers, may return as a separate Nuclear Escalation event in the future.The match completion conditions have also changed. The main base is now easier to destroy, but destroying it no longer grants instant victory. Victory is now determined by the total number of points earned for destroying any target: enemy aircraft, AI-controlled vehicles, and airfields.In addition, the marker system has been improved when viewing from an aircraft. Markers for ground and surface targets are now displayed depending on the angular size of the target, meaning that markers for buildings are visible 3-5 times further than markers for ground vehicles.A new respawn mechanic has been introduced. Aircraft are now temporarily locked from respawing on the airfields from which they departed from. Respawning with the same aircraft from other airfields is possible immediately. This change is intended to prevent players from instantly returning to combat in the same position and encourage more cautious, tactical behavior.And finally, the minimap now features tooltips for respawn bases. Hovering over them provides information about the airfield’s status. This new feature simplifies navigation and improves situational awareness for the team.The fire control system for air defense vehicles has undergone significant changes here too. Target filters have been implemented, meaning that air defense systems will now engage guided missiles (especially air-to-air missiles and surface-to-air missiles) significantly less frequently. This will only occur if there are no aircraft in the firing range and the air defense system considers the missile an immediate threat.Test Nuclear Escalation on the Dev Server!Testing of the updated Nuclear Escalation mode has begun on the dev server! Please be sure to give it a try, and report any issues that you encounter. We’d also like to hear your suggestions for improving the mode. We’re planning to launch Nuclear Escalation on the main War Thunder servers as a game event soon. Until then, have fun!
First of all, we want to make it clear that the use of generative AI for in-game vehicle textures is not authorized by Gaijin and is prohibited under our contracts with outsourcing partners. During our investigation, we found that one of the outsourcing teams that assists us with vehicle models and textures used GenAI while preparing some materials. This was done without our approval, and unfortunately the issue was not detected by our internal quality control process in time.We are now reviewing all work delivered by this team and reassessing our future cooperation with them. We are also improving our quality control procedures to reduce the risk of similar cases happening again.At the same time, the reports we received include several different cases, and they should not all be treated in the same way.M60In gallery above you can see different layers with textures. The Gemini logo is only on small auxiliary tiled texture.In the case of the M60 camouflage, GenAI was used by an outsourcing team to generate a placeholder tiled camouflage texture. Temporary service textures are commonly used at an early stage of production to check how a model looks and works before the final texture is created, but normally procedural tiles or other placeholder materials are used for this purpose. However, in this particular case, the placeholder texture was AI-generated and moved further along the production pipeline unnoticed. This should not have happened, and we will take additional measures to prevent similar issues in the future.Challenger 2 OES (Senrai Maidens)"The pre-final reference image (contains an incorrect British flag on the turret's cheeks that was later corrected before the model was implemented in-game)"As for the anime-themed Emily tank (Challenger 2), the vehicle design itself was created by artists without the use of generative AI, and there are no Gemini-like logos in the tank’s actual design materials. Some players may see a similarity between the Gemini logo and elements on the black flag mounted at the rear of the turret, but this is simply a design element created by humans. Multiple versions of this flag were explored during development, including variants with several stars and a version with a single star positioned at the end of the white line.On the other hand, the Gemini watermark that appeared on the vinyl record artwork in materials related to the Emily tank originated during the processing of manually created reference materials by the same outsourcing team. This was not authorized by Gaijin and should not have passed quality control.We sincerely apologize for the oversights in these cases. We also want to thank the players who noticed these issues and reported them to us. Their attention helped us identify a problem in the production pipeline, and we are taking steps to address it.Yak-130In the case of the Yak-130, the element that some players associated with the Gemini logo comes from real-world reference photos. Similar symbols and markings can be seen on many real Yak-130 aircraft (link to photo on Wikipedia), as well as on other Russian military aircraft. This part of the texture was therefore based on actual reference material, not on AI-generated imagery.Fuel pictogram
Today, we’re taking a look at the most advanced modification of the Abrams, the third variant of the SEP modernization with the TUSK add-on armor package. Meet the M1A2C in the Heavy Cavalry update!M1A2C & Australian M1A2: Main Battle Tanks for the US and Great Britain at Rank VIIIAt a glance:
  • Enhanced turret protection
  • TUSK add-on armor kits with ERA blocks
  • New M829A3 APFSDS rounds for new and existing SEP V2 tanks!
  • New HE round with a programmable fuse for the American M1A2C
  • KE-W A2 APFSDS round for the Australian M1A2 (Great Britain)
 Using the M1A2C Abrams in Battle!Right off the bat, the M1A2C is the most modern variant of the US Abrams main battle tank. In terms of differences from the SEP V2 model, the M1A2C features an even more robust frontal turret protection and new ammunition.The M1A2C, like its direct predecessors, offers the researchable TUSK add-on armor package with explosive reactive armor blocks. Some changes have also been made to the armament: the M1A2C, like the SEP V2 series, features the new M829A3 APFSDS round, which provides increased effectiveness against certain types of ERA. The US version also features the XM1147 HEF round with a programmable fuse, while the Australian version replaces the top-of-the-line M829A3 APFSDS round with only a slightly inferior KE-W A2 tungsten-cored round.The Abrams is one of the best tanks in the game with great all-around mobility, excellent protection, a modern fire control system, and strong firepower. Thanks to enhanced armor, the M1A2C can now operate more decisively in open areas, both offensively and defensively.Feature Spotlight: ArmorThe already formidable turret protection of the Abrams has been further enhanced, with the turret cheeks now virtually invulnerable at medium and long ranges. The icing on the cake is the TUSK add-on armor package with curved ARAT 2 ERA plates, which cover the sides of the hull and turret to protect against shaped-charge munitions.Interesting: Don’t miss the new M1A2 (Trophy) model with an Active Protection System!
Developer comment: The M1A2C is an evolution of the M1A2 family, modernized under the SEP program. The tank is in active service with the US and allied armies, so we’re pleased to add this modification as the pinnacle of M1A2 lineup to War Thunder. Along with this modification for US and UK tech trees, in the Heavy Cavalry update we’re adding the SEP V2 (Trophy) version enhanced with a hard-kill active protection system to the US lineup, while the British tree will get its own Australian M1A1 AIM main battle tank as a squadron vehicle. Like India and South Africa already, Australian operated vehicles continue to find their home in the British tree.  The existing Squadron AIM variant will remain as it is in the US tree.
Vehicle HistoryThe M1A2C (previously known as the SEP V3) is the next evolution of the American Abrams main battle tank. Development was based on the previous SEP V2 modification, and nine prototypes were produced by October 2015. The tank received reinforced frontal turret armor, the XM1147 universal projectile, and a new low-profile CROWS-LP remote-controlled weapon station.In September 2018, the modification was officially designated M1A2C. Serial production began in 2020, with the first vehicles entering service with the 1st US Cavalry Division in Texas. The new Abrams immediately attracted the attention of foreign customers. In 2024, the first M1A2C tanks were delivered to Australia, and in 2025, a batch of tanks were delivered to Poland.That’s all for this blog, stay tuned for more dev blogs coming soon! We also hope you like the new dev blog layout, primarily focusing on the vehicle in-game and comments from the developers. Let us know what you think!Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.


Welcome to the 227th War Thunder Steam Screenshot Competition!

We enjoyed getting to see all of your screenshots from last week, thank you! This week will feature light vehicles such as IFV’s, light fighter aircraft, and patrol boats. Be sure to use their agility and the element of surprise- they do not have the ability to take much damage! The three most popular and three selected by us will get 300 GE. See the winners down below!

Let’s begin the 227th edition of our competition!

Create a stunning screenshot and submit it on the War Thunder Steam Community Hub with the tag #WTscreen227. You have time until the 12th of June 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 an aircraft or helicopter with one engine, a light tank or wheeled vehicle, or a coastal fleet vehicle.
  • You must add the #WTscreen227 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 226th edition – Along the Waterline!

Winners selected via community votes:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3737093068
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3735634433
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3736040345

Winners selected by our judges:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3738673287
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3735887256
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3735966735

Each winner will get 300GE! Congratulations and see you next week!
Introducing the WTCS Trophy V, featuring 40 camouflages by authors from WT Live! This new trophy contains 40 camouflages for various vehicles, both for ground and air vehicles in fictional or semi-historical styles. For this trophy, we’ve covered a wide range of vehicles across different tiers including some machines that so far have no camouflage options too!Contents of the WTCS Trophy V:
  • Coupons for rare vehicles
  • 18 camouflage coupons for aircraft
  • 22 camouflage coupons for ground vehicles

Aircraft
  • Su-30MK2 AMV — “Star of Maracaibo” (USSR)
  • MiG-29 (9-13) — “Sea Dragon” (USSR)
  • Yak-9K — “Crimson Scythe” (USSR)
  • Su-25SM3 — “Akula” (USSR)
  • P-63A-5 — “Chomper” (USA)
  • F-4J Phantom II — “Sea Specter” (USA)
  • F-16CM PoBIT — “Rocketeer” (USA) 
  • AV-8C — “Midnight Marauder” (USA)
  • EF-2000 (AESA) — “Cloud Guardian” (Germany)
  • Fw 190 D-9 — “Tigerhai” (Germany)
  • MiG-29 (9-12A) — “Duerre” (Germany)
  • A32A — “Forfadern” (Sweden)
  • JAS39E — “Crowns Legacy”  (Sweden)
  • Mirage 2000C-S5 — “Deux Mille” (France)
  • Potez 631 — “Mouette” (France)
  • Bf 109 G-14/AS — “Red Devil” (Italy)
  • J-15T — “Unknown Sands” (China)
  • Typhoon (AESA) — “Typhoon Heritage Team” (Great Britain)
Ground Vehicles
  • M36B2 — “Albi” (France)
  • AMX-50 (TOA100) — “Nuages Sur Les Champs” (France)
  • AMX-13 — “Urban Phantom” (France)
  • Leclerc S2 — “Orléans 1429” (France)
  • M1296 Dragoon — “Wildcat” (USA)
  • M26 — “Firestarter” (USA)
  • Leopard 2A4 — “Nibelungen” (Germany)
  • Leopard 2A5 — “Helhest”  (Germany)
  • Tiger II (Nr.1-50) — “Kriegsgott”  (Germany)
  • Brummbär — “Claus”  (Germany)
  • Wiesel 1A4 — “Shadow Stalker”  (Germany)
  • Pz.Bef.Wg.VI P — “Night Hunter” (Germany)
  • BMPT-72 — “Epsilon 06” (USSR)
  • Tortoise - “Arundel” (Great Britain)
  • Challenger 3 TD — “Expo Dazzle” (Great Britain)
  • Vickers Mk.7 — “Cheetah” (Great Britain)
  • Khalid — “Mosaic” (Great Britain)
  • Type 62 — “Taklamakan” (China)
  • TKX (P) — “Izu Oshima” (Japan)
  • ST-A3 — “Warrior Spirit” (Japan)
  • Centauro II (P) — “Urbanus Percussorem” (Italy)
  • Tiger E — “Brünhild” (Germany)

Like the previous Esports trophy, the new trophy can be obtained by simply playing regular War Thunder battles. In the future, it’ll also be possible to obtain by participating in Esports events in War Thunder tournaments with an increased chance! PlayStation and Xbox players can purchase the trophy in the Item Shop for Golden Eagles.To open it, you’ll need to purchase a key on the Market (income is shared with the authors of the camouflages). You can either activate the coupon on your account, or trade it on the Market to get Gaijin Coins (GJN). A trophy can be sold as well!To unlock the trophy, you’ll need an “Esports” key that can be purchased on the Market for GJN.About the other trophies: War Thunder Championships Series, the Major II Pro League continues!Watch WTCS Pro League Major II and Earn Twitch Drops!There are 6 teams still in the race, all trying to score as many points as possible in hopes of winning the €5,000 cash prize.For viewers, on Saturday June 6th and Sunday June 7th, support your favorite teams live starting at 14:40 GMT and receive exclusive Twitch Drops, including the “Tree… Tree! TREE!!!” decal and the Su-33 “Wolverine” camouflage.
“Tree… Tree! TREE!!!” picture Su-33 “Wolverine” picture YouTubeTwitch Stay ConnectedMake sure to follow us on our social media channels to stay updated with match schedules, highlights, exclusive content, and future events on X and Instagram.Join the community, support your favorite team, and be part of the action throughout the entire 2026 season!

Pssss! An exciting, twist-filled announcement will be revealed this weekend during the live and on our Social media! Esports Bundle - 2026 Season -15%To get to our online Store through Steam, go to the in-game hangar > Shop > Online Store.This pack includes:
  • Esports Veteran Pack - Season 2026
  • Winter Warrior Esports Pack - Season 2026
15.98 13.58
Since 2002, every year on the first Sunday in June, Canada has recognized its active military personnel, reservists, and their families. This day includes open houses at military bases, equipment displays, meetings with service members, awards ceremonies, and military band concerts. Join us in celebrating! The “Never Pass a Fault” bundle is in the Gaijin Store at a 50% discount! 
When: From June 5th (13:00 GMT) until June 8th (13:00 GMT)
“Never Pass a Fault” Bundle -50%74.99This bundle includes:
  • Leopard 2A4M CAN Pack
  • CF-188A Hornet Pack
  • Unique “Never Pass a Fault” title
 Please note: You can also get the title if you already have all the vehicles from the bundle and play three battles in each of these vehicles before June 8th (13:00 GMT).30% discount on Canadian vehicles!
When: From June 5th (13:00 GMT) until June 8th (13:00 GMT)Where: USA / Great Britain > Army / Aviation / Bluewater fleet  > Premium Vehicles.
  • USA: Stuart VI (5th CAD) (Rank II) for 490 Golden Eagles
  • USA: M4A5 (Rank II) for 805 Golden Eagles
  • Great Britain: Prendergast’s Spitfire FR Mk.XIVe (Rank IV) for 4263 Golden Eagles
  • Great Britain: Ram II (Rank II) for 805 Golden Eagles
  • Great Britain: HMCS Haida (Rank III) for 3416 Golden Eagles
 
  • HMCS Haida, Stuart VI (5th CAD) and Prendergast’s Spitfire FR Mk.XIVe are only available for purchase with Golden Eagles during the promotion.
Open the “Canadian Armed Forces Day” trophy!
When: From June 5th (13:00 GMT) until June 8th (13:00 GMT)Task: Earn 3,000 mission points in battles where you used British vehicles at rank III or higher to receive the “Canadian Armed Forces Day” trophy!
Inside this trophy, you’ll receive one of three decals: “Emblem of the Canadian Armed Forces” decal“Lesser emblem of the Canadian army” decal“Canadian Armed Forces Day” decalThe “Canadian Armed Forces Day” decal is located in the “Holidays” vehicle customization section. The “Lesser emblem of the Canadian army” and “Emblem of the Canadian Armed Forces” decals are located in the “Allies → Tanks” vehicle customization section. If you already have all three decals, you’ll receive a trophy containing one of the following items:
  • 20-50% Research Point booster for 3-10 battles
  • 20-50% Silver Lion booster for 3-10 battles
  • 3-5 universal backups
  • 1 day of Premium account
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 → Canadian Armed Forces Day
June 6th 1944 was one of the most important days in the history of the Second World War. As part of the massive Operation Overlord, the Western Front opened in the European theater of operations through the coordinated efforts of the Allied army, air force, and navy. More than 150,000 soldiers landed on the beaches of Normandy, marking the beginning of the rapid liberation of France. Unique Bundles Available in the Gaijin Store!
When: From June 5th (11:00 GMT) until June 8th (11:00 GMT).
To get to the Gaijin Store through Steam, go to the in-game hangar > Shop > Online Store.
“First in Deed” Bundle -30%68.85
  • M4A3E2 Sherman Jumbo Cobra King;
  • M18 Black Cat Pack;
  • George Bostwick's P-47M-1-RE Thunderbolt Pack;
  • Mustang Pack;
  • Unique title: “First in Deed”;
  • Unique decal: “First United States Army Insignia”.
 “Sledgehammer” Bundle -30%65.77
  • M10 Achilles Pack;
  • Sherman Firefly Ic Pack;
  • Prendergast`s Spitfire FR Mk.XIVe Pack;
  • Typhoon Pack;
  • Unique title: “Sledgehammer”;
  • Unique decal: “2nd Army Formation badge”.
 “Overlord” Bundle -50%96.16
  • M4A3E2 Sherman Jumbo Cobra King;
  • M18 Black Cat Pack;
  • George Bostwick's P-47M-1-RE Thunderbolt Pack;
    Mustang Pack;
  • M10 Achilles Pack;
  • Sherman Firefly Ic Pack;
  • Prendergast`s Spitfire FR Mk.XIVe Pack;
  • Typhoon Pack;
  • Unique title: “Overlord”;
  • Unique decal: "SHAEF insignia".
+ Decals and titles from “First in deed” and “Sledgehammer” bundles. 
Please note! You can also get the unique titles and decals if you log into the game from June 5th to June 8th and get at least three victories, while at the same time you have previously purchased all separate packs that are included in the bundles above.
Take part in the Wings Over Water event to get the Spitfire Mk Vb Floatplane! 
When: From June 3rd (11:00 GMT) until June 15th (11:00 GMT).
Take part in air battles, earn points, receive themed decals and a Spitfire Mk.Vb floatplane with legendary British pilot Nigel at the controls! Pages of History (June): The Beaches of Normandy! 
When: From June 1st (11:00 GMT) until June 30th (11:00 GMT).
Earn the Landing zone: Normandy player profile background by completing 8 Pages of History missions throughout June!  Get the “D-Day 2026” decal!“D-Day 2026” decal
When: June 5th (11:00 GMT) until June 8th (11:00 GMT).Task: Earn 3,000 mission points in battles where you used US, British or French vehicles at rank III or higher to receive the “D-Day 2026” decal! Please note: After finishing the task, you need to collect the reward manually. Additional details:
  • You can complete the task in random battles.
  • Track your progress in the hangar by clicking Nickname → Achievements → Holidays → D-Day.
  • You can find the decal in the “Holidays” tab in the customization menu.
HMS Belfast and USS Arkansas are available at a 50% Discount! 
When: From June 5th (11:00 GMT) until June 8th (11:00 GMT).Where: USA / Great Britain > Bluewater fleet > Premium vehicles.
  • USA: USS Arkansas (Rank V) for 4,010 Golden Eagles
  • Great Britain: HMS Belfast (Rank IV) for 4,010 Golden Eagles
 USS Arkansas is only available for purchase during the promotion.About these ships
  • HMS Belfast is now a museum ship in London, but she fought in many battles in the mid-20th century. HMS Belfast escorted Arctic convoys to the Soviet Union, participated in the Battle of North Cape and the sinking of the battleship Scharnhorst, and provided fire support during the Normandy landings. In the game, this light cruiser boasts well-protected magazines, a powerful anti-aircraft battery, and a powerful broadside. However, the lack of armor-piercing shells forces the ship to close in on enemies.
  • USS Arkansas patrolled and escorted ships across the Atlantic. In June 1944, she provided fire support during the Normandy landings, and in August, in southern France. At the end of the war, she distinguished herself in the Pacific theater during the landings on Iwo Jima and Okinawa. For a dreadnought, the Arkansas had a decent anti-aircraft battery, and her main battery consisted of a whopping twelve 305 mm guns.
D-Day TournamentsDon’t miss the D-Day tournaments! Check the TSS portal through the link below. D-DAY TOURNAMENTS
Today we’re starting pre-orders for this famous member of the F-14 family!F-14D: A Premium Naval Fighter for the USA at Rank VIIIAt a glance:
  • Strong flight performance
  • Digital radar/IRST with optical target identification
  • Phoenix and Sparrow air-to-air missiles, as well as Sidewinders for close combat
  • JDAM, Paveway II, and Paveway III family bombs
  • Flare/Chaff pods
Pre-order - F-14D PackTo get to the Gaijin Store through Steam, go to the in-game hangar > Shop > Online Store.79.99This pack includes:
  • F-14D (Rank VIII, USA)
  • Premium account for 30 days
  • 3000 Golden Eagles
  • Pre-order bonus: unique "Maverick" title
  • Pre-order bonus: unique "F-14D Takeoff" decal
  • Pre-order bonus: unique camouflage of the VX-9 Vampires (Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Nine) of the US Navy, Point Mugu, California
Vehicle HistoryInitially, the F-14D Super Tomcat program was intended to be a major upgrade of the US Navy’s carrier-based fighter fleet, involving the construction of 304 new aircraft and the modernization of 200 existing F-14As and Bs. However, with the end of the Cold War, military budgets were cut, leading to a radical reduction in the program. Ultimately, from 1989 to 1992, Grumman built only 37 new aircraft and modernized another 18 older ones, after which production was ultimately phased out. The new fighter received a significantly upgraded avionics suite. The analog radar was replaced by a digital Hughes AN/APG-71 with increased detection range, improved target discrimination against the ground, and terrain mapping capabilities. The aircraft was equipped with a new IRSTS (Infrared Search-and-Track System), which combined infrared and optical channels.Although the F-14D was originally designed as an air superiority fighter, the Navy began actively expanding its strike capabilities in the 1990s. However, the lack of integrated targeting equipment limited the use of laser-guided bombs. This situation changed dramatically with the introduction of the LANTIRN pod. This system provided autonomous guidance for precision-guided munitions and began to be delivered to squadrons in 1996. The F-14D entered service and remained in service until 2006, when it was finally replaced by the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.Introducing the F-14D!Today, pre-orders have started for this advanced Tomcat: the F-14D Super Tomcat, an American multirole carrier-based fighter capable of effectively intercepting airborne targets and performing precision ground attacks. Let’s take a look at this premium twin-engine monster!The main difference between the F-14D and the F-14B is the new AN/APG-71 radar with a digital computer, replacing the previous analog system. The radar now has a greater detection range, improved jamming resistance, and an expanded interception zone. The F-14D’s radar works in conjunction with a combined infrared search and response system (IRST) in the nose, which uses infrared and television channels, capable of tracking multiple targets simultaneously.The F-14D is equipped with the same General Electric F-110-GE400 engines, which give the aircraft a top speed of approximately 2,200 km/h and an impressive rate of climb. The Super Tomcat also inherits its predecessor’s arsenal, which can be configured for both air-to-air combat and surgically precise ground support in combined battles. Pilots have up to six AIM-54C Phoenix missiles for long-range engagements, AIM-7M Sparrow for closer ranges, and maneuverable all-aspect AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles for close-quarters combat at their disposal. The LANTIRN targeting system allows you to employ a comprehensive array of JDAM, Paveway II, and Paveway III missiles. In addition, unguided bombs and missiles can be taken into combat, as well as suspended BOL containers with small countermeasure charges, which supplement 60 salvos of flare/chaff from launchers built into the fuselage.Pre-orders for the F-14D have started today, where you can get yourself the premium plane itself, pre-order bonuses as well as Golden Eagles and premium account time. Check it out!The F-14D will arrive in War Thunder with the release of the Heavy Cavalry major update. See you in the skies, commanders!Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.
Today we’re talking about the graphical rework of the Ash River, 38th Parallel, and Ardennes (Winter) locations and arresting gear at ground airfields!Ground Battle LocationsThe Heavy Cavalry major update brings great news for tankers and pilots! First, we’d like to show you the first screenshots of the locations for Ground Battles. The game environment, objects, buildings, and roads have been completely redesigned for the 38th Parallel and Ash River locations, and a new version of the winter Ardennes map will be added. On all maps, we’ve strived to preserve the navigation and gameplay players are familiar with, while also implementing a major visual update aimed at creating a more realistic, atmospheric, and cinematic combat environment. We hope you enjoy!Ash River38th ParallelArdennes (Winter)Arresting GearAnother piece of good news is the addition of arresting gear at ground airfields! An arresting gear is a system of cables arranged in a series, connected to the braking system, that simplifies aircraft braking on aircraft carrier decks and short runways. An aircraft equipped with an arresting hook attaches to one or more sequentially arranged cables, significantly reducing the landing run. Now, at land-based airfields for aircraft with the arresting hook, it will be deployed automatically when the landing gear is lowered — press “G” by default to lower the landing gear!
Introducing the next major update trailer for War Thunder: Heavy Cavalry!
Today we’d like to talk about how we’re expanding the functionality of points of interest on top-tier aircraft!It’s hard to surprise anyone with “smart” weapons in War Thunder anymore, but we’re going to try! In the upcoming major update, we’re implementing another feature for modern weapons systems: multiple aiming points!Previously, the game only had a single, current point of interest. This made it difficult to fire guided weapons at multiple targets in a salvo, as manual targeting of each subsequent target required reorienting and finding it before launching, which increased the exposure to counterattacks from SAMs. With multiple aiming points, the time between launches, and consequently the time spent in the air defense zone is reduced, increasing the carrier’s chances of successfully returning to base.The mechanic is WIP. This is a non-final variant of the interface.How will it work? All aircraft with GNSS-guided weapons will have the ability to set new waypoints — called aiming points — new markers independent of the point of interest. Essentially, these are simply saved coordinates. You’ll be able to set up to 10 aiming points (numbered 0 to 9), switch between them, delete and edit them, and move the point of interest to the current aiming point. This can be done either by using the assigned keys or via the tactical map.Aiming points can be used for navigation purposes, for example to mark route points or danger zones, or to measure the range to specific targets, such as an airfield, as well as in combat for weapon launch. Now, it will be possible to first detect targets and “remember” their coordinates, and then, by switching between pre-marked points, guide and launch guided weapons. While weapons with IR or TV seekers will still require target acquisition before launch, and laser-guided munitions will require target designation, switching between multiple targets will be faster. This mechanic will be especially helpful against static or slow-moving enemies.However, this mechanic will expand the capabilities of satellite-guided weapons more than any other, as bombs and missiles guided by GNSS data can be linked to aiming points and launched in a single salvo (with the option of the carrier being hidden from view by terrain). Ammunition can be linked in two modes: manual and automatic. In manual mode, you link a specific munition to the current aiming point, with the ability to link multiple munitions of different types to each if you want. In automatic mode, you simply set aiming points and launch a salvo of the selected weapon. This way, the drop will expend one munition per each aiming point, starting with 0.You’ll be able to try out the expanded point-of-interest functionality in the game and bomb ground targets very soon! That’s all for now, see you in the next dev blog.Please note that the mechanics may be refined and changed before being added to the game.
We keep fighting cheaters using your reports and the anti-cheat systems, and as usual, today we’re sharing a bit of info on bans that we’ve distributed over the past month. If you’d like to help keep War Thunder free from cheating, you can find out how to file a report and how our anti-cheat system works on our Wiki.Banned accountsSince our last fair play update, we have banned 2,880 accounts that were found to have violated the rules, specifically paragraph 3.2.3 of the EULA, namely the automation of gameplay (use of bots) and cheat software.Additionally, 44 temporary bans were issued for violating paragraph 3.2.4 of the EULA. These violations included colluding with the opposing team to repeatedly capture zones and/or profiting from mutual damage without the intention of engaging in combat. Furthermore, 428 accounts were banned for a week or longer for intentional teamkilling and griefing, including 14 permanent bans.Finally, 30,365 accounts involved in referral system fraud, en-masse multi-accounting or both have been permanently banned.For complete transparency, we will publish the full list of permanently banned players. This list will be available for two weeks following the publication of this article.RecommendationsWe recommend that you set a strong password for your account and enable two-step authentication in your profile security settings. We have the following 2FA options available: email, SMS, TOTP (Gaijin Pass/Google Authenticator).We’d also suggest that you turn on 2FA for the email that is linked to your Gaijin account for additional security, as this will protect your account from fraudsters. And remember, don’t use prohibited client modifications and never share your account information with anyone.The War Thunder Team
Today we’re continuing our coverage of the new features coming in the upcoming major update, this time focusing on aircraft weapons!Comparison of missilesRecently, we added a ballistic comparison interface and armor penetration curves at different ranges to the Protection Analysis tab in the hangar for all shells and bullets in the game. In the upcoming major update, we’ll be introducing a comparison feature for guided weapons: air-to-air missiles and guided bombs!The missile parameter comparison interface is designed as a single window. On the left side is a settings section where you can set the initial launch conditions, which are consistent across all calculations: the altitude and speed of the launch vehicle and the target, as well as the distance at launch. In this section, you can also select guided missiles for comparison, and add or remove munitions from the aircraft and helicopter armament lists to compare the parameters of all missiles on a single screen.The central part of the window is occupied by a multi-layer trajectory graph, displaying curves for each selected munition in the “Trajectory” (change in the altitude and distance) and “Telemetry” (distance-time and speed-time curves) tabs. The graph dynamically changes as input data changes. This will allow you to see the missile’s characteristics at each point, including altitude, distance traveled, distance to target, and flight time, as well as observe changes in speed. Air combat in a single graph!
You can find the missile comparison interface by clicking the new button in the missile stat card in the Secondary weapons menu in the hangar. 
More information on the minimapIn the previous major update, we added a minimap tracking feature for launched aircraft ordnance in air battles. After launching guided and unguided missiles, dropping bombs or other munitions, you could see their indicators on the minimap (default key: M), and you could also navigate to the selected ordnance in flight to track it closely (default key: U). Now, left-clicking on a projectile’s indicator will also display its name and current velocity!
Sound
  • The ability to use sound mods has been temporarily disabled in the WIP client. Thank you to everyone who tested sound mods on the WIP client; thanks to your help, we have found some issues, including client crashes. Because of this, we’ve had to postpone the enabling of sound mods on the main client. We’re continue to work on fixing the issues and plan to continue testing sound mods on the Dev Server to identify remaining problems before the next major update release. Sound mods will be enabled on the main game client as soon as we fix any critical bugs. If you encounter any, please leave a report, as they will help us solve the remaining issues as fast as possible.
  • The ability to enable and disable special voice overs for specially decorated vehicles has been added to the Sound settings menu.
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 Senrai Maidens squad faces a new threat: operatives Emily, Ling, and Usagi must thwart the nefarious plans of a mysterious PMC and stop a train hurtling straight toward a cliff! The second episode of the Senrai Maidens adventures, “Cold Pursuit”, follows an elite team that stands against threats to the world order across the globe. Special vehicles for Emily, Ling, and Usagi are already available in War Thunder as thematic packs! In addition, all vehicles from the Senrai Maidens packs come with their own crew voiceovers. These signature voices can be enabled at any time. For true collectors, we’ve prepared extra bonuses: by purchasing the three new packs — Emily, Ling, and Usagi — you’ll automatically receive the secret dakimakura “Usagi in a Bikini”, helping you better capture the spirit of this brave fighter. And if your collection includes all six Senrai Maidens packs, you’ll receive the “PMC Leader” dakimakura. Know the face of your enemy! DakimakurasTo keep morale high, new dakimakuras have been developed. You can get three of them for free by clicking the links below. Even in the most desperate moments, a quick glance at the Senrai Maidens will give you strength and confidence!   Get the “Emily” dakimakuraGet the “Ling” dakimakura Get the “Usagi” dakimakura New Senrai Maidens PacksGet ready for battles on a whole new level of immersion! Three new Senrai Maidens packs await, featuring meticulously recreated vehicles from the “Cold Pursuit” episode. Additionally, we’ve recorded unique crew lines for all Senrai Maidens tanks: both the new ones and those released previously!If you wish, you can enable or disable the special crew voiceovers at any time in the game settings.Senrai Maidens: Emily Reserved and somber, Emily of the elite Senrai Maidens squad commands her customized Challenger OES, a cold steel fortress on the battlefield. In her voice lies the stillness of a foggy morning; in her actions, flawless discipline and quiet inevitability. Where Emily takes position, silence falls. No one passes through her defense.Senrai Maidens: Emily PackThis pack includes:
  • Challenger 2 OES (SM) (Rank VII, Great Britain)
  • Premium account for 20 days
  • 2500 Golden Eagles
  • Unique camouflage: “Emily”. The “Emily” camouflage will be available in the vehicle’s customization menu.
  • Unique profile icon: “Emily”
  • Unique title: “Fan of Emily”
  • Unique decal: “Emily”
69.99Challenger 2 OES (SM) in the "Emily" camouflageSenrai Maidens: Ling Swift and precise, Ling of the Senrai Maidens leads her customized MBT2000 into battle with a perfect balance of power and agility. She strikes like lightning, never giving her enemies time to react. For Ling, speed is victory, and hesitation is defeat.Senrai Maidens: Ling PackThis pack includes:
  • MBT-2000 (SM) (Rank VII, China)
  • Premium account for 20 days
  • 2500 Golden Eagles
  • Unique camouflage: “Ling”. The “Ling” camouflage will be available in the vehicle’s customization menu.
  • Unique profile icon: “Ling”
  • Unique title: “Fan of Ling”
  • Unique decal: “Ling”
69.99MBT-2000 (SM) in the "Ling" camouflageSenrai Maidens: Usagi Brilliant and unstoppable, Usagi of the Senrai Maidens commands her customized Type 90 with a whirlwind of speed and fire. She laughs in the faces of her enemies, acting boldly, swiftly, and with genuine gusto. When Usagi enters the fray, the battlefield fills with energy, and every one of her shots rings out like a joyous challenge!Senrai Maidens: Usagi PackThis pack includes:
  • Type 90 (B) (SM) (Rank VII, Japan)
  • Premium account for 20 days
  • 2500 Golden Eagles
  • Unique camouflage: “Usagi”. The “Usagi” camouflage will be available in the vehicle’s customization menu.
  • Unique profile icon: “Usagi”
  • Unique title: “Fan of Usagi”
  • Unique decal: “Usagi”
69.99Type 90 (B) (SM) in the "Usagi" camouflagePurchase all three new packs and receive the  “Usagi in a bikini” unique dakimakura!True Senrai Maidens fans who have purchased all six packs will be introduced to the heroines’ enemy with the “PMC Leader” dakimakura.  
Please note! Senrai Maidens’ characters are not added to the game and appear in the images next to the vehicles solely for visual purposes. The unique vehicle camouflages in these packs are fictional and if the “Show content in the battle: Except fictional” option is enabled in the “Customization of Vehicles” settings, these will appear to other players as historical camouflages for similar vehicles, but with the characteristic exterior customization elements preserved.
Senrai Maidens is also in War Thunder Mobile!The Senrai Maidens squad joins the fight in War Thunder Mobile! Now you can purchase the Kate, Elsa, and Ling packs in WTM. Each pack contains a unique vehicle, a portrait, a title, a decal, and other bonuses! You can also lower the price of each pack by completing tasks in War Thunder Mobile from June 3rd (12:00 GMT) until June 10th (12:00 GMT) — or purchase all three at a huge discount!
A long requested Spitfire variant joins the game with the return of a rather legendary pilot!Spitfire Mk Vb Floatplane: A Premium Fighter / Hydroplane for Great Britain at Rank IIAt a glance:
  • Legendary fighter floatplane
  • Solid offensive armament
  • Decent flight performance
  • One very special pilot! Smashing!
 Vehicle HistoryThe genesis of the Spitfire can be traced long back to the Supermarine S.6 schnider trophy winning seaplane. But strangely, the concept of a floatplane version of the famous Supermarine fighter wasn’t floated until 1940, with the invasion of Norway making apparent that the luxury of airfields may not always be something the RAF could rely on. A Spitfire Mk I was first selected for this conversion, with some floats taken from an existing hydroplane, but was deemed unsuccessful and later reverted back to a conventional fighter.  It was only with the Mk V series that the concept became a real reality in 1942, as Japan had entered the war. Revived plans for this variant saw custom designed and built floats made, by the same designer that worked on the earlier Supermarine racing seaplanes, and a number of other modifications made to the airframe compared to the standard Mk V, like a four-bladed propellor, revised intake and large ventral fin. A total of 3 Mk Vb floatplanes were produced and shipped off to Egypt in 1943, where they were planned to be used against the Luftwaffe in the Mediterranean to disrupt the invasion of the Greek Islands. However, the islands fell before they could be put to use. Introducing the Spitfire Mk Vb Floatplane!Floatplanes are always a popular novelty in War Thunder. But what happens when you combine that concept with an iconic fighter? Let’s meet the Spitfire Mk Vb floatplane! During the Wings Over Water event, you’ll have the opportunity to obtain this brand new variant, that has two fixed floats underneath the fuselage. Among a number of other modifications made, such as a larger tail stabilizer and the inclusion of a four bladed propeller (normally found on later marks), this Spitfire lets you explore the seven seas, or any other body of water for that matter. Pilots already familiar with the Mk V family of Spitfires will already be acquainted with the performance of the Merlin 45 series engine. Whilst you will experience some performance loss compared to a regular “clean” Spitfire Vb, the Spitfire floatplane is among the best in terms of fighter performance for floatplane fighters. Beating out the A6M2-N and N1K1 in terms of raw speed, with over 500kph in top speed!That high top speed can be put to good use in Naval battles, where the Spitfire floatplane will be a speedy fighter to help you capture objective points swiftly, hopping from point to point as this Spitfire was originally intended to do in the Pacific and Mediterranean. This makes it a valuable asset for any British Naval roster too! The downside to the aircraft is its lack of any suspended ordinance. Unlike its Japanese floatplane fighter counterparts and much like the standard Mk V Spitfire, there is no bomb ordinance available of any kind. So this won’t be your best companion in ground battles other than a defensive fighter, but will excel in naval battles as well as be a fun aircraft for air battles. 
Fun Fact: The Spitfire’s genesis can be found in Supermarine’s previous Schnider trophy winning floatplane designs, such as the Supermarine S.5, S.6 and S.6B, all designed by R. J. Mitchell like the Spitfire itself. So you could say the Spitfire floatplane was the aircraft going “full circle” to its roots!You can expect the familiar arsenal of 2 x 20 mm Hispano Mk II cannons, coupled with 4 x 7.7 mm Browning machine guns. This is the staple for all Spitfires of this era and more or less in line with the other floatplane fighters too. But with your edge in top speed, the Spitfire generally shines through as the most capable floatplane fighter in game to date.  We also can’t forget to mention who’s behind the controls of this event reward aircraft too. Who would be brave enough to pilot this experimental prototype series of floatplane Spitfire? That’s right, none other than Nigel himself returns as the pilot for this plane! Tally Ho, splendid job good sir!You can obtain the Spitfire Vb Floatplane for your own collection during the Wings Over Water event! Bolster your naval lineups with this formidable island hopper or simply add a rare gem to your hanger! A must for both pilots and naval captains. Have fun folks!