Welcome to the 202nd War Thunder Steam Screenshot Competition!

Thanks for all of your submissions last week! For this theme, we’re shifting the spotlight to vehicles built for speed and precision. Light tanks, fighters, helicopters, and coastal craft all excel at striking quickly and staying mobile - so capture a screenshot that shows your agile machines at work! The three most popular and three selected by us will get 300 GE. See the winners down below!

Let’s begin the 202nd edition of our competition!

Create a stunning screenshot and submit it on the War Thunder Steam Community Hub with the tag #WTscreen202. You have time until the 19th of December 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 #WTscreen202 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 201st edition – Personalized Armor!

Winners selected via community votes:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3619941103
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3618604532
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3620043536

Winners selected by our judges:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3619464615
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3620070069
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3618795421

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

Wrap up warm and head over to the concert! The Santa troupe will be performing a set in a wide variety of genres, something for everyone! Decorate your vehicles with a decal of your favorite musician, hang up some lights, and make New Year’s battles even more festive!And, of course, it wouldn’t be complete without some excellent gifts! Four vehicles will be available to unlock, three of which are Rank VI-VII machines. That’s not all though, you’ll be able to win a huge number of prizes with the Festive Cupcake chest too!

When: From December 19th (11:00 GMT) until January 8th (11:00 GMT), complete tasks and get rewards!

Participate and get Rewards!VehiclesBy completing tasks in this event, you’ll be able to earn the following vehicles.MiG-25PDH-75MA Rank VII Event Vehicle for the USSRA Rank I Premium for ChinaThe MiG-25 series of aircraft set dozens of speed and altitude records, and the family is still considered among the fastest production fighters in all of history. The “PD” (interceptor-modified) variant will be the first aircraft in War Thunder capable of reaching speeds of approximately 3,000 km/h at high altitudes! The MiG-25 has no guns and relies purely on air-to-air missiles in combat. It’ll have two types of missiles with all-aspect IR seekers, the R-40TD for medium-range combat and the R-60M for short-range air combat plus the R-40RD with a SARH seeker.Curtiss Hawk fighters were not only in demand in the United States, but were also widely exported to its allies. A stellar example were the Chinese-built H-75M variants with fixed landing gear, which proved their worth against the Japanese Empire in the early stages of the war. In War Thunder, the Chinese H-75M is a rank I premium fighter with heavy and light machine guns, featuring decent speed and agility for its rank. IJN TosaCRV Block 2A Rank VI Event Vehicle for JapanA Rank VII Event Vehicle for Great BritainTosa-class battleships were conceived as the pinnacle of Japanese dreadnought development, armed with ten powerful 410 mm guns in five turrets, and featuring advanced sloped armor. However, their construction was interrupted by the Washington Naval Treaty of 1922. In War Thunder, Tosa will be a classic heavy battleship with outstanding firepower and solid armor protection. These advantages are complemented further by a wide array of secondary guns and powerful 610 mm torpedoes. Despite its impressive size, Tosa still maintains decent maneuverability, allowing this versatile leviathan to fill any role necessary!The wheeled Boxer CRV was supplied by the Rheinmetall Group under the LAND 400 rearmament program, and is currently the most modern vehicle of its class in service with the Australian Army. In War Thunder, this Boxer will make its way to the British ground forces tree. This fast infantry fighting vehicle is armed with a powerful 30 mm automatic cannon with versatile anti-air and anti-armor shells. It also comes equipped with SPIKE anti-tank guided missiles, which are capable of engaging both tanks and helicopters at significant ranges. Christmas Cosmetic RewardsDecorate your vehicles with Christmas themed decorations, decals, and get yourself a special profile icon too!“Christmas Disco Ball” decoration for ground vehicles“Christmas Pickup Truck” decoration for Bluewater ships“Metalhead Santa” profile iconDecals:“Winter Concert” decal collection Complete the Decal Collection!Activate all decal coupons on your account to get a special decal called “Legend of Rock”! “Legend of Rock” decal Learn more about collections on the War Thunder WikiVehicle CamouflagesAmong 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 pcs.)
• Random camouflage for a vehicle you own
• 1 day of Premium account

Marks of DistinctionThe event vehicles at ranks V-VII and the decals are given as coupons, while the premium rank I vehicle, profile icon, decorations and camouflages will be activated on your account as soon as you unlock them.All event rewards are issued for achieving a certain number of “Marks of Distinction” for each vehicle type in the corresponding mode.TasksTo earn one Mark of Distinction for each category, you’ll need to earn 40,000 mission points in random battles of rank III or higher (or from rank I while using event vehicles) in each corresponding game mode. There are also point multipliers based on the rank and mode you play as well, these specifics can be found in the task description. Each Mark of Distinction task is the same, and a new task will begin every two days at 11:00 GMT. If you missed a Mark of Distinction, you can purchase each one for Golden Eagles until January 12th. You can do this in the following menu: Nickname → Achievements → Winter Concert → Tasks for tankers/pilots/sailors. Take a bite of the Festive Cupcake!The Festive Cupcake is coming next week, we’ll tell you more about it soon!The Festive Cupcake will reward you with vehicles, camouflages, decals, decorations and profile icons from previous winter events. Useful consumables will also drop of course, including boosters, universal backups, wagers and orders. Some items will be available in coupon form for the first time, meaning you’ll be able to sell them on the Marketplace! The Festive Cupcake can be purchased for 60,000 Silver Lions.The Festive Cupcake silver box Detailed Terms

• The exact terms of each task can be found here: Nickname → Achievements → Winter Concert.
• To get a Mark of Distinction, you need to complete a task in the corresponding vehicle type in the corresponding game mode. For example, a Mark of Distinction for pilots can only be received by playing Air battles (AB/RB/SB).
• You can complete tasks in multiplayer battles in all game modes except for “Assault” and “\ Naval Battles”.
• You can complete tasks not only in vehicles of Rank III and above, but also in lower rank event vehicles. These are vehicles from large events such as winter and summer marathons, WWII chronicles, BP seasons and crafting marathons. In the stat cards of these vehicles you can find the name of the event in which they first became available.
• The Mark of Distinction is considered received if the achievement’s color is has turned gold. If you’ve completed the task and it hasn’t turned gold yet, join another battle and afterwards it should turn gold.
• Missed Marks of Distinction can be purchased for Golden Eagles in the Achievements window until January 12th 2026. Make sure you pick the right achievement category: either for tankers, pilots or sailors.
• Rewards received in the form of tradable coupons will be available for trading on the Market from January 12th 2026. The time from which the coupon can be traded can be viewed in the coupon description in game. The option of trading each coupon separately depends on the time of its receipt and doesn’t depend on the vehicle type.
• The “Upgrade for coupon” item is valid until 12:00 GMT on February 1st 2026. Until this time, you can use it or exchange it for War Bonds. Afterwards, it’ll disappear from your inventory.
• For 8 Marks of Distinction you’ll receive an untradable coupon for a vehicle. Upon activating it, you’ll instantly receive a corresponding vehicle. If you do not wish to use the vehicle and want to sell the coupon on the Market instead, you’ll need the “Upgrade for coupon” item.
• For 10 Marks of Distinction, you’ll receive an untradable “Upgrade for coupon” item. You can use it to make the vehicle coupon you received tradable and then sell it on the Market. The date on which a traded coupon becomes available for sale can be seen in its description in the game.
• PlayStation and Xbox players will be able to exchange decal coupons for similar ones. The exchange is available in the Workshop → Exchange items “Winter Concert” window.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Today we’re happy to unveil a new frontrunner for advanced SAM systems. Say hello to the HQ11, currently in service with the PLA!HQ11: A SAM System (SPAA) for China at Rank VIIIAt a glance:

• Radar and launcher on one vehicle
• 8 vertical launch missiles
• Phased array radar
• No optical sight
• Large size

 Vehicle HistoryThe HQ11 system was displayed in 2022 at the Zhuhai Air Show, a development of the earlier FM-3000 missile system shown in 2014, presented as a “universal terminal defense system”. The launcher is mounted on an eight-wheeled chassis and is equipped with 8 vertically launched surface-to-air missile containers. Each battery typically includes a command and control vehicle, four launch vehicles and an artillery vehicle. The HQ11 differs from previous anti-aircraft systems by its compact and significantly more autonomous design, the use of phased array radar, and significantly increased capabilities for simultaneously engaging multiple targets.Introducing the HQ11!This new top-of-the-line SAM system will soon be the pinnacle of the Chinese anti-aircraft line when it arrives to War Thunder in the Line of Contact major update. Let’s take a look at this anti-air titan in more detail!China’s new top anti-aircraft vehicle is only a single machine, rather than the Multi-Vehicle SAM System that has become commonplace for other nations. This large four-axle truck houses both the radar and targeting system and the containers for the vertically launched FM-3000 missiles. These missiles are certainly powerful, and feature a combined guidance system. This consists of inertial guidance during the initial and cruise phases of flight, radio command guidance based on radar data, and finally active radar homing during the final interception phase. These missiles are also fairly versatile in regards to altitude and range, with a maximum engagement range of 30 km and a minimum effective range of around 1 km.As this advanced system rather uniquely combines the radar and launcher on a single vehicle, you can potentially operate the missiles in third-person view (which is not too convenient, but still possible). Though, the primary and most useful interface will be via the typical radar control screen. The advanced phased array radar is responsible for detecting and tracking targets, scanning the surrounding space and updating all the relevant data with high frequency.Despite the single vehicle setup, the HQ11 is still huge and fragile. With its launchers and antenna deployed, it’s a very easy vehicle to spot, so what do you do? The ideal position for such a vehicle is behind some form of vertical cover, trees, rocks or buildings. The radar array will still be able to detect targets, and with the help of an ammo box you’ll be able to keep operating effectively and with relative safety. No target will be safe from the HQ11, be it at close range or long range, these advanced missiles will find their target!The HQ11 will be ready and waiting for you at rank VIII of the Chinese anti-aircraft line in the upcoming Line of Contact major update. Thanks for reading today’s blog, and we’ll see you soon for even more!Please note that the vehicle's characteristics may be changed before being added to the game.

The Line of Contact update brings the American F/A-18E Super Hornet carrier-based fighter-attack aircraft, one of the best aircraft in its class in the world, to the game!F/A-18E Super Hornet: A Jet Fighter/Naval Aircraft for the USA at Rank VIIIAt a glance:

• 11 weapon hardpoints!
• Radar with AESA
• Can carry up to 12 ARH missiles
• Guided bombs and missiles for ground attack

 Vehicle HistoryThe F/A-18E Super Hornet carrier-based fighter-attack aircraft was developed as a major upgrade of the F/A-18C Hornet. A full-scale development contract was signed in December 1992, and the prototype first flew in November 1995. Despite its external resemblance to its predecessor, it was essentially a new aircraft, with a 90% redesigned airframe, featuring an increased proportion of composite materials and new aerodynamic solutions. The increased dimensions allowed for a third more fuel capacity in the internal tanks and the addition of weapons hardpoints, while maintaining flight performance thanks to more powerful F414-GE-400 engines and an improved control system.To save time and money during the initial development phase, nearly 90% of the new aircraft’s avionics were borrowed from the F/A-18C. However, with the start of serial deliveries in November 1999, a program of consistent upgrades began. Block I, which began in 2001, installed new open-architecture onboard computers, an improved electronic warfare suite, modern displays, and the Joint Helmet-Mounted Sighting System (JHMCS). The next and most significant step was the Block II upgrade program, which began in 2005. Its key element was the installation of a new Raytheon AN/APG-79 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, the first units of which were delivered to the aircraft in 2007. This upgrade, along with modernization of the entire avionics suite and cockpit, dramatically increased the Super Hornet’s combat capabilities, turning it into one of the most technologically advanced combat aircraft in the modern era.Introducing the F/A-18E Super Hornet!Today we’re taking a look at one of the main stars of the Line of Contact major update! Meet the magnificent F/A-18E Super Hornet, the US Navy’s most modern and advanced carrier-based fighter-attack aircraft. Let’s take a look at this jet aircraft, which is sure to sting enemy opponents!

Developer Note: We would like to draw attention to the fact that the F/A-18E Super Hornet and other jets for USA, USSR, China and Sweden that are coming in Line of Contact means there are four vehicles at rank VIII vertically for these nations, which is something we said we would not do. This will only be temporary as we would like to confirm that in early 2026 we’ll be introducing rank IX for aircraft, which aims to solve this problem by moving some rank VIII aircraft to rank IX along with some economic changes. However, until then, you can still use aircraft at rank VII to effectively research the new top-tier jets released in the Line of Contact major update. Stay tuned for more news coming in the next few months!

Despite having a one-letter name difference from its predecessor, the F/A-18C, the new Super Hornet is in many ways a completely new aircraft. Let’s take a look at the key differences and characteristics. First off, the Super Hornet has a new AN/APG-79 active phased array radar, providing you with real-time target information. The wing area has been increased, and the number of weapon hardpoints has increased to 11. When loaded for beyond-visual-range combat, the Super Hornet can now carry up to 12 AIM-120B or C-5 ARH missiles, plus an external fuel tank under the fuselage and a pair of AIM-9L or M Sidewinders on the wingtips!The F/A-18E Super Hornet retains (and improves!) the exceptional anti-ground capabilities of its predecessor. The aircraft’s arsenal now includes a new ATFLIR targeting pod with a thermal imager, and the variety of ground-attack weapons remains the same, but the payload has increased. In addition to the 20 mm cannon and conventional bombs and rockets, Super Hornet players will have the choice of a vast arsenal of guided weapons, from the APKWS II air-to-ground missiles, advanced AGM-65E and F Mavericks, Paveway II, Paveway III and JDAM guided bombs, as well as long-range JDAM-ER and LJDAM laser-guided bombs, which in addition to inertial guidance with GPS corrections, and Walleye II bombs with a television seeker. Basically, there’s something for everyone!In addition to weapons, you’ll also be able to utilize enhanced visibility capabilities, active and passive defense, including a convenient helmet-mounted display and target cueing system for air combat, an advanced informative RWR, and a large supply of flare/chaff.Along with the increased payload and number of weapon hardpoints, and despite the larger wing and extensive use of lightweight composite materials, there was a need for increased thrust on the aircraft. The Super Hornet was given a pair of new F414-GE-400 engines with an afterburning power of approximately 9,470 kgf, making the aircraft’s speed and maneuverability performance comparable to earlier models in the series. While the Hornet family can’t match the best interceptors in speed, its speed and most importantly, maneuverability are more than sufficient for air combat and anti-missile maneuvers!The epic Super Hornet, surrounded by a vast arsenal of available weapons, is waiting for you in the hangars of the upcoming Line of Contact major update. We’re finalizing preparations for the release and look forward to seeing you playing it!Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.

The Sultan of Oman celebrates Armed Forces Day on December 11th. Oman is a long-standing ally of the United Kingdom and the United States, having hosted coalition troops in 1991 and 2001. The Omani Armed Forces have over 42,000 soldiers and are armed with modern equipment, including the Challenger 2 main battle tank, Piranha armored fighting vehicle, and Centauro tank destroyer. The Centauro RGO is available for purchase with a 30% discount for 6,734 Golden Eagles! 

When: From December 11th (11:00 GMT) until December 15th (11:00 GMT).Where: Italy > Army > Premium vehicles.

 

• This vehicle will stay available to purchase after this promotion ends.

About this light tank

• The Centauro RGO (rank VII) is an export variant of the Centauro B1 MGS, produced specifically for the Omani Armed Forces. Its increased weight is offset by a more powerful engine, allowing you to quickly take advantage of map positions. Its 120 mm cannon reloads quickly and fires excellent APFSDS rounds. A thermal imager helps you locate targets, and an LWS will let you know when an enemy is lasing you.

Today we’ll be taking a look at the NASAMS surface-to-air missile system, a joint development between Norway and the United States, coming to Sweden and the USA in the Line of Contact major update! NASAMS 3:  A SAM for the USA and Sweden at Rank VIIIAt a glance:

• IR seeker and ARH seeker missiles for all combat ranges
• Compact SAM
• Good mobility
• No protection

 Vehicle HistoryDevelopment of the NASAMS air defense missile system began in the 1980s by Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace in collaboration with American company Raytheon Missiles & Defense. The project’s primary goal was to replace the aging Improved Hawk systems in the Norwegian Armed Forces.The key principle in the development of NASAMS was to standardize and the use of existing, proven components to reduce costs and accelerate development. The AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missile with an active radar homing head was used as the primary weapon. A towed six-container launcher was developed for its ground launch. The detection and guidance system was a modernized AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel three-dimensional radar.Testing of the system with actual missile launches was successfully completed in June 1993. By late 1994 and early 1995, the system had achieved initial operational capability and began entering service with the Norwegian Air Force, but its full operational capability was not completed until 1998. In 2019, the modernized NASAMS 3 was developed, capable of using AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II IR-guided missiles and extended-range AMRAAM-ER missiles.Introducing the NASAMS 3!The renowned NASAMS medium-range air defense system is coming to War Thunder as a Multi-Vehicle SAM System for two nations, the USA and Sweden. Let’s get acquainted with this new vehicle, coming in the Line of Contact major update! Like all Multi-Vehicle SAM systems, the NASAMS consists of three vehicles: a Target Acquisition And Designation System (TADS) and two self-propelled launchers (SPLS). The launcher system features six containers mounted on a three-axle truck chassis and can fire three types of missiles: the AIM-120 with an active radar homing head, the AMRAAM-ER with extended range, and the all-aspect AIM 9-X Sidewinder Block II with an infrared seeker and excellent maneuverability. This means you’ll be able to provide cover for the team at both medium and short ranges and at high altitudes as well!The Target Acquisition And Designation System (TADS), which is slightly unusual for Multi-Vehicle SAM systems, has a different chassis. It’s built on a military jeep platform, and even with quite a sizable Sentinel radar, it’s still relatively compact. The vehicle is easier to conceal in low terrain or foliage, which is crucial for the survivability of the entire system.The NASAMS is coming to two nations, the USA and Sweden, where it will be a top-tier rank VIII air defense system. Two missile types allow for complete airspace control without any blind spots, while the system’s excellent mobility allows for deployment in unexpected locations and quick repositioning if needed. Look out for this vehicle coming in the Line of Contact major update, and we’ll catch you in the next blog! Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.

On December 10th, 1938 the Hudson bomber, developed by Lockheed, made its maiden flight. It demonstrated its versatility in service with Great Britain, Canada, and the United States, patrolling maritime borders, transporting cargo, participating in reconnaissance operations, and fought enemies with bombs and torpedoes. Almost 3,000 examples of this aircraft were produced. The Hudson Mk V is temporarily available for purchase for 700 Golden Eagles!

When: From December 10th (11:00 GMT) until December 15th (11:00 GMT).Where: Great Britain > Aviation > Premium vehicles.

 About this aircraft

• The Hudson Mk V can carry four 250 lb and six 100 lb bombs, plus eight AP Mk I rockets with up to 100 mm armor penetration. This aircraft is not just dropping bombs, it’s also fairly fast with effective frontal and defensive armament, totaling five 7.7 mm machine guns. Surprise your opponents both on the ground and in the air with this rare bird!

Today, we’ll be introducing you to the new generation of Eurofighter aircraft to crown the German, British and Italian aircraft trees. Meet the Typhoon AESA series! EF-2000 (AESA), Typhoon (AESA) and F-2000A (AESA): Jet Fighters for Germany, Great Britain and Italy at Rank VIIIAt a glance:

• New CAPTOR-E AESA radars!
• Wide field of view for tracking targets
• Very fast scan and track refresh rates
• Exceptional situational awareness
• 8 AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles!

 Vehicle HistoryEarly on in the 1990s, before the Eurofighter had even taken to the skies, collaborative efforts between European nations were already developing what we would now know as an Active Electronic radar or solid state radar. While the ECR-90 (CAPTOR-M in production) would be the radar to see the Eurofighter into service with the consortium nations, work in the background to develop its replacement was ongoing. Initially the CAESAR (Captor Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar) radar, produced by the Euroradar consortium of nations (Germany, Great Britain, Spain and Italy), would serve as the foundation for CAPTOR-E, the next generation of radar sets for the Eurofighter. Through its testing and development, CAESAR would mature and be developed into the next generation of AESA radars for the Eurofighter: the ECRS series. The European Common Radar System (ECRS) was developed by Leonardo (ECRS Mk 0 & Mk 2) and Hensoldt/Indra (ECRS Mk 1), with integration being carried out by BAE Systems and Airbus Germany on aircraft platforms. Operationally, Qatar and Kuwait are already using the ECRS Mk 0 on their Eurofighters. Now the main Eurofighter operator nations are beginning to integrate their chosen versions of the ECRS onto production aircraft, with examples from Spain and Britain having already flown on production examples of the Eurofighter. Germany is also carrying out ongoing integration of the ECRS Mk 1 and Italy has agreed the acquisition of the ECRS Mk 2 for its Eurofighters after developing that version with the UK. It is expected all four nations will have operational service examples in the next few years and into the 2030s.  Introducing the AESA Eurofighters!The Eurofighter series doesn’t need much of an introduction to most pilots, but today, we promise something CAPTORvating indeed! The new AESA CAPTOR-E radar series, or European Common Radar System (ECRS) as it is also known, is a next generation radar system that provides some of the best coverage and performance in game to date. Coming in the Line of Contact major update, Germany, Great Britain and Italy will each receive an example of this new development for a very potent top combat aircraft. Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect to find on the Eurofighter AESAs when they come in the Line of Contact major update! In game, the examples of the Eurofighter Typhoon you can already find excel at BVR combat. Their excellent flight performance and long range AIM-120Cs, coupled with their high countermeasure count makes for an exceptional standoff platform for long range aerial engagements. The AESA equipped Eurofighters take this to the next level. The ECRS offers a significant upgrade in both field of view and scan rates. Being an electronically scanned radar, the refresh rate of targets is lightning fast compared to most mechanical scan radars, providing significantly better tracking updates to directional changes.Unlike some other “fixed plate” AESA radars, the ECRS can also make use of its repositioner to achieve an average of 50% larger scan area volume when looking at existing mechanical sets. On the German Eurofighter equipped with the ECRS Mk 1, this provides a field of view of ±90°, while the Mk.2 on British and Italian aircraft extends this to ±100°. As a result, you’ll benefit from much better airspace awareness and the ability to track targets that would normally fall outside of the gimbal zone! The German EF-2000 AESA will also come with a PIRATE FLIR/IRST, allowing for IR locking for the first time on this example like the British and Italian versions have. A much welcomed addition no doubt! The upgrades however don’t stop there. All Eurofighters in game will feature a double AMRAAM pylon on stations 2 and 12. Meaning the maximum AIM-120 capacity is now 8 on these aircraft. An excellent loadout to put that new radar to good use with. While this aircraft’s improvements are focused on the air side of things, you can still expect to find the familiar complement of guided air-to-ground ordnance in the form of Brimstones, Paveway, LJDAM and more for an all round excellent multi-role platform. The Eurofighters also feature an impressive countermeasure and defensive suite, providing all-around coverage, excellent situational awareness, and a robust package of defenses against incoming threats. The new Eurofighter AESAs will be joining the game in the Line of Contact major update, with Germany, Great Britain and Italy all welcoming an example to their respective trees. We hope you enjoy them! Until next time, stay tuned for more! Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.

Today we’re checking out the M10 Booker, a light vehicle with a 105 mm gun, designed primary as a support vehicle for infantry.M10 Booker: A Light Tank for the USA at Rank VIIAt a glance:

• 105 mm gun with M900 APFSDS rounds
• Thermal imager and laser rangefinder
• Good speed
• Decent protection for its class

 Vehicle HistoryIn the 2010’s, the US Army wanted to design a new vehicle that would act as direct fire support for infantry units. In 2015 the US Army started a new program called Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF), with two designs being submitted: BAE Systems designed a vehicle based on the M8 AMG, and General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) the Griffin II. Both companies were awarded contracts to build prototypes.Both prototypes were shown in December 2020 and February 2021, but BAE Systems was rejected due to not following the requirements. GDLS’s Griffin II was accepted in June 2022 and a contract for 96 vehicles was ready, with the US Army planning to purchase up to 504 of them. In 2023, the Griffin II was officially designated the M10 Booker and the first batch of 26 were delivered in February 2024.However, in May 2025 the US Army cancelled the M10 Booker, despite receiving some vehicles. The decision was due to its excessive 42 ton weight which was seen as too much for bridges and C-17 transport aircraft. As of November 2025, it is currently unclear what will happen to the 26 vehicles that have already been delivered.Introducing the M10 Booker!Meet the M10 Booker, a new US light tank coming to War Thunder in the next major update! This tank was developed for the U.S. Army and features a light chassis, great top speed and a 105 mm gun. Let’s dive into the details of this “Chibi Abrams”!Despite having a strong start to its life, the M10 Booker fell out of favor with the U.S. Army and was canceled earlier this year, despite the army receiving 26 units. It features the XM35 105 mm gun, which is familiar to the American ground forces tree through the XM8 light tank. The M10 Booker lacks an autoloader, but in addition to the HEAT and excellent stock M833 APFSDS round, the available ammunition includes the M900 APFSDS shell with over 500 mm of penetration! In combat the Booker will be able to penetrate even the strongest MBTs in the usual weak areas, such as the lower plate, breech and turret ring. The M10 Booker’s FCS includes a handy panoramic sight, a laser rangefinder and a thermal imager.Interesting: The M10 “Booker” is named after Robert D. Booker who was KIA in Tunisia during the Second World War and Stevon Booker who was killed during the 2003 invasion of Iraq.Moving onto the chassis now, which is tracked with the engine and transmission mounted at the front. Despite its considerable weight for a light vehicle (42 tons!), the M10 Booker is still quite agile, with a maximum forward speed of 72 km/h and an excellent reverse speed of just over 40 km/h. And for a light tank, the M10 Booker’s armor protection is not bad, frontally it can withstand hits from many autocannons, and its sides can withstand heavy machine gun fire. However, as you would expect, the M10 Booker cannot withstand shots from enemy MBTs, any penetrating hit will likely cause significant damage to modules and crew. Hits into the turret have a high chance of detonating the main ammunition rack as well, so make sure you’re careful when it comes to pushing targets — the armor is indeed strong for a light tank, but not strong enough to shrug off tank cannons.That’s it for this one! The M10 Booker will be an excellent light tank for the higher ranks, relying on good firepower and mobility. Whether it’s reconnaissance, sniping, or second-line support, this mini-tank excels in any role, be it team play or solo. Look out for this new addition in the US ground forces tree at rank VII with the release of the Line of Contact major update. Until next time! Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.

Today, we’re taking a look at the British Army’s Ajax, featuring a 40 mm cannon, great mobility, excellent ammo options and a lethal fire control system!Ajax: A Light Tank for Great Britain at Rank VIIAt a glance:

• 40 mm CTC cannon that can fire telescoped ammunition
• 70 km/h max speed forward, 35 km/h backwards
• Thermal imager and laser rangefinder
• No ATGMs
• Light armor

 Vehicle HistoryIn the 1990s, the UK was looking to replace their CVR(T) family of vehicles. These were from the 70’s and certainly showed their age, so the army looked for a more advanced modular platform that could fill a variety of roles to replace them with. Through the Future Rapid Effect System (FRES) program, General Dynamics UK (GDUK) competed against BAE System’s CV90, with GDUK’s ASCOD 2 winning the competition. A contract was awarded in March 2010 for ASCOD 2, which had been a development from an Austrian and Spanish design (ASCOD is an acronym for “Austrian Spanish Cooperation Development”).During initial development, the designated name for the design was “Scout SV” until it was renamed to Ajax. There are six vehicles that fill a variety of roles under this name, each on the same platform. In September 2014, the UK Government put in an order for 245 turreted Ajax vehicles. The vehicle was due to enter service in 2017, but due to a series of challenges, including noise and vibration problems that caused hearing issues to crew members in 2020, trials were paused, causing delays. However, according to the UK Government, the complications faced by the Ajax platform have now been solved.The production of these 245 turreted Ajax vehicles continues in Merthyr Tydfil and Oakdale in Wales. As of April 2025, 100 Ajax variants have been delivered to the British Army and more are expected to continue to be delivered over time up until 2028-29.Introducing Ajax!Meet the British Army’s turreted Ajax, featuring a fast-firing cannon, a great top speed and excellent ammo and electronic devices, coming in the Line of Contact major update! Built in Wales, UK, an order for 245 turreted Ajax vehicles is still being carried out by General Dynamics UK to form the backbone of the British Army’s future armored units. Let’s take a look at what this vehicle can offer!The Ajax family was designed to replace the outdated CVR(T) vehicles and be the British Army’s advanced vehicle platform of the future. The platform in general, in which there are six, all feature either excellent firepower or systems to have a 24/7 electronic overview of the battlefield and to support troops in a variety of roles. The turreted Ajax that is coming to War Thunder features a 40 mm CTC cannon which can fire cased telescoped ammunition. This ammunition is special in that the projectile is stored within the cartridge case itself, providing excellent characteristics over conventional rounds. The main ammo of choice against armored vehicles is the APFSDS rounds, capable of penetrating enemy tanks from the side without much issue, even at an angle. There’s also two HE rounds, both impact and remote fuze, and another specifically for taking out aircraft, known as the kinetic energy burst round (AHEAD). All in all, thanks to Ajax’s variety of ammunition choices for many combat scenarios and a 200 RPM rate of fire for the 40 mm gun, this vehicle is a deadly force to be reckoned with!Interesting: The name “Ajax” refers to the turret Ajax, but is also the umbrella term for six of the vehicles in total. They are all based on the same platform and each have different roles: the turreted “Ajax” with a cannon as a fighting vehicle , “Ares” for carrying troops on the battlefield, “Athena” as a command vehicle, “Argus” as an engineering equipment vehicle, “Atlas” as a recovery vehicle and “Apollo” as a repair & tow vehicle.In terms of electronic devices, Ajax’s three-man crew has access to many important systems for engaging targets at all ranges. This includes a laser rangefinder, thermal imager and panoramic sight, meaning you’ll be able to hone in on enemy targets at all distances and in any weather scenario.In real life, Ajax is meant for the reconnaissance role, where vehicles are typically quite light. However, it still weighs a ton (literally and figuratively)! Coming in at a hefty 40 t or so, Ajax is one of the heavier vehicles in this class in the world, making it medium weight instead of light. For comparison, the EBRC Jaguar weighs 25 tons and the Bradley is about 30 tons. Having said this, the MTU engine has 816 HP and can accelerate Ajax up to 70 km/h forward and 35 km/h in reverse. This means you’ll be able to reach advantageous positions relatively quickly, scout enemies and take them out from behind. You’re also backed up with smoke grenades on the front of the turret, allowing you to get out of bad situations if needed. Just don’t smoke your teammates!As one might expect, Ajax’s armor is relatively thin. It’s enough to protect against smaller explosions and heavy machine guns, but anything bigger will pierce right through and take out the crew inside. Keep this in mind and lay low as with all lighter vehicles! If you’ve tried the new EBRC Jaguar, Ajax will perform very similarly in terms of firepower as they have the same gun, so you’ll be able to use that experience to your advantage when playing with this new British vehicle!That’s it for this one! The British Army’s new Ajax will be arriving at the end of the light tank line for Britain in the Line of Contact major update. Providing excellent firepower and mobility, this one should be a lot of fun to play. See you soon for more dev blogs! Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.

Hey again! We’re back for the final set of monthly historical decals for the year, one for each nation. Incidentally we have some slightly rarer makings this time around, we were quite taken with the exasperated shark of (Tauch-)PzAbt. C. We thought “FOR SALE” would be fun too, this one was painted on a landing craft, and while we primarily want to include markings that were placed on playable vehicles we have in the game, we thought this one would have some fun applications, thanks for submitting it on the forum! We check the suggestions regularly, so make sure to keep posting decals there!

The following decals will be available from December 8th (11:00 GMT) until January 12th (09:00 GMT).All tasks can be completed using vehicles that are rank III or higher.

“FOR SALE” Inscription, USA(Tauch-)PzAbt. C Emblem, GermanyScore 20000 Damage while using American VesselsFinish in position 1-5 five times while driving German Tanks
“FOR SALE” Inscription“FOR SALE” inscription, U.S. Navy. As the story goes, in early 1945 two sailors aboard LSM-51 named John Kann and Joe Sherrill were sent over the side to scrape and paint the hull, after losing favor with the ship's officer Warren Treece. While over the side of the hull, the two hatched a plan to defy their punishment by playing a joke, by painting a big “For Sale” sign on the hull. After completing their artwork, several days later the ship’s captain was hailed by the TG Commander, who asked "how much do you want for it?" In a calmer moment after the confusion, Captain James Potts rowed out in a dinghy and saw the sign. He flew into a rage, swearing to punish the person responsible, thankfully no one on board revealed it was Joe and John. In Joe’s retelling of the story 50 years later, he claims to have painted the sign in red zinc-chromate primer, though photos show that the sign matches the color of the glossy white hull number, suggesting this detail was misremembered. The inscription was painted large across the port side of the ship.

(Tauch-)PzAbt. C EmblemThe emblem of Tauch-Panzer-Abteilung C, Panzer-Regiment 28, 18. Panzer-Division ("Submersible" Tank Battalion C, 28th Panzer Regiment, 18th Panzer Division), Wehrmacht. Much like Battalion B (which also used a sea creature for its emblem), this battalion was composed of “Tauchpanzers” or “diving tanks.” These were modified Panzer III and IV models that were capable of driving along the seafloor. They were modified for Operation Sea Lion, the plan to invade Great Britain which never reached reality. The emblem of Battalion C was a rather exasperated-looking shark, appearing slightly pained and less menacing as many German armor markings. The design varied slightly, with some sharks being simple line drawings while others had color. Positioning varied as well, but most sharks were painted on the hull side of the Pz.III and IV models in use with the battalion, usually below the front of the turret with the shark facing forward.
"Storsjöodjuret" Emblem, Första divisionen, F 4 Frösön3rd Armored Battalion Emblem, "King Kong", ChinaPersonal Marking of Alexander Kilaberidze, 65th GIAP, USSRDestroy 30 Ground or Water targets while flying Swedish aircraftPlay 20 battles while using Chinese Tanks with a minimum of 60% Battle ActivityFinish in position 1-3 three times while using USSR Aircraft
"Storsjöodjuret" Emblem, Första divisionen, F 4 FrösönThe emblem of Första divisionen, F 4 Frösön (1st Division of the Jämtland Wing), Swedish Air Force. During 1944, the 1st division swapped out their previous penguin emblem for a new one, depicting “Storsjöodjuret” (The Great Lakes Monster). Similar to the more widely known Loch Ness Monster, the folklore creature is said to inhabit lake Storsjön in Jämtland. It was first recorded in 1635, in a story where a runemaster sealed the creature into the depths of the lake, though its origin story has been adapted several times since this initial telling. Much like Nessie, visitors to the lake still claim to have spotted the creature, though evidence is predictably dubious. The marking of Storsjöodjuret coiled around a red bomb was most commonly positioned on the B-17A light bombers of the division, painted on both sides under the front of the cockpit before the engine.

3rd Armored Battalion Emblem, "King Kong"The emblem of the 3rd Regiment of the Armored Brigade, ROCA. The emblem of the regiment is a stylized rendition of King Kong. The original film was exported to China after its initial domestic release and became quite popular culturally. King Kong as an icon is powerful and resilient, making it quite a fitting motif for an armored force. The emblem was used most commonly as a patch, but was placed on several armored vehicles of the regiment, notably their Stuarts and M8 Scotts. The emblem was regularly positioned on the front plate, on the upper hull for Stuarts and the lower hull for Scotts.

Personal Marking of Alexander Kilaberidze, 65th GIAPThe personal marking of Alexander Nikolaevich Kilaberidze, 65th GIAP (65th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment), Soviet Air Force. Alexander joined the Air Force in 1941, but would advance to Guards Major of the 65th by 1944, before being lost in an air collision on October 10th, 1944. He was credited with at least 11 aerial victories, 10 of which were Fw 190s. The origin of the marking itself is unclear. Kilaberidze was from Georgia, and so his monster may be a depiction of the folklore creature Gveleshapi (გველეშაპი), often visually represented as a cross between a snake and a dragon. In original stories, the creature is more of a force of nature rather than an evil beast to be slain, which would make it a promising candidate for the origin, and a fitting marking. It may also be a depiction of the dragon from the story of St. George as they share visual similarities. However, as this creature is traditionally more evil, it may be a less likely choice for a personal marking. It was painted prominently behind the cockpit on Alexander’s Yak-9.

3rd Reconnaissance Unit Emblem, Japan102ª Squadriglia Emblem, ItalyDefeat 40 players using Japanese Light TanksDefeat 50 players using Italian Aircraft
3rd Reconnaissance Unit EmblemThe emblem of the 3rd Reconnaissance Unit, JGSDF. The unit was created in 1951, and was restructured and rebased numerous times throughout its history. The core duty of the unit through the majority of its service was to support the wider 3rd Division by collecting and relaying intelligence. It operated until 2023, when it was disbanded along with the 3rd Tank Battalion, merging together into the new 3rd Reconnaissance Combat Battalion. In the early 2000s until disbandment, this emblem was used on some of the unit's vehicles. The black panther was chosen for its ability to move swiftly and stealthily through tough terrain, with the three claw marks representing the 3rd unit. It was placed on the turret sides of the unit’s Type 87 RCVs.

102ª Squadriglia EmblemThe emblem of 102ª Squadriglia, X Gruppo Autonomo Caccia “Baleari” (102nd Squadron, 10th Autonomous Fighter Group “Balearic”) Regia Aeronautica. The group operated under the 10th “Balearic” Fighter Group during the Spanish Civil War. It was based at Palma de Mallorca with its primary duty being the defense of the Balearic Islands. The emblem of the squadron was a cartoon-style bulldog, and despite being reminiscent of bulldog characters from actual cartoons, the emblem predates any of these examples, meaning it was likely a fully original emblem. It was painted on both sides of the CR.32 biplanes of the squadron, towards the end of the fuselage, with the bulldog facing forward on the left side and backward on the right side.

161 Squadron Emblem, IsraelER 2/33 Savoie "Cocotte" Emblem, France27th Armoured Brigade Emblem, BritainDefeat 20 Ground or Water targets while flying Israeli HelicoptersPlay 20 battles while using French Aircraft with a minimum of 60% Battle ActivityEarn 15000 score using British Ground Vehicles161 Southern Cobra Squadron Emblem (1987)The emblem of 161 “Southern Cobra” Squadron, IAF. In 1975, Israel were given a batch of AH-1G helicopters for testing, but as they lacked advanced armament they were sent back to the USA to be upgraded to the AH-1S standard for greater anti-armor ability. The squadron was formed in 1980 along with 160 Squadron, both equipped with 15 MD 500 and 3 upgraded AH-1S helicopters that were sent back from the USA. They would later receive the AH-1F, which was credited with destroying several tanks in the Lebanon War, and finally the AH-1E in 1987. The last cobras in operation with Israel were retired in 2013, primarily due to budget restraints and the prominence of the more powerful AH-64. Their cobra marking was not universally applied, but appeared most regularly on their later AH-1E helicopters, positioned on the middle of the tail.ER 2/33 Savoie "Cocotte" EmblemThe emblem of Escadron de Reconnaissance 2/33 Savoie (2nd Reconnaissance Squadron of the 33rd Wing 'Savoy'), French Air Force. The squadron was formed over 100 years ago in 1913, and would be renamed and restructured numerous times, but its emblem would remain relatively unchanged throughout the century. It depicts a “Cocotte”, which in this context refers to an origami chicken. Initially the design had a beak painted, and the eye would change between facing forward and facing backward across different iterations, as if keeping a look out for danger. This more modern version could be found on the Mirage III and Mirage F1 jets of the squadron, positioned in the middle of the tail. Though some alternate placements also exist, occasionally being painted in front of the air intakes on the Mirage III for special liveries, and in front of the cockpit on the squadron’s RF-84F Thunderflash aircraft in the 1960s. 27th Armoured Brigade EmblemThe emblem of the 27th Armoured Brigade, British Army. The brigade was formed on November 26th 1940, and became a key part of the Normandy Landings. Shermans of the Staffordshire Yeomanry and the 13th/18th Hussars under the brigade landed on the beaches, and would take part in the Battle for Caen and Operation Goodwood. The brigade was disbanded shortly after this operation, and its regiments were transferred to other formations within the army. The brigade's emblem is a seahorse on a shield, which initially may seem an unusual choice. It served as a link to the cavalry units that many of its members originated from, and as the tanks arrived from the water, the motif of a seahorse was practically a perfect fit. The emblem was often placed on the sides of the lower glacis plate and the edge of the rear plate, though there was some variation between vehicles and vehicle types.


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.Well, that’s the last set of decals for 2025! It’s really flown by hasn’t it? We hope you’ve enjoyed collecting these this past year, we’ll be back in January for more. If we don’t see you beforehand, enjoy the holidays in whichever way you like to celebrate, collect some interesting decals and we’ll see you soon!

Welcome to the 201st War Thunder Steam Screenshot Competition!

We loved getting to see all of the screenshots that you shared with us last week! This week, showcase your custom creations! Additional camouflages can be found on Warthunder Live and in the Marketplace. Historical recreations and fiction are welcome! The three most popular and three selected by us will get 300 GE. See the winners down below!

Let’s begin the 201st edition of our competition!

Create a stunning screenshot and submit it on the War Thunder Steam Community Hub with the tag #WTscreen201. You have time until the 12th of December 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 vehicle with a custom skin, decals, or decorators.
  
• You must add the #WTscreen201 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 200th edition – Legends of War!

Winners selected via community votes:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3614415334
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3616821287
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3616197998

Winners selected by our judges:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3614684702
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3614598045
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3617357382

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

Hey everyone! Today, we’re going through the details regarding War Thunder’s infantry mode test and revealing some details about how the new game mode will work.APPLY FOR THE INFANTRY CBT!How do I get into Closed Beta Testing?Submit your participation request through the link above to register your interest. We’ll go through the invitations and if you are picked we’ll send you an invitation to the email that’s linked to your account. The closed beta test (CBT) will be held in several stages, with invitations sent out for each. All participants in any CBT stage will automatically gain access to all subsequent stages.How does Closed Beta Testing work?CBT battles will take place in the “Events and Tournaments” section from the hangar on a specially created, detailed location in two game modes. These gamemodes are Arcade and Realistic: Arcade features markers for soldiers and vehicles with mixed lineups, while Realistic has no markers and nation vs nation setups, as well as different respawn rules. In Arcade mode, teams can have mixed lineups, while in Realistic mode equipment and vehicles depend on the selected nation. All weapons and vehicles in the CBT will be modern. At the start of the closed beta, participants will have access to two playable nations and presets containing small arms, engineers and special weapons, as well as combat vehicles from two countries, the USA and the USSR/Russia. Infantry from other playable nations will gradually be added to the game over time. We’re planning to conduct testing in several stages, with bug fixes and new content added between each stage. The first closed beta session for War Thunder infantry is planned to begin with the release of the December 2025 major update.Welcome to Granitograd!Granitograd is a new location for infantry, ground vehicles and aircraft set in Eastern Europe, featuring signs and inscriptions in the Interslavic language. Battles during the closed beta testing phase will take place in “Domination” mode, with soldiers and vehicles from two teams battling for control over three points within the location: a motor pool building, a school, and a shopping mall. Granitograd features various passageways and countless opportunities for cover. Infantry units will be able to operate within buildings on multiple levels and climb onto rooftops, while armored vehicles can carve new routes through fences and debris with cannon fire or ramming.Weapons and AttachmentsThe infantry mode in the CBT will feature preset vehicle and soldier squads, with each side equipped with US and Russian military equipment. Infantry squads will be armed with a variety of small arms, including the M4A1, M16A4, M7, AK-74, AK-12, and ASM Val assault rifles, M249 Para and RPK-74M light machine guns, M110A1 SDMR and SVD-M designated marksman rifles, and MAC 11 and PP-19 Bizon submachine guns, all modified with optical or red dot sights, underbarrel grenade launchers and laser sights, tactical grips, and bipods. Before battle, you can also equip each squad’s soldiers with special weapons and gear from a set of presets, containing engineering charges, hand grenades, grenade launchers, MANPADS, reconnaissance drones, FPV cameras, and additional first aid kits.During the CBT, infantry will be supported by M1 Abrams and T-72B tanks, M3A3 Bradley and the BMP-3 IFVs, with AH-64A and Mi-24V helicopters available in Realistic Battles. In Arcade Battles, after achieving a certain number of kills, players can initiate a time-limited air battle using helicopters with unguided and guided weapons. Vehicles in infantry battles will be controlled in first-person mode, from the commander’s camera, driver’s camera, or gunner’s sight. Vehicles will not have arcade engine power boosts, and flight models and vehicle mobility match the settings of War Thunder’s Realistic Battle mode.Take positions!When in the shoes of infantry, players will remain in the role of a single soldier, but with full tactical control over the entire squad. Squad members automatically follow the commander and assist in all combat situations. If needed, each soldier can be quickly assigned to key positions with the press of a button. Just a few clicks allow a sniper to secure a point and deploy cover for their squad, while an assault soldier can deploy defenses and control possible attack vectors on a captured point. This approach makes commanding each soldier easy and convenient, without distracting you from the battle itself.The main objective in the Domination mode is to capture and hold control buildings with multiple floors. Clear each floor, seek cover and organize your defenses. Tanks and infantry fighting vehicles can also capture some control areas, but they’re quite vulnerable in urban, close-quarters combat. Their primary role is to support their allies and neutralize enemy vehicles. Each control building contains ammunition and explosive resupply crates for both the defenders and attackers.Which platforms is the Closed Beta Test (CBT) taking place?At the launch of the CBT, PC players on Windows, Linux and Mac, as well as PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles will be able to participate. Since Infantry Mode is still in development, some functionality will be limited during the CBT. Specifically, Ultra-Low graphics settings will not be available at the start of the CBT, nor will ray tracing modes be available for consoles.There’s so much exciting stuff ahead! We invite you to be the first to test War Thunder’s infantry mode. Your opinions and experience will help us to make infantry battles as engaging as possible, so let’s get going!

A brand new series of combat vehicles based on the T-72 family of tanks with 30 mm cannons and anti-tank missiles!BMPT “Terminator”: An ATGM Carrier for the USSR at Rank VIIBMPT-72 “Terminator-2”: A Premium ATGM Carrier for the USSR at Rank VIIAt a glance:

• Combat module with 2x30 mm cannons and ATGMs
• T-72 tank chassis
• LWS and laser rangefinder
• Thermal imager

 Pre-order – BMPT-72 “Terminator-2” PackTo get to the Gaijin Store through Steam, go to the in-game hangar > Shop > Online Store.69.99This pack includes:

• BMPT-72 “Terminator-2” (Rank VII, USSR)
• Premium accout for 20 days
• 2500 Golden Eagles
• Pre-order bonus: unique title “Judgement Day”
• Pre-order bonus: unique decal "BMPT-72"

Vehicle HistoryWork on the Terminator support vehicle began in the mid-1980s, based on the T-72A tank. State trials of the BMPT were successfully completed in 2006, and the vehicle was approved for mass production. Initial plans would see the vehicle adopted into service with the Russian army by 2010, but these plans did not materialize. Serial production only began in 2011, with the first batch of vehicles intended for the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan.Later in 2013, a new version of the vehicle was unveiled, named the BMPT-72 "Terminator-2." This modification was a conversion of in-service T-72 tanks, which were adapted into fire support vehicles. The key differences from the original version included a higher degree of commonality with the base T-72 tank, a reduction of the crew from five to three people, and reinforced armor on the anti-tank guided missile launchers. This modernization was aimed at increasing survivability while simultaneously reducing operational costs.Both variants of the vehicle were shown off at several international arms exhibitions, garnering a lot of attention due to their futuristic appearance. In 2017, the BMPT underwent testing in real combat conditions during the conflict in Syria. Later that same year, the first production vehicles began to enter service with the Russian army.Introducing the Terminators!The famous Terminator series of support vehicles is coming to the game in the Line of Contact major update! We’re happy to present the researchable 2017 model BMPT Terminator, and are opening pre-orders for the premium BMPT-72 Terminator 2! Today we’ll go through the key features of these imposing vehicles and the differences between both models, let’s go!The idea of a specialized vehicle for supporting tanks was prompted by their high vulnerability in modern urban combat conditions. The BMPT — Boyevaya Mashina Podderzhki Tankov (Tank Support Combat Vehicle) — is not only intended to fight infantry, but can also engage enemy armored vehicles itself using ATGMs. The combat module of the Terminator series includes a pair of 30 mm automatic cannons, equipped with high-explosive fragmentation shells for aircraft and APDS for more armored targets. The primary weapon of the Terminators, however, will be the Ataka ATGM. Two types of warhead are available: tandem charge and HE.Both Terminators are built on a tank chassis, the T-90 for the regular Terminator and the T-72 for the Terminator 2, meaning these support vehicles will be relatively well protected. The vehicle hulls have combined armor, featuring steel and composite armor elements in combination with ERA blocks and slat armor. Both variants also have a dozer blade, which can be used to dig a trench in order to hide the hull, only exposing the combat module to the enemy — perfect for defensive positions around cap points.Both vehicles have smoke grenade launchers, laser rangefinders and laser warning systems, along with night vision devices and thermal imagers (only for the gunner on the BMPT, and for the gunner and commander on the BMPT-72). The primary difference between the two is the crew count, 5 on the BMPT and only 3 on the BMPT-72. The regular BMPT features the AGS automatic grenade launcher with 30 mm fragmentation grenades as part of its combat module, while the BMPT-72 receives some additional armor on the ATGM launch containers to protect against machine guns and shrapnel, as well as additional slat armor on the sides and rear protecting the engine compartment area. Both vehicles are ultimately quite similar, just with small unique advantages in different areas.Pre-orders for the BMPT-72 Terminator 2 are open from today! Pick it up before the update lands for some extra bonuses, along with a hefty supply of Golden Eagles and Premium Time! Thanks for reading today's blog, we hope you’re as excited as we are for the Terminators!Please note that these vehicles are still in development and certain characteristics may change before release.

Introducing the Line of Contact major update and a new War Thunder game mode, featuring infantry!Testing Infantry!War Thunder is launching closed beta testing for a new, standalone game mode, which brings player-controlled infantry squads onto the battlefield alongside ground vehicles and helicopters!In this mode, you’ll experience large-scale battles featuring soldiers in various combat roles with modern weapons, gear and equipment. Tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, drones and attack helicopters provide ground and air support for the team.If you’re a firearm enthusiast, your time has come! Dive into diverse weapon customization and outfit your squad with a wide array of equipment, including personal body armor, grenades, MANPADS, grenade launchers, and much more! Choose from countless weapon attachments, such as scopes and underbarrel grenade launchers to customize your weapons to your playstyle.Get ready to experience War Thunder battles from the brand new perspective of an infantry soldier through tactical building clearouts, tense sniper duels, and fierce shootouts on city streets!APPLY FOR THE INFANTRY CBT!We’ll be sharing more details about the Infantry CBT soon in a dev blog, so be sure to keep an eye out for that!

Hey everyone, today we’ll be taking a look at some new features in the hangar and the updated Winter Poland location, both coming to the game in the next major update!New Features in the HangarWeapons Displayed on Stands!We’re pleased to introduce a new look for the hangar of each vehicle type. You’ll now be able to take a closer look at the available weaponry for each ground vehicle and aircraft when viewing them from the hangar. Using weapon stands, the weapons are displayed to the front or side of the vehicle, allowing you to visually see them, like at an arms expo! You can also hover your cursor over each one to bring up the weapon’s stat card for shells, missiles, rockets and bombs. In ground vehicle hangars, there are demonstration samples of armor plates penetrated by various types of projectiles. Here you can clearly see the difference between penetration by an armor-piercing projectile and by an anti-tank missile or a high-explosive shell! In ground vehicle hangars, there are demonstration samples of armor plates penetrated by various types of projectiles. Here you can clearly see the difference between penetration by an armor-piercing projectile and by an anti-tank missile or a high-explosive shell (to note, at the time of writing this news, the stands are still under development). There is also a button in the hangar where you can enable or disable the display of shells and weaponry if you prefer them to not be shown.Adding Some Life to Vehicles!When you click on a vehicle in your hangar, they will now perform some cool animations! For planes, the canopy and other mechanizations such as the flaps, air brake and rudder move, the engines turn on and propellers start spinning (for helicopters too). For ground vehicles, the turret and roof-mounted machine guns rotate, while for ships the gun mounts and deck torpedo tubes rotate.Detailed Hangar for Featured Premium Vehicles!Featured premium and event vehicles can now be viewed inside of a detailed and fully equipped hangar! Just click on the vehicle or on the hangar itself, and you’ll be transported to it. Inside, you’ll see mechanics working on the vehicle! Toggle Festive Hangars On or Off!Starting with the next major update, you’ll be able to customize your hangar’s appearance if you ever want to change things up (or don’t like the festive hangars!). Looking for some Christmas spirit in the middle of the hot summer? No problem, activate the festive New Year’s hangar. Is your hangar too bright and you’re in the mood for something more atmospheric? Turn on the night-time Halloween hangar! This also means you can turn off the New Year or Halloween hangars if you don’t like them *sad hangar noises*.Updated Poland (Winter)Following the visual improvements to the classic summer version of the beloved Poland ground battles map, it’s time to refresh the winter one. Welcome to the new winter Poland! Our artists did a great job to visually transform the location, all buildings, structures, environmental elements, and vegetation have been improved. Everything on this map is now more detailed and vibrant, with countless small details added. Like always with these map updates, the original layout and navigation of the map has stayed near enough the same, meaning you won’t have any surprises when driving around.In addition to the central urban section of the map, the natural environment surrounding it has been updated too. All of the wintry vegetation and snowdrifts have been entirely redesigned, and the dirt roads have been improved too. The ice lake looks much more realistic now too, with snowdrifts, deep cracks and air pockets under the surface.That’s all for this blog! Soon you’ll be able to check out your weapons in detail, see the new premium hangar for featured vehicles, and take in the frosty air of the newly updated winter Poland with the release of the next major update, coming your way soon!

A gun boat with radar, an automatic 57 mm cannon, and a six-barreled 30 mm AK-630 autocannon: meet a hunter and a ruthless anti-aircraft platform!AK-225: An Event Vehicle Gun Boat for the USSR at Rank VAt a glance

• Air target tracking radar
• 30 mm gatling cannon
• Automatic 57 mm cannon with AP and HE-F shells
• Decent speed

 Vehicle HistoryThe AK-225 Gunboat was constructed at the Primorsky Shipyard in Leningrad, and entered service on January 7th, 1969. It was a representative of Project 205PE, which was developed as a patrol export version for countries with friendly relations with the USSR. As part of the 41st Missile Boat Brigade of the Black Sea Fleet, this vessel underwent numerous trials, during which the need to strengthen its armament became apparent. On an experimental basis, a new 57 mm cannon was installed on the bow of the AK-225 to increase the firepower.After additional trials however, the results showed that the additional 57 mm mount was still insufficient for the tasks the vessel was intended to perform. By the time these trials concluded, the general concept of gunboats in the Soviet fleet had changed, and the naval doctrine had shifted towards other classes of ships. As a result, despite some technical successes, Project 205PE was not approved for mass production. On June 24th, 1991, the AK-225 was removed from the ship register of the navy, and was scrapped two years later in 1993.Introducing the AK-225!The main reward in the Sea Defender naval event is an experimental Soviet patrol boat! The AK-225 features two different automatic cannons and an air target tracking radar, more than capable of proving itself in coastal combat and supporting the larger fleet with its anti-air abilities! This event started today, so let’s get acquainted with this new boat.Unlike the other Project 205PE patrol ships, the AK-225 is equipped with an experimental 57 mm AK-175 cannon, which has greatly expanded the range of targets it can engage. This cannon can fire two types of shells – high-explosive fragmentation and armor-piercing. This gun can comfortably deal with small vessels and is even capable of detonating the magazines on destroyers with its AP shells. However, the barrel will overheat if fired for too long, so avoid long bursts of fire.The auxiliary armament of the AK-225 is the famous six-barreled AK-630 cannon, with an incredible fire rate of 5000 rounds per minute! It can quite literally cut through boats at close range like a saw. This cannon is especially useful for taking down air threats at low altitudes, with aiming aided by the tracking radar. The speed of this vessel is fairly effective too, it can reach a max speed of 36 knots (up to 67 km/h), so the AK-225 will be very suitable for swiftly capturing points.In War Thunder, the AK-225 joins the game as a Rank V event vehicle. Its powerful small-caliber armament will make it an excellent choice for coastal combat, though it is still more than capable of supporting larger vessels with its powerful anti-aircraft weaponry. It can comfortably support the team by capturing and defending points, and can even detonate destroyers with its AP belt!You can get the AK-225 yourself completely free by taking part in the Sea Defender naval event that started today. More details on this event in the link below!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 Sea Defender event:

The Type 03 Chū-SAM will soon become Japan’s new top-tier anti-air system in War Thunder’s next major update!Type 03 Chū-SAM: A SAM System (SPAA) for Japan at Rank VIIIAt a glance

• Radar with an AESA system
• Vertical-launch missiles
• 12 powerful missiles
• Large size

 Vehicle HistoryIn 2005, the JGSDF began to equip themselves with the new Type 03 medium-range SAM system, also known as the Chū-SAM. The development of this system was carried out by a consortium led by Mitsubishi Electric with the goal of replacing the outdated American I-Hawk systems. The trials of the new system began in 2001, and after passing successfully it was officially adopted into service in 2003. By 2010, the JGSDF had ten batteries equipped with the Chū-SAM family of systems, and it is still in operational service today.Introducing the Type 03 Chū-SAM!A new Multi-Vehicle SAM system is ready to roll into War Thunder! The Type 03 Chū-SAM will be arriving in the next major update at the top of Japan's anti-aircraft line, featuring a powerful radar and vertical launch missiles!Like most high-end SAM systems, the Type 03 Chū-SAM will function in game as two separate vehicles — a self-propelled launcher (SPL) and a detection and target designation station (DTDS). You’ll have access to two launch vehicles, each with six missile containers (so you’ll have 12 missiles in total). These launchers are equipped with Type 03 missiles; these are large, vertically launched missiles. They are each equipped with an inertial guidance system with radio correction in the initial launch phase, and an active radar seeker to help guide the missile during the final phase of its trajectory.The DTDS vehicle is responsible for detecting, locking, and tracking targets. Like the launch vehicles, it’s built on the chassis of an 8x8 four-axle truck, with effectively no meaningful armor protection. In its combat position it deploys an AESA system, which provides a high scan frequency and transmits accurate real-time data on aerial targets to the system’s commander.The Type 03 Chū-SAM is a highly efficient asset for the team, scanning the air at long ranges and high altitudes. However, its short range combat ability is notably poor, and will have to rely on other friendly SPAA systems to counter enemy aircraft above the battlefield. Like all similar systems the Type 03 Chū-SAM is huge and fragile, meaning that you’ll have to position carefully, and away from predictable areas.The Type 03 Chū-SAM is ready to take its place as the new top anti-air system for Japan in the next and final War Thunder update of 2025. Along with it are a huge number of additions, improvements and fixes, so keep checking in to see what else is in store!Please note that the vehicle's characteristics may be changed before being added to the game.

Aircraft

• F-5E (Germany) — a bug that caused the radar to be unable to update the data on targets tracked in TWS mode has been fixed.

 Naval Vessels

• A bug that caused the automatic gunners in Arcade Battles to fire at distances that exceeded the capabilities of the guns has been fixed.
• A bug that caused the guns in Arcade Battles to stop automatically counting the lead has been fixed. (Report).

 Interface

• A bug that caused the current scan area limits of the radar to display incorrectly when zooming in on aircraft in 3rd person view has been fixed.

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.

This unique mixed-propulsion fighter will be making its way to the US air tree as a premium in the next major update for War Thunder!FR-1 Fireball: A Premium Fighter for the USA at Rank IIIAt a glance:

• Both a jet and propeller engine!
• Decent maneuverability
• High speed and strong climb rate
• Only four 12.7 mm guns

 Vehicle HistoryAfter jet-powered aircraft began to be tested in Europe, the U.S. Navy wanted to explore the possibility of operating jet-powered aircraft from carriers. However, flight data from the British jet-powered Gloster E28/39 Whittle showed that jet aircraft would be incapable of carrier operations, a presumption that was further confirmed by tests of the Bell P-59 in 1942, which demonstrated that the long take-off runs required would make jet aircraft unfit for carriers. Due to this, the Navy investigated alternatives, as they correctly identified that jet aircraft would be the future of aviation and did not want to be left out of the running.After much deliberation, the Navy eventually decided to pursue the production of a composite fighter, with both a propeller and jet engine. In late 1942 Admiral John McCain presented the proposal to nine aircraft manufacturers, one of which was Ryan whose design was accepted. After a long period of wind tunnel tests, modifications, and test flights, the FR-1 Fireball showed promise, but alongside many issues. The core performance of the aircraft was impressive, with the mixed propulsion system mitigating the forecasted issues of operating jet aircraft from carriers. However, the construction was fragile and resulted in many accidents. Several Fireballs crashed or broke apart in the air as a result of the fairly weak wing structure which would falter when compressed.The development and testing cycle of the Fireball was undeniably hasty, with aircraft being supplied to operational squadrons before testing had been completed, as the Navy were desperate for an aircraft that could reliably intercept the Japanese Ohka. The first Fireballs arrived at naval squadrons in March 1945, but never ended up seeing combat. In the following months pilots trained with the Fireball onboard carriers, but several more accidents occurred, and by the time pilots were qualified to operate the aircraft, the Japanese surrendered. The remaining Fireball orders were canceled on VJ Day. The Fireballs still in service continued to operate until 1947, but following even more crashes and accidents, an inspection of the remaining Fireballs uncovered almost universal structural failures on each aircraft. This caused all Fireballs to be withdrawn by August 1947.Introducing the FR-1 Fireball!While the Fireball did not have the best reputation in real life, it’s set to become a very interesting and effective addition to War Thunder in the next major update as a premium! There’s a lot of aspects to cover, so let’s get into it!So, firstly let’s talk about the engines. The Fireball is the first aircraft in the game with mixed-propulsion, powered by both a propeller and jet engine at the same time. In the front is a Wright Cyclone R-1820-72W with 1350 HP, and towards the rear is the General Electric J31 with 1600 lb of thrust (the same engine used in the P-59). These two engines don’t push the Fireball to jet-like speeds, but they do ensure that speed in general remains high and consistent. The Fireball has a max speed of around 650 km/h, and can maintain a speed of around 600 km/h in a straight line at average engagement altitudes, which is fairly impressive. It also features a good climb rate and solid agility overall. Maneuverability is hard to describe concretely as it is dependent on many factors, but the Fireball will feel reminiscent of mid-war Bf 109s or early Griffon Spitfires, not the best, but still very competitive.Interesting: There are many reports of Fireball pilots playing a joke on friendly aircraft. As the Fireball can turn off its prop engine with the jet engine still running, many pilots enjoyed pulling up next to and keeping pace with friendly aircraft with the front engine visibly off. This often left many pilots awestruck, believing that their own aircraft had to be faulty, before the Fireball would reengage the front engine and zoom off like a rocket.Moving on from flight performance, armament is a little less impressive, very similar to the early Bearcat. The Fireball is equipped with four 12.7 mm M2 .50 caliber guns with 300 rounds per gun. The wide intakes required for the jet engine along the wing drastically limited internal space, so the armament of the Fireball is relatively light. Though, as it is still equipped with more powerful late-war ammunition, it will still be able to bring down fighters with an accurate burst.You’ll also be able to equip a small but respectable amount of suspended ordnance. Due to the low internal fuel reserves, you can equip two external fuel tanks, along with up to four HVAR rockets, a pair of 500 or 1000 lb bombs, or a pair of 1000 lb mines. While the loadout is limited, the great speed and maneuverability of the Fireball makes it a solid pick for combined battles as well, where it can accurately deliver its payload, and then effectively fulfill fighter duties as well.Fast, unique, but lightly armed, this curious naval fighter will soon have its chance to burn as bright as its namesake (hopefully only in the metaphorical sense) in the next major update! It’ll be arriving to the US air tree as a mid-rank premium, classic fun. Thank you for reading today’s blog, we still have more to come, so check back in soon for more!Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.