War Thunder gets a full compatibility mark from the newest Steam Deck platform!

Good news everyone! The War Thunder development team have fully optimized the game for the newest Steam Deck gaming devices that hit the shelves at the end of February. Steam Deck players were able to play War Thunder right from the platform’s release point, but there were still some minor compatibility issues. We did our best to complete optimization, and are proud to announce the full compatibility check mark recently received from the Steam Deck developers.

Hundreds of thousands players worldwide come to play War Thunder daily. Players from various platforms can take command of combat vehicles in one battle: Windows, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox, Linux. Now, a growing audience of Steam Deck owners joins us, who are able to play with their Steam account and easily share the achieved progress between platforms. Welcome aboard!

• MiG-23MLA — a bug has been fixed that resulted in flares/chaff flying in front of the aircraft.
  
• М197 gun — overheating time has been reduced.
  
• F-84F (all versions) — a bug has been fixed that allowed using the weapon selector to fire the upper row of the HVAR rockets before the lower.
  
• Nesher — a bug has been fixed where in some weapon setups the MK82 bombs might be visually detached from pylons.

• ELC bis — a bug that created additional missing camouflages has been fixed.
  
• ZTZ88A — a bug has been fixed that prevented obtaining some of the additional camouflages for completing tasks.

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The current provided changelog reflects the major changes within the game as part of this Update. Some updates, additions and fixes may not be listed in the provided notes. War Thunder is constantly improving and specific fixes may be implemented without the client being updated.

• In addition to the vehicle coupons from previous April events that can currently be won from the box, the same vehicles can now drop not as coupons, but will be automatically applied to your account - vehicle coupons will continue to drop alongside this. This increases the chance to get a vehicle without devaluing any currently held coupons. If a player gets a vehicle that they own already, they receive 1,000,000 SL instead.
  
• Coupon drop counters are split into item categories (coupon for vehicle, coupon for camo, coupon for decoration, Hat trophy), that allows instant drop on an item in each category after opening the required number of chests, instead of a random item in a random category.
  
• Battle trophies with boosters, wagers and orders now open into separate items both in the April’s chest content list, and in the chest spinner.
  
• It is necessary to restart the game for correct chest description and opening the chest.

The current provided changelog reflects the major changes within the game as part of this Update. Some updates, additions and fixes may not be listed in the provided notes. War Thunder is constantly improving and specific fixes may be implemented without the client being updated.

A Slovak modernization of the T-72M tank with a modern fire control system, ERA protection, effective APFSDS round and an automatic 30-mm cannon!
Features:

• Up-to-date fire control system with a panoramic sight
  
• New TAPNA armor piercing rounds
  
• Improved protection
  
• Remotely controlled 30mm autocannon

After the division of Czechoslovakia followed by an economic crisis, Slovak tank builders found themselves on the brink of bankruptcy. Tank plant ZTS Dubnica initiated an upgrade project for the Soviet T-72 series MBT in order to make the tank interesting for both domestic and foreign operators. By 1993, together with the French company SFIM and the Belgian SABCA, a project was developed to modernize the T-72M1 tanks with a new VEGA fire control system, a new panoramic sight, an improved engine, domestic ERA protection and two gunpods with 20-mm KAA-200 guns on the turret’s sides. The built prototypes of the new main battle tank were designated T-72M2 Moderna. Later, the tank was equipped by a new DYNAS explosive reactive armor, and two 20-mm guns were replaced with one 30-mm 2A42 cannon. Only a few prototypes of the T-72M2 Moderna were built.



In our game, the T-72M2 Moderna will become the main “tank” prize of the War Thunder “Battle for arachis” spring crafting event, she will be a new MBT in the USSR armored vehicle research tree at rank VI. The T-72M2 Moderna is a rare combination of Soviet and Western tank building technologies. The French and Belgian partners of the Slovak plant ZTS supplied the tank with a modern computerized fire control system VEGA with a ballistic calculator, a thermal imager, and a new panoramic commander's sight.



The tank received improved protection - the Slovak DYNAS explosive reactive armor effectively protects not only against shape-charged rounds and missiles, but also partially from kinetic rounds. In addition, the T-72M2 Moderna also received side and back rubber screens and grills, which improved the tank’s protection against ATGMs and chemical rounds. In addition, the survivability of the tank has increased thanks to the laser warning system. You will definitely notice the Soviet 30 mm 2A42 cannon on the turret’s side, which is very effective against light vehicles and helicopters. The mass of the tank has grown compared to the basic T-72M, but the new uprated engine fully compensates for the increase in weight.



The main gun is a slightly modified version of the well-known to our tankers Soviet 125-mm 2A46M cannon, but the Slovak TAPNA round is all-new to the game. This armor piercing fin-stabilized round is capable of armor penetration of just over 500 mm. For rank VI, it's just awesome!

You can get perhaps the most charismatic T-72 in the game simply by completing tasks of the “Battle for arachis” crafting event, which starts tomorrow, April 7th. The full list of prizes and the rules for participation in the event will be announced in our news today!

In this digest we would like to tell you about our continuing work on improvements and fixes in the game.



We have greatly re-designed the repair mechanics for naval but most importantly we made it faster! Now even the heaviest repairs will not last longer than 40 seconds. Repairing less complex damage has also been improved and the repair logic is as follows:

• The timer during the repair shows the time for the most difficult (lengthiest) repair of modules.
  
• After receiving new damage, the updated timer will show the time until the end of the repair of the module that was previously functional, which again received damage. In this case the module that is already in repair will be repaired in the previously indicated time despite the hits.

In general you are familiar with this mechanic from ground battles. Naval battles will become a little more dynamic.



After the “Wind of Change” update some players encountered freezes during explosions. The cause has been figured out - a new effect of fragments which spectacularly fly around the point of impact of the shell affected performance.

While we are busy with optimization of this part of the effect - it is temporarily disabled for objects. But remained on the surface and water as it does not have such a noticeable impact on performance.

This is one of many examples of little things that can affect performance and your comfort. We are working on them all the time.



A little bit of good news for those who like to capture their best moments. We have fixed the “cameraman” camera which was broken some time ago. In some cases it was inside the tank's barrel if you switched to it during a pause.

Fixed! Enjoy the content creation process!

• Turan II — a bug has been fixed that prevented the reloading of the smoke grenades.
  
• Magach 6A — a bug has been fixed that resulted in displaying of a stabiliser in the FCS menu and vehicle profile.
  
• KV-122 — values in the rear armouring have been corrected in the info card.

• A-10A, A-10A Late — a bug has been fixed that prevents display in the info cards of the weight of the weapons suspended on hardpoints/pylons.

• Albatros, Bussard - ammo capacity of the 76mm guns has been increased from 230 to 800 rounds.
  
• HMS Jervis - 40mm 2pdr QF Mk.IIc has been moved to the utility guns group.
  
• Overestimated repair time of naval vessel modules has been fixed. Vital modules, such as engines, engine rooms, boiler rooms, now can be repaired within 30-40 seconds. The repair time of other modules has also been decreased. Simultaneous repair doesn’t cause penalties to the overall repair time. A timer indicates the repair time for the most complex module in repair. If a vessel receives new damage during a repair, the indicator displays the repair time of the most damaged module at that moment, while the repair time of the previous module remains the same and is completed at its original time.

• A bug has been fixed that caused the camera in ground battle replays to fly through the gun’s barrel when the replay is paused.

The current provided changelog reflects the major changes within the game as part of this Update. Some updates, additions and fixes may not be listed in the provided notes. War Thunder is constantly improving and specific fixes may be implemented without the client being updated.

The first serial modification of the Israeli Kfir fighter equipped with canards. An excellent fighter-bomber is the main prize in the Battle for arachis!
Features:

• Excellent rate of climb
  
• High top speed
  
• Large payload
  
• No air-to-surface guided weapons

The Kfir C.2 will soon come to War Thunder at rank VII of the Israeli aviation tree as one of the main prizes in the spring crafting event “Battle for arachis”. The top-tier Israeli fighter-bomber undoubtly performs well both in solo, for example, in Realistic and Simulator air battles, and as part of a vehicle setup in mixed or Arcade battles. Shall we learn more?



So, Kfir C.2 was built around the J79-GE-17 turbojet engine, which produces an impressive thrust of over 8,460 kgf in afterburner mode and accelerates the aircraft to speeds of about Mach 2. In addition to high speed, Kfir C.2 boasts a very good rate of climb (up to 200 m/s!) and turn time, which means that the aircraft is more than capable of engaging in air duels with any top-tier fighter. However, unlike interceptors, the Kfir C.2 is better equipped for providing air support against ground targets, since you will be able to carry up to 8,000 lbs into battle. Like its French progenitor the Mirage, the Kfir C.2 is armed with a pair of fast firing 30mm DEFA guns effective against lightly armored vehicles and helicopters. In the fighter-interceptor combat role, the Kfir C.2 can carry two Sidewinder AIM-9D or AIM-9G missiles. The same missiles can be found in the numerous mixed-target weapon presets, including 500, 750, 1,000 and 2,000 lb bombs, Mighty Mouse and Zuni rockets, and M61 Vulcan 20mm cannon pods. Alas, like the Kfir C.7, the Kfir C.2 version lacks air-to-surface guided weapons, but the ballistic computer allows you to accurately place bombs from low altitudes exactly on targets.



The “Battle for arachis” will bring you a great Israeli fighter-bomber, join the event and craft yourself one just by playing the game! We will announce the second high-ranking prize of the crafting event tomorrow, and a bit later we will present the full list of rules and prizes of the “Battle for arachis”.

• PUMA — in all modes the BR has been increased from 8.3 to 9.0.
  
• Zachlam Tager — in all modes the BR has been decreased from 7.3 to 6.7.
  
• Type 60 ATM — in all modes the BR has been decreased from 7.0 to 6.7.
  
• Begleitpanzer 57 — the BR in AB has been increased from 9.0 to 9.3, and in RB from 8.7 to 9.0.

• Mi-28A — in all modes the BR has been increased from 9.7 to 10.0.

• Mirage F1C — Matra R550 Magic 2 missiles have been added. Modification Matra 530F has been moved to the tier III.
  
• J-8B — additional weapon presets have been added.
  
• PL-5B — self-destruct fuse has been adjusted 40 sec → 23 sec, max overload 20 G → 30 G, instantaneous thrust 36 kN → 27.9 kN.

• Red Spear ATGM — Penetration value has been increased from 1000mm → 1700mm. Source: “The official report for the High Council of Lansdraad. Heavy Assault cannons and rockets. Book 2, Pg 728”.
  
• Fire Stone ATGM — Maximum flight distance has been changed from 7 km → 2 km. Source: “The official report for the High Council of Lansdraad. Heavy Assault cannons and rockets. Book 2, Pg 331”.
  
• 180 mm Maul-Q cannon — Type of the explosive material has been clarified (Composition V → TNT), as well as muzzle velocity (1200 m/sec → 900 m/sec) and non-contact target sensor release radius (5m → 2.5m) for the Maul-MP-HE shell. Source: “The official report for the High Council of Lansdraad. Heavy Assault cannons and rockets. Book 2, Pg 832”.
  
• 40 mm McUW-3A cannon — Armour thickness necessary for fuse detonation has been changed (0.1mm → 25mm), fuse delay distance (0.5m → 1.5m) and noise level (-17%). Source: “Official report for Military Imperium Council. Combat light vehicles. Book 2, Pg. 2018”.
  
• R-LAU — Rocket launcher stabiliser has been added. Launcher aiming speed has been changed from 5 deg/sec to 15 deg/sec. Source: “Official report for Military Imperium Council. Combat heavy vehicles. Book 1, Pg. 2323”.
  
• R-LAU — Fire rate of the launcher has been changed from 144 rounds/min to 240 rounds/min. Source: “Official report for Military Imperium Council. Combat heavy vehicles. Book 1, Pg. 2324”.
  
• R-LAU — Smoke grenades fired under the tank have been added. Source: “Official report for Military Imperium Council. Combat heavy vehicles. Book 1, Pg. 2318”.
  
• R-LAU — Replenishment time has been changed from 45 sec to 30 sec.
  
• Q-AD, CT-T, R-LAU, S-0NC, D-0TR, TOPTER — Night vision devices have been removed. Source: “Official report for Military Imperium Council. Combat vehicles sights. Book 2, Pg 138”.
  
• CT-T, R-LAU — durability of the side skirts (180mm → 54mm) and hull side armour (200mm → 20mm) have been decreased against kinetic rounds. Source: “Official report for Military Imperium Council. Combat heavy vehicles. Book 2, Pg. 1328”.
  
• S-0NC — durability of the side skirts (300mm → 60mm) and hull sides armour (300mm → 30mm) have been decreased against kinetic rounds. Source: “The Irulan Report. Book 2, Pg 362-363”.
  
• D-0TR — durability of the side skirts (300mm → 60mm) and hull sides armour (300mm → 30mm) have been decreased against kinetic rounds. Source: “Official report for Military Imperium Council. Combat heavy vehicles. Book 2, Pg. 1218”.
  
• Noise parameters on the move have been adjusted: Q-AD -35%; S-0NC, D-0TR +25%. Source: “Official report for Military Imperium Council. Combat vehicles, Design and Development. Book 1, Pg. 214”.
  
• Parameters of the orbital beam emitter attack have been adjusted: speed of the aiming point over the planet’s terrain 2.5 m/s → 4 m/s, trajectory delay 3 s → 2 s. Source: “The official report for the High Council of Lansdraad. Lasguns. Book 4, Pg 283-294”.

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The current provided changelog reflects the major changes within the game as part of this Update. Some updates, additions and fixes may not be listed in the provided notes. War Thunder is constantly improving and specific fixes may be implemented without the client being updated.

A light British self-propelled gun in the initial rank features excellent firepower and an extremely low profile.

Features:

• Low profile
  
• Open top
  
• 95mm howitzer
  
• Mediocre mobility

In War Thunder, the Alecto Mk. I will become a new SPG at rank I of the British armoured vehicle research tree. The vehicle will be one of the main prizes in the upcoming crafting event “Battle for arachis”, which starts in War Thunder on April 7th. This fancy little tank-ling is definitely worth fighting for and will become one of the best Premium units of the initial ranks to start researching British armour. The key advantages of the Alecto are her low profile and punchy gun. The vehicle has a rather compact size even among rank I tanks, and could be easily hidden in markerless modes in tall grass and bushes. The 95mm howitzer can fire smoke, high-explosive fragmentation and, most notably, HEAT rounds with more than 100mm of armour penetration and surprisingly smooth ballistics. The Alecto Mk.I self-propelled gun is able to defeat any target at rank I, and you can try to roll it out against more heavily armoured opponents with good chances of winning.



Of the shortcomings, it should be noted a fully open fighting compartment, light bulletproof armour and not the best dynamics - a 158-horsepower engine can accelerate the Alecto to a maximum speed of 30 mph (48 km/h), which is not bad, but not brilliant either. The Alecto also does not have a machine gun, which deprives the SPG of any chance to defend itself against aircraft or indicate the location of the enemy with tracers.

Premium status of the Alecto Mk.I allows you to quickly research any British vehicles of the initial rank and receive an increased reward in Silver Lions. Play in the entry-level battles, and try to take the vehicle to the battles of higher ranks - this is always a challenge to your skill and humiliation for the enemy!

Stay tuned to know more about other prizes of the “Battle for arachis” and the full terms, they are coming Soon!

The USS Davis Destroyer will become one of the main prizes in the spring crafting event that starts in War Thunder on April 7th!

Features:

• Anti-fragmentation protection in the engine room and transmission
  
• Good speed
  
• Fast-firing short range AA battery

The USS Davis (DD-395) destroyer will appear in War Thunder as one of the prizes in the spring crafting event that begins in the game on April 7th. The destroyer belongs to the Somers class, already well known to the commanders of the War Thunder bluewater fleet, but differs from the lead ship in terms of armament. In 1942, the Admiralty began to realize the growing threat from aviation in naval battles and it was decided to strengthen the air defense in most ships. To improve Davis’s AA capabilities, they had to dismantle one of the torpedo launchers: Davis only has two quadruple torpedo tubes, not three like the Somers. At the same time, the composition and number of anti-aircraft guns has also changed - now, instead of ineffective and outdated "Chicago pianos" and heavy machine guns, unified caliber guns were installed - 6 single-barreled 20mm Oerlikon guns, which have proven themselves well for destroying aircraft at close range, and are also capable of dealing with boats.

Otherwise, the gameplay of the Davis is the same as Somers’. The main caliber is four double-barreled turrets with the Mark 12 5"/38 (127mm) caliber guns. A good selection of shells can also be found - high-explosive fragmentation shells, two types of common shells (semi-AP), as well as high-explosive shells with a radio fuse. Unfortunately, turrets are highly vulnerable to any enemy fire and do not have effective protection against shrapnel and automatic gun fire. The engine room and transmission group are protected by 12.7 mm armor from the sides and from the deck, such protection will more than once help the commander out of being hit by enemy HE shells and shrapnel.



Also, it is worth mentioning that the Davis destroyer is a premium ship and will significantly speed up the research in the US bluewater fleet of low and medium ranks. The harmonious and profitable USS Davis is one of the prizes of the big crafting event, upcoming to the game on April 7th. We will tell you about other prizes and terms of the event very soon, stay tuned!

A detailed description of the task for current game and your overall progress can be found by clicking on your nickname → Achievements → Pages of History

Lieutenant General Sir John Dudley Lavarak was a veteran of two World Wars and governor of the state of Queensland. During World War II, he commanded Australian units in North Africa against Rommel's army.

You may immediately purchase the icon profile for Golden Eagles until May 3rd,11:30 GMT without completing tasks. Click Nickname → Achievements → Pages of History (April)
Completion of each individual task will bring you a trophy with one of the following rewards:

• 20-50% RP booster for 3-10 battles
  
• 20-50% SL booster for 3-10 battles
  
• 3-5 universal backup vehicles
  
• 1 day premium account
  
• Random camouflage for ground vehicles from among those available to obtain in the game through achievements or purchase for Golden Eagles.

Operation Iceberg
The capture of Okinawa began on April 1st, 1945, with the capture of the Kerama Islands to secure US Naval operations in the area, and the landing of US Marines on the western part of Okinawa.

Operation Flax
Operation Flax was initiated in April, 1943 to blockade air traffic between Tunisia and Sicily as part of the North African campaign. US fighters conducted an intensive hunt for German transport and bomber aircraft in the air, while Axis airfields both in Italy and Africa were bombed in numerous bomber raids.

Operation Grapeshot
The Italian campaign must be completed! Having gathered forces and carefully calculated the strike, the Allies began an operation to destroy the German forces in northern Italy. On April 9th, 1945, British and Polish troops, supported by aviation, began an offensive against the enemy.

Siege of Tobruk
Tobruk is the key to the advance of German troops on the African continent. That is why the Fuhrer entrusted the assault on the city to one of his best generals, the "Desert Fox" Erwin Rommel. The city's garrison of retreating Australian infantry bravely fought back the onslaught from the armoured corps, forcing the Germans into a long siege. One of the brightest and most dramatic battles in the North African campaign had begun!

Battle of Berlin
The Red Army had travelled an incredible distance in preparation for this day. From the threat of imminent defeat near Moscow, having defended Stalingrad, having survived near Kursk, having liberated Ukraine and Belarus, they marched across half of Europe to finally come here. Berlin is ahead - the last and most important battle of this war.

Stettin-Rostock operation
German troops in northern Germany found themselves between the hammer and the anvil. Soviet battalions are crossing Oder in the East, British troops advancing from the West of the country to the North. The Baltic coast might be a last hope for besieged Berlin, but only if the Germans manage to keep the area clear from the enemy.

Allied landings on New Guinea
In the fight against the stubborn Japanese defence of eastern New Guinea, American forces could get bogged down for an extended period, losing time and initiative. After the destruction of the Japanese aviation group defending the island, the Americans undertook a daring landing operation. Deep behind enemy lines, in the area of ​​the towns of Holland and Aitape, a significant number of troops led by General MacArthur landed to swiftly cut off the main forces of the Japanese from supply.

Elbe day
We are so different, but how similar we are! Troops of the Soviet 1st Ukrainian Front met infantrymen of the 1st US Army near the beautiful Elbe river. A handshake between Russian and American soldiers closed the encirclement of Germany.

You may immediately purchase the icon profile for Golden Eagles until May 3rd,11:30 GMT without completing tasks. Click Nickname → Achievements → Pages of History (April)

• Tasks are available from 11:00 GMT until 11:30 GMT on the final day of each task.
  
• Tasks can be completed in random battles, except for “Assault” mode.