The Esports III Trophy is now complete, with camouflages created by the authors on WT.Live! This new wave of additions includes 20 camouflages for different vehicles: 9 aircraft and 11 ground vehicles. We’re continuing to showcase mid-level vehicles with unique creations by our artists.




Like the previous Esports trophy, the new trophy can be obtained by simply playing regular War Thunder battles. In the future, it’ll also be possible to obtain by participating in Esports events in War Thunder tournaments with an increased chance! PlayStation and Xbox players can purchase the trophy in the Item Shop for Golden Eagles.

Read more on our Wiki.

To open it, you’ll need to purchase a key on the Market (income is shared with the authors of the camouflages). You can either activate the coupon on your account, or trade it on the Market to get Gaijin Coins (GJN). A trophy can be sold as well!

To unlock the trophy, you'll need an “Esport” key that can be purchased on the Market for GJN.


Read more about the Market and Gaijin Coins on our Wiki.



Air Superiority tournament sponsored by Thrustmaster, this weekend, from 13:40 GMT, Twitch Drops will once again be accompanying the final stages of the last Major Esport event of the year! Here’s a sneak preview of the BO7 matches on Saturday 9th November.



Watch the tournament and get Twitch Drops also on the official English, German, French and Russian War Thunder Esport channels!





In this pack:

• "Flanking Snail" decal
  
• "Slick flanker" title
  
• 300 Golden Eagles

Let’s have a look at the Mirage 2000D RMV, an upgraded version of the strike variant of the Mirage family of aircraft and one of its most modern variants currently in service.

At a glance:

• Top speed of Mach 2.
  
• Access to advanced missiles.
  
• Large caliber laser bombs.
  
• HMD

Vehicle History
[expand type=details]
In an effort to modernize the Mirage 2000 and extend its service life, Dassault launched the ‘Rénovation Mi-Vie’ (RMV) program in 2015. As part of the program, the Mirage 2000D RMV received updated avionics and was enabled to carry GBU-48 and GBU-50 guided bombs. Although demonstrator had been built by and exhibited at the 2017 Paris Air Show, the conversion of the first operational aircraft to the RMV standard started in 2019, the first aircraft was delivered 2021 and test flights were conducted shortly afterwards by the Air Force. The Mirage 2000D RMV subsequently entered service in 2022 with 55 aircraft being upgraded to this standard.  
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The Mirage 2000D RMV is on its way to the top rank of the French aviation tree in the Firebirds major update, becoming the most advanced strike aircraft available. Building on the airframe of the Mirage 2000D, the RMV modification brings with it key upgrades to the Mirage’s strike capabilities, further increasing its effectiveness against ground targets. Let’s take a closer look!




Representing a direct upgrade of the Mirage 2000D-R1, the RMV modification inherits much of its key characteristics from its predecessor. As such, the aircraft maintains superb flight characteristics, thanks to its delta wing design as well as the powerful SNECMA ATAR M53 afterburning turbofan engine. This combination in particular enables the Mirage 2000 to retain excellent maneuverability, representing a signature feature of the Mirage family of aircraft.

Unlike the R1 variant which precedes it, the Mirage 2000D RMV is specially outfitted to accommodate the installation of the more advanced GBU-48, GBU-49 & GBU-50 guided bombs, which most prominently feature GPS guidance in addition to the traditional laser guidance system.




Apart from these new weapon options, the Mirage 2000D RMV also retains some more familiar faces in its arsenal, such as conventional 250 kg bombs, MATRA rockets or the BGL-400 and BGL-1000 laser guided bombs. Lastly, the aircraft can also be equipped with the new CC-422 gunpod which houses a single 30 mm DEFA 553 cannon. All in all, these upgrades further increase the Mirage’s lethality against ground targets and thus make it a must-have in any top tier Ground Battle lineup. 



That’s it for this one! The Mirage 2000D RMV is on final approach and is expected to arrive in the Firebirds major update. In the meantime, make sure to keep a close watch on the news for other dev blogs that we’ve got planned!

Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.

On November 10th, 1888, outstanding Soviet aircraft designer Andrei Nikolaevich Tupolev was born. He designed over 100 types of aircraft, including the Tu-2 frontline bomber, which was widely used in WWII, the Tu-4 strategic bomber, and the first Soviet passenger jet aircraft, the Tu-104.

This Soviet premium bomber is available for 3,416 Golden Eagles!

When: From today until November 11th (07:00 GMT).
Where: USSR > Aviation > Premium vehicles.



About this aircraft

• The Tu-1 is fast but fragile. It features two 23 mm forward-firing cannons as well as two 45 mm cannons. Additionally it has bombs and torpedoes, including three powerful 1,000 kg bombs capable of destroying any ground target. While working on the Tu-2, Tupolev wanted to make a truly multi-purpose aircraft capable of escort, interception and attack, which is how the Tu-1 project began. Work on it was completed only after the war, and the prototype did not go into production, since it was inferior in characteristics to jet aircraft.

Today we’ll be taking a look at the Renown-class Battlecruiser, HMS Repulse, coming to Great Britain’s Bluewater fleet research tree!

At a glance:

• 381 mm (15 inch) guns!
  
• Good mobility but mediocre protection.
  
• Weak air defense capability.

Vehicle History
[expand type=details]
The development of a new type of ship for the Royal Navy, which was to become an improved version of the Revenge class, began in late 1914. Despite the high pace of work, both ordered ships did not make it in time for the famous Battle of Jutland. The lead ship of the class, HMS Renown, was enlisted into the fleet on September 20th 1916, while the second ship, HMS Repulse, entered service a little earlier in August. The only battle that HMS Repulse participated in during the First World War was the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight. From the first months of the Second World War, HMS Repulse was actively used in combat, participating in the Norwegian Campaign. In 1941, she went to Indochina, where she joined up with the battleship HMS Prince of Wales. In December 1941 both ships were sunk by Japanese aircraft in the South China Sea. The place where the ships sank has been discovered and well studied, and the remains of the ships are recognized as a military burial site.
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The Battlecruiser HMS Repulse will be one of the best ships in Great Britain’s Bluewater fleet tree when it arrives at rank VI in the Firebirds major update. HMS Repulse is the second and final ship of the Renown-class, with the lead ship of this class, HMS Renown, already in the game. What are the differences between the ships and what are the strengths and weaknesses of HMS Repulse? Let’s have a look!




In the game, HMS Repulse will be coming in its latest 1941 upgrade. The immediate and most noticeable difference is the composition of the auxiliary weapons and the absence of a radar — after all, HMS Renown as we know was significantly rebuilt in 1944. Instead of 114 mm universal guns, HMS Repulse carries three-barreled anti-mine caliber mounts with 102 mm BL Mk IX guns, as well as single 102 mm Mk V guns, which can fire at aircraft. The engine and transmission are also different, with the max speed of HMS Repulse being 28.4 knots (52.6 km/h).

Interesting: The motto of HMS Repulse was “Qui Tangit Frangitur”, which in English means “Who touches me is broken”.



One key advantage of HMS Repulse is its powerful main armament: six 381 mm guns (15 inches) in three turrets, with two turrets located in the bow of the ship and one in the stern. A well-trained crew can reload the guns in 30 seconds, so the density of Repulse’s broadside salvo is quite high! These beefy guns can fire excellent semi-armor piercing shells, which are inferior to armor-piercing ones in terms of armor penetration at short and medium distances, but cause incomparably greater destruction due to the larger amount of TNT.

Did you know? HMS Repulse and HMS Renown were often referred to as HMS Refit and HMS Repair, due to the enormous amount of time spent on repairs and modifications.



In terms of protection, HMS Repulse is ambiguous. The armor belt hides most of the engines and transmission, but its thickness does not give it a chance to survive for long under fire, even from cruisers, not to mention battleships. The main caliber gun magazines are also almost completely unprotected, leading to a catastrophe if these areas are hit accurately. On the other hand, the elevators and main battery turrets are protected much better. In general, getting involved in long-range firefights will not be to the advantage of HMS Repulse — it’s better to rely on the relatively good speed to control the engagement distance, and utilize Repulse’s maneuverability to reduce incoming damage.



That’s it for today’s dev blog! HMS Repulse, being a complex and interesting ship, will come to the game in the Firebirds major update, coming soon — everything is nearly ready. See you!

Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.

War Thunder Mobile is now in its second year! Featuring realistic vehicles, this game has now reached more than 10 million players. Not tried it yet? Then join us! The game can be downloaded on iOS and Android for free.

In honor of the release of the “Steep Dive” major update in War Thunder Mobile, we’re continuing to do joint-events where you can get vehicles in both games by completing tasks in War Thunder Mobile. This time, the list of rewards has been expanded with an aircraft!

All tasks need to be completed in War Thunder Mobile to receive these rewards in War Thunder.

[NEW!] Bf 109 C-1 in a Unique Camouflage

• Research or purchase 4 aircraft in War Thunder Mobile.

This variant of the legendary Bf 109 features a more powerful engine and two additional 7.92 mm machine guns in the wings. Double the firepower!

M4 in a Unique Camouflage

• Take 1st place three times in your team in a tank battle.

The M4 Sherman is a true classic of medium-tier tank battles. Featuring a 75 mm gun and good armor-piercing shells, the M4 Sherman has good hull and turret protection at the front.

Hatsuzuki in a Unique Camouflage

• Win 3 battles.

The Hatsuzuki destroyer (Japanese for “New Moon”) is one of the heaviest ships of this class and is distinguished by its excellent armament of eight 100 mm main guns, numerous 25 mm anti-aircraft guns and 610 mm torpedoes.

Player Icon

• Complete 5 battles.

“War Thunder Mobile” Decal

• Complete 10 battles.

All tasks need to be completed in War Thunder Mobile.

[NEW!] Bf 109 C-1 in a Unique Camouflage

• Research or purchase 4 aircraft in War Thunder Mobile.

M4 Sherman platoon

• Take 1st place three times in your team.

M4 Sherman platoon: M4 Sherman, M10 Wolverine, M24 Chaffee, M16 MGMC.

Hatsuzuki

• Win 3 battles.

Player Icon

• Complete 5 battles.

Nickname Decorator

• Complete 10 battles.

War Thunder players can log into War Thunder Mobile with their Gaijin account. War Thunder Mobile players will simply need to link their existing Apple ID, Google Play ID, or Facebook ID to their Gaijin account. If you’re already playing War Thunder Mobile using your Gaijin account, then you’re all set!

The Firebirds major update brings with it an array of improvements to the aviation portion of the game, specifically test flights, airfields, cockpit models and graphical features. In today’s dev blog we’ll be diving in and taking a look at them, so let’s get started!

Introducing the new Test Flight for aircraft, coming in with a range of improvements. You can now choose the terrain type for the test flight itself, from Western Europe, Eastern Europe Winter, Desert, Mountains, Jungle or Middle East Mediterranean. Previously you were only able to spawn on the airfield, but that has changed! Before going into a test flight, you can now select a spawn point: either on the airfield as normal, or from 500 m to 7 km in the air for planes, and up to 2 km for helicopters, or at an enemy air defense zone to test out your evasive maneuvers. Naval-based aircraft can now also choose between spawning on an aircraft carrier as well.

Airfields themselves have been greatly improved too. There’s new airfield buildings, light indications on the airstrip and even aircraft skid marks at each end of the runway. The test flight itself now has a much more diverse range of targets for you to test out your weapons against, and from different eras. Static and moving ground vehicles, from trucks to tanks, enemy aircraft at different altitudes, bases to bomb, different types of ships, and active air defense systems. When selecting the target rank as “High”, surface-to-air missile capable vehicles will attack you with missiles and ping you with radar.

Original test flight settings are still available, such as gamemode, time of day and weather, unlimited fuel or ammo, configuring gun targeting distance and vertical targeting, fuel amount and ammo belts, secondary weapons and countermeasures.



We’ve upgraded several cockpit models for some planes and helicopters. For planes this includes the entire line of the Ju 87 Stuka dive bomber including the cannon variants, the Soviet Su-2 attackers and lastly the BB-1. For helicopters, the US and Chinese OH-58D as well as the Italian Agusta A.109EOA-2 cockpit models have been updated.



For fans of jet aircraft and modern helicopters, there’s some really important improvements to the immersion while in first-person cockpit view. The indication of warning systems (RWR) is now displayed in the cockpits exactly as these systems would work in reality on specific models of aircraft. Threat markers and signs of their status (for example locked on, launch, new threat, etc) can differ for the third-person camera and cockpit view. For a full list of onboard RWR models and their functionality in first-person view, take a look at the Firebirds major changelog once it releases!



For those who fly in first-person view, the Firebirds major update will add a radar screen and RWS screen to the JAS39A Gripen, a multi-functional display (MFD) for the Platan optical-electronic system in the Su-34 cockpit, and authentic digital indicators for multi-functional displays, as well as a HUD for the F-15E.



When taking your aircraft out in air battles in the Firebirds major update, you’ll definitely notice improvements in terms of graphical effects! For example, the afterburner flame effect for jet aircraft and the effect of rocket boosters have been updated. Brand-new LERX Vapor effects on different surfaces of the aircraft’s wings when gaining altitude and performing maneuvers will now appear, as well as new effects when aircraft slide on different surfaces such as concrete, snow and sand.

That’s not all, as the effects of air-to-air missile and anti-aircraft missile explosions in the air have been reworked. After the explosion occurs, in some cases you’ll be able to see how the engine motor of the missile continues to move along the flight path for a brief time.

Today we’ll be taking a look at the Osa-AK family of air defense missile systems that will be put into four different in-game nations at once.

At a glance:

• Can carry six missiles.
  
• Can launch two missiles at one target.
  
• Almost powerless against ground targets.
  
• Amphibious.
  
• No armor to speak of.
  
• Large in size, making it a big target.

Vehicle History
[expand type=details]
In 1960, the development program for the autonomous “Osa” air defense system was launched, with several research and production enterprises joining the work. After lengthy development and testing, the first systems entered service in the USSR in only 1971, when there were agreements signed to further develop the Osa. In 1975, the Osa-AK modification appeared with six launch containers and improved search and tracking equipment. Soon after, to increase the effectiveness against helicopters, the Osa-AKM modification appeared with improved missiles and a more advanced radar. The Osa family of air defense systems is still in service with the Russian Armed Forces.
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The workhorse of the army’s air defense systems is coming to War Thunder in the Firebirds major update! The Osa will arrive to four nations at once: the Osa-AKM to the USSR, the Romanian Osa-AKM to Italy, the Osa-AK GDR modification to Germany, and the Indian Osa-AK to Great Britain. Both variants of the vehicle are identical in combat capabilities, but will differ in camouflage and radar antenna model. Let’s take a closer look!




The Osa is a wheeled air defense missile system with six launch containers, each capable of launching the 9M33M3 surface-to-air missile. This missile is quite maneuverable and has a launch range of just over 10 km, with the radar capturing and tracking the target and the gunner guiding the missile to the target through an optical sight. Due to the long operation of the cruise engine, the missile speed is almost constant over most of its trajectory. An interesting feature of the Osa is its ability to launch two missiles at one target — this makes the probability of hitting a target higher, however you’ll have to wait a couple of seconds between missile launches. For low-flying targets, the missile first goes up and then hits the target from above through “top-attack”!

Did you know? “Osa” in English means “Wasp”. Its NATO designation is “Gecko”.



Angled upwards, the SAM launch containers feature missiles that require a lengthy arming distance. Additionally, the missile warhead is fragmentation, which in short means you can try to attack armored vehicles, but only light ones and only at extreme distances. Against tanks and light reconnaissance vehicles nearby, the Osa is powerless, lacks armor, is large in size and the wheeled chassis has low power. Oh and by the way, the Osa is amphibious, paving the way for some interesting tactical opportunities!



The Osa-AK and Osa-AKM vehicles will be available for research in the Firebirds major update — don’t miss the dev blogs we’ve got coming to be the first to know all the news. Have fun in your battles!

Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.

The Firebirds major update brings with it a host of improvements to several locations and a complete graphics update to the Abandoned Factory ground battles map!

Welcome to the updated Abandoned Factory map! One of the most beloved locations amongst players for ground battles has been completely transformed visually. Our artists have replaced all the soil textures with new, clear and authentic ones, and the models and textures of buildings and almost all elements of the environment have been changed. Grass and small vegetation have been updated, making them denser, and bushes have been reduced in size to better match the size of ground vehicles.






Despite being significantly updated in terms of visuals, the performance of this location has not changed much when using the same in-game graphics settings as before.

On Abandoned Factory and other War Thunder locations, dust clouds from tracks and wheels caused by ground vehicles in hot weather have been improved. When it’s raining, you’ll see realistic puddles and streams of water flowing from the roofs of buildings and the surface of objects. By the way, for Abandoned Factory, we’ve separately worked on the sky effects in cloudy weather, meaning the clouds have become more realistic.



The ability to interact with various objects in the game has also been updated. For example, in the new Abandoned Factory and other locations, you can now push carriages on the railroad tracks, giving you the chance to freely make your own passage or to make it difficult for your opponents. When driving into cars and trucks, they’ll be realistically crushed under the tracks of your tank.



There’s also great news for pilots! We’ve significantly improved all airfields for aircraft in Test Flights and missions for high-ranked aircraft. The runway slabs have been completely reworked, with the textures becoming sharper and the airfield environment improving significantly. There’s new buildings, a reliable light signaling system, and positions of anti-aircraft missile systems for protecting aircraft. There’s even aircraft skid marks! To improve the airfields, we consulted with current pilots and think they’ve turned out pretty well.






That’s it for today! The updated Abandoned Factory location will come to the game in the Firebirds major update. Follow our website for more dev blogs that we’ve got planned, as there’s a lot of interesting things ahead!

On November 6th, 1942, the twin-engine He 219 night fighter took to the skies for the first time. Being the first combat aircraft with ejection seats, it participated in battles during WWII from June 1943 and quickly demonstrated its effectiveness against the British Mosquito. In total, less than 300 He 219’s were produced before production ended in May 1944.

The premium German He 219 A-7 is available for 2,980 Golden Eagles.

When: From today until November 8th (07:00 GMT).
Where: Germany > Aviation > Premium vehicles.

About this aircraft

• The He 219 A-7 is an advanced modification of the He 219 with enhanced DB 603E engines and six cannons, with a total ammunition amount of 1,000 rounds. The MK 103 cannon’s armor-piercing belt can penetration medium and even heavy tanks, while the MK 108 and MG 151 can handle anti-aircraft vehicles. The He 219 A-7 also performs well as an interceptor, thanks to its mentioned powerful forward-firing guns, plus survivability.

Pre-orders for three store packs have started today! Meet the AV-8S Harrier for Japan, the Su-22M4 for Germany and the formidable JA37DI Viggen for Sweden.


To get to the Gaijin Store through Steam, go to the in-game hangar > Shop > Online Store!
59.99
Pre-order - AV-8S Matador Pack

• This pack includes: AV-8S Matador (Rank 6, Japan)
  
• 2000 Golden Eagles
  
• Premium account for 15 days
  
• Pre-order bonus: unique title "Matador"
  
• Pre-order bonus: unique decal “Naga”
  

The AV-8S represents the Spanish, and later Thai, export variant of the AV-8A Harrier, which is already well familiar to the game. As such, the aircraft inherits much of its flight characteristics from the AV-8A, including the Harrier’s signature VTOL ability, allowing it to act both as a fixed wing aircraft, but also as a helicopter, thanks to its hover capabilities. As with other Harriers, this feature in addition to an extensive suite of suspended weapons makes it particularly well suited for Ground Battles. Furthermore, being able to carry the AIM-9P Sidewinder missile as well as countermeasures ensures that the AV-8S can hold its own in a dogfight. Lastly, with the AV-8S being a Premium aircraft, you can use its additional bonuses to speed up progression towards some of the top Japanese aircraft!






Pre-order - Su-22M4 WTD 61 Pack
To get to the Gaijin Store through Steam, go to the in-game hangar > Shop > Online Store!
69.99

• This pack includes:
  
• Su-22M4 WTD 61 (Rank 7, Germany)
  
• 2500 Golden Eagles
  
• Premium account for 20 days
  
• Pre-order bonus: unique title "Fitter"
  
• Pre-order bonus: unique "Ingolstadt coat of arms" decal
  
  
• Pre-order bonus: JBG 77 Anniversary Camouflage (click image to expand)
  

The Su-22M4 comes to the game as the pinnacle of the Su-17/22 family in German service. This advanced variant is able to employ cutting-edge guided ordnance, including TV-guided weapons, as well as laser-guided munitions. Furthermore, the Su-22M4 proves formidable in air-to-air combat, equipped with over 250 countermeasures and the potent all-aspect R-60MK missiles. Its upgraded engine and avionics ensure rapid delivery of these deadly weapons to enemy targets. In essence, the Su-22M4 embodies a true multirole masterpiece for German high-tier air operations. It excels in both air-to-air and air-to-ground engagements, making it a formidable force on the battlefield.






Pre-order - Saab JA37DI Viggen F21 Pack
To get to the Gaijin Store through Steam, go to the in-game hangar > Shop > Online Store!
79.99
This pack includes:

• Saab JA 37DI Viggen F21 (Rank 8, Sweden)
  
• 3000 Golden Eagles
  
• Premium accoount for 30 days
  
• Pre-order bonus: unique title "Lightning strike"
  
• Pre-order bonus: unique "Mjölnir" decal
  
  
• Pre-order bonus: unique four-color camouflage (click image to expand)
  

The JA37DI represents a further modification of the JA37D, which itself became available during the mid 1990s. Building upon the upgrades of the standard D variant of the Viggen, the DI modification focused on streamlining the aircraft’s systems and avionics for international operations. Most notably however, the JA37DI brings with it the ability to mount the Rb99 missile. Being the Swedish designation for the American AIM-120, its addition to the Viggen greatly increases the aircraft’s effectiveness in aerial combat, giving it the ability to hunt down targets which are beyond visual range. In addition to this, the Viggen retains its signature superb flight characteristics culminating in the aircraft’s excellent maneuverability thanks to its sleek delta wing design!