War Thunder News

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!

[h2]Let’s begin the 201st edition of our competition![/h2]

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.



[h3]Terms:[/h3]

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.
  

[h2]And now, time for the winners of the competition’s 200th edition – Legends of War![/h2]

[h3]Winners selected via community votes:[/h3]
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3614415334
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3616821287
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3616197998

[h3]Winners selected by our judges:[/h3]
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!

[p][/p][p]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.[/p][p][/p][h2]APPLY FOR THE INFANTRY CBT![/h2][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][h3]How do I get into Closed Beta Testing?[/h3][p]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.[/p][p][/p][h3]How does Closed Beta Testing work?[/h3][p]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. [/p][p][/p][p]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.[/p][p][/p][h3]Welcome to Granitograd![/h3][p][/p][p]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.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Weapons and Attachments[/h3][p][/p][p]The 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.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]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.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Take positions![/h3][p][/p][p]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.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]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.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Which platforms is the Closed Beta Test (CBT) taking place?[/h3][p]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.[/p][p][/p][p]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![/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][p]A brand new series of combat vehicles based on the T-72 family of tanks with 30 mm cannons and anti-tank missiles![/p][p][/p][p] [/p][p][/p][h3]Vehicle History[/h3][p]Work 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.[/p][p][/p][p]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.[/p][p][/p][p]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.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Introducing the Terminators![/h3][p]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![/p][p][/p][p]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.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]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.[/p][p][/p][p]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.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]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![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Please note that these vehicles are still in development and certain characteristics may change before release.[/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][p]Introducing the Line of Contact major update and a new War Thunder game mode, featuring infantry![/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][h2]Testing Infantry![/h2][p]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![/p][p][/p][p]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.[/p][p][/p][p]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.[/p][p][/p][p]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![/p][p][/p][h2]APPLY FOR THE INFANTRY CBT![/h2][p][/p][p]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![/p]

[p][/p][p]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![/p][p][/p][h2]New Features in the Hangar[/h2][h3]Weapons Displayed on Stands![/h3][p]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. [/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]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.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Adding Some Life to Vehicles![/h3][p]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.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Detailed Hangar for Featured Premium Vehicles![/h3][p]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! [/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Toggle Festive Hangars On or Off![/h3][p]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*.[/p][p][/p][h2]Updated Poland (Winter)[/h2][p]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.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]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.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]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![/p]