War Thunder News

The ZTZ99A is the most modern variant of the Chinese ZTZ99 series of main battle tanks and also its most advanced iteration to date. Packing improved mobility and protection, the ZTZ99A will soon be arriving at the top of the Chinese tree as part of the “Danger Zone” Major Update!

Briefly: The most advanced variant of the ZTZ99 MBT series, featuring a new arrow-shaped turret and an uprated engine.

[h2]ZTZ99A, main battle tank, China, Rank VII[/h2]

Features:

• Improved turret protection
  
• Uprated 1,500 hp engine
  
• Thermal imaging
  
• Low profile
  
• Excellent reverse speed
  

In War Thunder, the ZTZ99A will be the new top Chinese main battle tank awaiting tankers in the upcoming next major update Danger Zone. Representing the evolutionary peak of the ZTZ99 series of Chinese MBTs to date, the ZTZ99A will offer its aspiring commanders vastly improved turret protection as well as greatly enhanced mobility on top of already deadly firepower. Enticed already? How about we get into more details?



The ZTZ99A is a further development of the ZTZ99 MBT, already familiar to seasoned War Thunder tankers and fans of Chinese ground vehicles in the game. However, despite sharing a common chassis, the ZTZ99A can be considered a completely new vehicle thanks to a near complete overhaul of its design, particularly concerning its turret. Unlike previous variants, the ZTZ99A features a new arrow-shaped turret, fitted with state-of-the-art ERA and composite armor, capable of defeating even tandem charge chemical rounds.

While the protection upgrade did result in the vehicle gaining roughly 4 tons in weight over its immediate predecessor, this drawback is amply compensated by the ZTZ99A receiving a new 1,500 horsepower diesel engine. As a result, the vehicle’s power-to-weight ratio increases to an impressive 27.7 hp/t despite the weight increase! As a result, the ZTZ99A actually outmatches its predecessors in terms of mobility, being able to attain a top speed of 75 km/h on paved roads. Furthermore, a new transmission eliminates the poor reverse speed of the older modifications with the ZTZ99A now being capable of reaching up to 34 km/h while going in reverse. Quite a handy upgrade for intense gun fights, eh?



Unlike its protection and mobility, the ZTZ99A’s firepower however remains virtually unchanged from previous versions. The vehicle still features the familiar ZPT-98 125 mm smoothbore cannon as well as a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun and a top-mounted high-caliber commander’s machine gun. Therefore, the ZTZ99A inherits its predecessors’ excellent firepower and combines it with its own upgrades to result in a potent new fighting vehicle, worthy of the top spot in the Chinese ground forces tree.



The ZTZ99A arrives in War Thunder as part of the next major update, Danger Zone and will become the new crowning jewel of the Chinese ground forces tree in the game. In the meantime, make sure to stay tuned to the news as we continue unveiling some of the highlights awaiting players in the upcoming update. Until then, happy hunting tankers!

This June marks the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Midway, a turning point of the war in the Pacific during WWII. Japanese forces planned to catch the Americans by surprise, but the Japanese naval code was deciphered, and this allowed US troops to properly prepare and triumph in battle.

From June 3rd (11:00 GMT) till June 6th (07:00 GMT) play 3 battles in American or Japanese vehicles (rank III and above, activity 70% or more) to achieve the “Battle of Midway” decal.

The decal can be found in the customization menu, section “Other”.

Score 10,000 points in naval battles of rank III and above to achieve the “Emblem of USS Yorktown”. Points multiplier is listed in the description of the task.

The decal can be found in the customization menu, section “USA”.

Tasks can be completed in random battles, apart from Enduring Confrontation and the [Assault] missions. You may track your progress by clicking your Nickname → Achievements → Battle of Midway.

mazingly—and I mean that without an ounce of hyperbole, I am amazed—it has happened again. For the third time, according to the UK Defense Journal, classified military documents have been posted to the forums of War Thunder, Gaijin Entertainment's free-to-play vehicular war game, because a player got pissed off that some tiny aspect of the simulation was wrong...
Read more.

Kronshtadt was an advanced Soviet battlecruiser designed in the mid 1930s. Fans of Soviet warships will soon have the chance to take command of the Kronshtadt battlecruiser as it docks in player ports in the next major update, Danger Zone!

Briefly: A 1930s Soviet battlecruiser, sporting heavy firepower and excellent mobility at the expense of protection.

[h2]Kronshtadt, battlecruiser, USSR, Rank V[/h2]

Features:

• Excellent mobility
  
• Formidable weapons arsenal
  
• Scout plane
  
• Vulnerable to high-caliber fire
  
• Large silhouette
  

In War Thunder, Kronshtadt will be a new top rank capital vessel coming to reinforce the Soviet bluewater fleet as part of the next major update; Danger Zone. Combining potent firepower with excellent mobility, captains will soon get the chance to take command of the very first battlecruiser to make its way into the Soviet fleet in the game!



During its complex design history, Soviet shipbuilders made sure that Kronshtadt was capable of successfully facing off comparable nations’ warships. The success of this endeavor truly shows when captains take note of Kronshtadt’s impressive firepower. Namely, the ship sports a heavy primarmy battery of nine 12’’ (305 mm) cannons, spread across three triple turrets. Throughout gun duels, the main battery is supported by a total of eight 6’’ (152 mm) cannons, with two twin turrets nestled below each side of the ship's forward superstructure. As a result, Kronshtadt is ideally equipped to engage virtually all surface threats it can encounter in naval battles.

This isn’t the end of the story yet, however, as this doesn’t encompass all of Kronshtadt’s weapons. The warship also sports a rather capable anti-air defense too. Namely, Kronshtadt is fitted with four twin 100 mm dual-purpose cannons complemented by another seven quadruple 37 mm short-range automatic cannons. As a result, Kronshtadt can easily hold its own against imminent aerial attacks but captains may encounter some difficulties in effectively intercepting enemy aircraft at longer distances or higher altitudes. For the latter scenario, it’s worth keeping in mind that Kronshtadt is a relatively sizable target and thus perfect prey for high-altitude bombers!



This doesn’t imply that Kronshtadt is an easy target to hit and destroy on the other hand. Quite the contrary is the case as Kronshtadt’s propulsion system can generate up to 210,000 hp resulting in a top speed of 32 kts (59.2 km/h). Why captains will need this mobility is also the reason why the ship has this capability in the first place. Namely, the Kronshtadt’s armor protection sits right between cruiser and battleship standards of protection. Featuring a 230 mm thick belt and 330 mm of armor around its conning tower makes the Kronshtadt adequately protected against cruiser fire but leaves it somewhat vulnerable to incoming fire from heavier vessels, such as battleships. Therefore, captains are well advised to avoid presenting too much of the ship’s surface area to incoming heavy fire and use the excellent mobility to the full extent in order to remain difficult to hit.



Kronshtadt will soon be docking in player ports as it arrives into War Thunder as part of the next major update, Danger Zone, coming soon. In the meantime, keep scanning the horizon for more news as we continue unveiling what other exciting new additions await you in the upcoming update. Until then, calm seas and happy hunting captains!

The American M1A1 AIM Abrams main battle tank in service with the Australian army comes as a new squadron vehicle for all War Thunder players!

[h2]M1A1 AIM, main battle tank, USA, rank VII. Squadron vehicle.[/h2]

Features:

• Detailed thermal imager
  
• KE-W armor piercing rounds
  
• High vitality
  
• Good mobility
  

With the release of the Danger Zone update, the M1A1 AIM main battle tank will become a new squadron vehicle and will be available to all War Thunder players. Abrams is good, a good Abrams is even better, and a good Abrams that you can get for free is simply great! Let's take a closer look at the Australian MBT?



The Australian Abrams is an overhauled tank of the M1A1 series with the replacement of the obsolete fire control system. In gameplay the Australian tank differs from the US early M1A1s by improved thermal imaging electronics, TVD for the AA machine gun, and a different gun ammunition. The tank received a better thermal imager than the M1A1 of earlier versions - the poor digitalization of early Abramses’ TVD is one of the most annoying things with these tanks.

As for ammunition, one may say that the variety of shells of the Australian tank is poor - the stock M830 HEAT round, which is unlikely to surprise anyone at rank VII, and the much more interesting KE-W. The KE-W APFSDS round is already familiar to players from the Turkish M60 AMBT. The projectile of this shell is able to pierce more than 580 mm of armor - this is, without a doubt, one of the best kinetic projectiles in the game. It is worth noting that, as with all other squadron vehicles, the player needs to research the modifications on their own, even if they are purchased for Golden Eagles. This round is unlocked for commanders already at the third tier of the M1A1 AIM modifications, and it would be most reasonable to schedule a modules research in order to quickly acquire the fearsome AP round, which is capable of piercing any vehicle in the game in any area of ​​​​the hull or turret.



The Abrams M1A1 AIM will be yours for squadron activity points (if you're already a member of War Thunder squadrons) or for Golden Eagles (there's a good article about Squadron vehicles on our Wiki). Australian Abrams, dozens of other interesting vehicles, new locations and game mechanics await you in the upcoming Danger Zone major update. Soon!