War Thunder News

Thank you for all of your submissions last week! For the 200th competition in the series we’re celebrating the vehicles that have earned their place in history, and in your hearts. This week, capture a screenshot featuring a machine you consider a legend, whether it’s famous in real life, iconic in War Thunder, or simply a personal favorite you’ve relied on across your battles. The three most popular and three selected by us will get 300 GE. See the winners down below!

[h2]Let’s begin the 200th edition of our competition![/h2]

Create a stunning screenshot and submit it on the War Thunder Steam Community Hub with the tag #WTscreen200. You have time until the 5th 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 at least one player vehicle.
You must add the #WTscreen200 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 199th edition – City Limits![/h2]

[h3]Winners selected via community votes:[/h3]
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3610112952
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3610498837
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3610182003

[h3]Winners selected by our judges:[/h3]
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3610141332
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3610929936
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3611612902

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

[p][/p][p]Enjoy a special black friday bundle and Black Shark Pack with discount![/p]

[p]From November 27th 18:00 GMT until December 4th 18:00 GMT[/p]

[p][/p][h3]“Black Friday” Bundle -50%[/h3][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p]This bundle includes:[/p]

• [p]Black Shark Pack[/p]
• [p]M18 “Black Cat” Pack[/p]
• [p]A43 Black Prince Pack[/p]
• [p]P-61A-11 Black Widow Pack[/p]
• [p]Unique title: Back in Black[/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][p]Meet this export modification of the famous British Hawk aircraft for the Indonesian Air Force![/p][p][/p][p] [/p][p][/p][h3]Vehicle History[/h3][p]The Hawk was a development of British Aerospace intended as a replacement for the Gnat trainer, as the more complex Jaguar proved unsuitable for cadet training. The high reliability and adaptability of the Hawk platform quickly made it an appealing aircraft for export, not only as a trainer, but as a light multi-role fighter as well. One of the key export versions was the Hawk 200 series, which first flew in 1986. Unlike the trainer variants, this was a light single-seat strike fighter, with an enlarged nose to accommodate a radar.[/p][p][/p][p]In June 1993, Indonesia signed a contract for a supply of Hawk aircraft, including eight two-seat Hawk 109 combat trainers and 16 single-seat Hawk 209 multi-role fighter models, with the option to request an additional 16 Hawks of the latest model. This option was fully exercised, and by 1998, the Indonesian Air Force received all 40 Hawks. These versatile aircraft significantly enhanced the potential of the air force, filling every role required, from light fighter-bomber duties to more precise tactical operations.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Introducing the Hawk 209![/h3][p]The Indonesian Hawk 209 will become a highly versatile and effective premium multi-role strike aircraft in the Japanese air tree in the upcoming major update! Pre-orders are open for this special Hawk from today, so let’s cover some of the key features of this fierce little fighter![/p][p][/p][p]Last update, two members of the renowned Hawk family made their way to the game, already becoming a common sight in air and combined battles alike. This new premium aircraft for Japan is the Indonesian export modification, highly compact and nicely agile. The Hawk 209 will be a loyal companion for tankers especially, as even though it can comfortably hold its own as a fighter, its primary duty is to support ground forces.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]The primary difference between this Indonesian variant and the regular Hawk 200 is the armament. The internal cannons have been removed, but don’t worry! A 30 mm cannon pod has been mounted on the central pylon under the fuselage to fend off aircraft and light targets. The bulk of the Hawk 209’s arsenal consists of bombs. You’ll be able to choose from many options, from 250, 500, and 1000 lb, along with classic FFAR unguided rockets.[/p][p][/p][p]For more exciting weaponry, this Hawk can also equip AGM-65G Maverick air-to-ground missiles with semi-armor-piercing warheads, which are highly effective against ground vehicles. For air targets, you’ll be able to mount all-aspect AIM-9P-4 air-to-air missiles, making this Hawk exceptionally versatile on all fronts.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]The Hawk 209 will arrive with the final major update of 2025, which will be coming soon! Meanwhile, you can now pre-order a special bundle that includes the special Hawk 209, a unique title and decal, a large helping of Golden Eagles and lots of Premium Time![/p][p][/p][p]Please note that vehicle characteristics are still in development and may change before release.[/p]

[p][/p][p]Hey everyone! Last month, we asked you to leave your questions in a YouTube post so that we could compile them into a video Q&A with War Thunder Game Director, Viacheslav Bulannikov.[/p][p][/p][p]The video is here! Check it out as Viacheslav answers some of the most upvoted and hottest questions that you’ve asked regarding the game.[/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

[p][/p][p][/p][p]Meet Stalingrad, an ambitious Soviet battlecruiser designed chiefly as a “cruiser killer.”[/p][p] [/p][p] [/p][h3]Vehicle History[/h3][p]On May 15th, 1941, the People’s Commissariat of the USSR Navy approved the design specifications for the "Project 82" heavy cruiser. The ship was conceived as a multi-purpose vessel, capable of engaging heavy enemy ships, supporting light naval forces, laying minefields, and suppressing coastal batteries. The cruiser was initially planned to be armed with eight 203 mm guns, powerful anti-aircraft weaponry, torpedo tubes and four reconnaissance aircraft. During the initial review of the plans, however, the 203 mm main battery was considered by many specialists to be insufficient for a ship of such size. Increasing the main caliber would give the ship superiority over foreign cruisers designed under the Washington Naval Treaty, which was an appealing concept for the designers. However, work on these revisions was interrupted by Operation Barbarossa, marking the start of the Second World War for the USSR and necessitating an immediate shift in priority.[/p][p][/p][p]The project was revisited later in 1943 after the course of the war started to turn more favorable, and the duties and specifications of Stalingrad were further refined. The first revision saw the planned firepower increased to 220 mm, and later again to 305 mm in 1947, after the government expressed their desire for more powerful armament. It was with this caliber that the final design was approved on August 31st, 1948. The lead ship, Stalingrad, was laid down in Nikolaev on December 31st, 1951, with construction on two more cruisers beginning the following year. However, in 1953 following the death of J. V. Stalin, all work on the cruisers was halted, and the partially constructed hulls were dismantled on the slipways. The hull of Stalingrad itself was used as a training target for various weapon systems, including early missiles.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Introducing Stalingrad![/h3][p]A highly specialized ship will be arriving in the next War Thunder update — the battlecruiser Stalingrad! It features excellent armor penetration, impressive speed, but mediocre protection. The ultimate glass cannon of the Soviet bluewater fleet, let’s have a look![/p][p][/p][p]The final approved concept of the Project 82 series of battlecruisers featured three triple SM-31 turrets housing high-velocity 305 mm guns. The performance of its AP and HE shells is comparable to that of battleship guns, offering very high penetration for their caliber. This impressive firepower is further aided by an advanced mechanized loading system that keeps the fire rate high. Stalingrad’s auxiliary weaponry consists of six twin 130 mm dual-purpose guns, which will be nicely familiar to captains experienced with Soviet post-war destroyers. The anti-aircraft battery is not lacking either, featuring twenty four 45 mm guns in six quad mounts and forty 25 mm guns in ten quad mounts, making Stalingrad a truly formidable force in terms of firepower.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Even with this powerful, almost battleship-esque armament, Stalingrad firmly remains a cruiser, chiefly because of its speed, and secondly because of its armor. Stalingrad can cruise at an enviable 35.2 knots (65 km/h), making this battlecruiser one of the fastest ships at its rank! All of this comes with a harsh drawback, however, and that’s the armor. Protection had to be sacrificed to keep the speed high, and was reduced further as a consequence of the heavy gun mounts and their weighty reloading mechanisms. Stalingrad’s main belt armor is only 180 mm thick at a slight angle. The main caliber turrets fare slightly better at 240 mm, but protection is certainly unimpressive across the board. Stalingrad’s armor is vulnerable to nearly all guns at medium and close range, so make sure to rely on the high speed, and stick with more armored teammates for protection while making good use of the powerful long range performance of Stalingrad’s cannons.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Fast, lethal, but vulnerable, the battlecruiser Stalingrad will be waiting for skilled and tactical commanders when it arrives in the final update of 2025. Stay tuned, we have literal tons of vehicles still to show you, we’ll see you soon for the next blog![/p][p][/p][p]Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.[/p]