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Get the T-72B3 “Arena” in the Paintball Arena Event!

[p][/p][p]Paintball is a sport for true adrenaline junkies! Put on your helmets, grab your paintball gun, don’t forget your gear and head to the arena. Stay alert, stay behind cover, and don’t forgive your opponents for their mistakes, whether in a competitive match or in our new tank event dedicated to the T-72B3 “Arena”![/p][p][/p]
[p]From January 22nd (11:00 GMT) until February 9th (11:00 GMT), earn mission points in Ground Battles, unlock stages and receive rewards![/p]
[p][/p][h2]T-72B3 “Arena” — An Event Vehicle MBT for the USSR at Rank VII[/h2][p][/p][p][/p][p]One of the areas of further modernization for the T-72B3 tank was equipping it with modern active protection systems. A variant of the tank equipped with an Arena family active protection system was demonstrated at the RAE-2013 exhibition in Nizhny Tagil. This system complements the T-72B3’s already good level of protection. The Arena is capable of engaging incoming guided missiles on approach, destroying them with a fragmentation field several meters from the T-72B3’s armor. This modification is equipped with a ChTZ V-84-1 diesel engine and Kontakt-5 ERA.[/p][p][/p]
[p] [/p]
[p] [/p]
[p] [/p]
[p][/p]
[p]“Warning! Paintball Zone” decal [/p]
[p]“Paintball” decal[/p]
[p]“Paintball Marker” decoration[/p]
[p]“Paintball Helmet” decoration[/p]
[p][/p][p]Among the rewards in the event is also this chest. When opened, there is a chance to receive one of the following items:[/p]
  • [p]50,000 - 100,000 Silver Lions[/p]
  • [p]Silver Lion and Research boosters[/p]
  • [p]Random Wagers and Orders[/p]
  • [p]Universal Backups (1 - 3) [/p]
  • [p]A random obtainable camouflage for a vehicle you own[/p]
  • [p]1 day of Premium Account[/p]
[p][/p][h2]How to get all rewards[/h2][p]Each stage can be achieved for 45,000 mission points, every new stage achieved will give you a new reward.[/p][p] [/p]
[p]Please note: After finishing a stage, you need to collect the reward manually. To do this, click on your name in-game, go to “Paintball Arena” and click the “Get Reward” button.[/p]
[p][/p][p]You’re able to earn mission points in Ground Battles at Rank III or above in Arcade, Realistic and Simulator Battles. The number of mission points to complete a stage depends on the game mode and the maximum Rank of the vehicle that you use in battle. There’s a multiplier for earning mission points, which is shown in the task description in-game. [/p][p] [/p][p]You can also earn mission points by using event vehicles that are Rank I and II. Event vehicles that can be used have the name of the event that they were obtainable in on their stat card.[/p][p] [/p]
[p]Stages change every two days at 11:00 GMT on January 24th, 26th, 28th, 30th and February 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th[/p]
[p][/p][h2]Rewards are given when you complete a specific number of stages[/h2]
  • [p]For 1 Stage: trophy with a random reward[/p]
  • [p]For 2 Stages: one of the decal rewards[/p]
  • [p]For 3 Stages: trophy with a random reward[/p]
  • [p]For 4 Stages: one of the decal rewards[/p]
  • [p]For 5 Stages: “Paintball Helmet” decoration[/p]
  • [p]For 6 Stages: trophy with a random reward[/p]
  • [p]For 7 Stages: “Paintball Marker” decoration[/p]
  • [p]For 8 Stages: non-tradable coupon for the T-72B3 “Arena”[/p]
  • [p]For 9 Stages: a unique camouflage and 4 random modifications for the T-72B3 “Arena”[/p]
[p][/p]
[p]Please note: You can only receive the modifications if the T-72B3 “Arena” is activated on your account.[/p]
[p][/p][h2]Discounts for purchasing stages using Golden Eagles[/h2][p]Unfinished stages can be purchased for Golden Eagles, but if you’re very close to completing a stage, its price will be significantly reduced.[/p][p][/p][p]Let’s say you have earned 85% of the required mission points to complete a stage, then the price of purchasing this stage will be halved. If you’re near the finish line for a stage and are at 95% progress, then the price will be reduced by five times. For example, if you’ve scored 39,000 mission points, then the price to unlock this stage will be 499 Golden Eagles. If you’ve scored 43,000 mission points, then you’ll only need 199 Golden Eagles. Remember to keep this in mind if you cannot complete a stage on time![/p][p][/p][h2]Coupon Upgrade[/h2][p]When you complete 8 stages, you’ll receive a non-tradable coupon for the T-72B3 “Arena”, using it will immediately activate the vehicle onto your account. If you don’t want the vehicle and would like to sell the coupon on the Market, you’ll need the “Upgrade for coupon” item.[/p][p] [/p]
[p]The “Upgrade for coupon” item can be earned in parallel with the stages throughout the event from January 22nd (11:00 GMT) until February 9th (11:00 GMT) for 750,000 mission points.[/p]
[p][/p][p]After receiving the “Upgrade for coupon” item, you can convert a non-tradable coupon for the vehicle into a tradable one and sell it on the Market. The tradable coupon can be sold after 6 days from the moment it’s created.[/p][p] [/p][p]The “Upgrade for coupon” item is valid until 11:00 GMT on February 13th. Until this time, you can use it or exchange it for War Bonds. Afterwards, it’ll disappear from your inventory.[/p][p] [/p]
[p]To make a tradable coupon, select the “Coupon T-72B3 “Arena” (USSR)” in your inventory and click the “Modify” button.[/p]
[p][/p][p]You can track the progress of completing stages and the “Upgrade for coupon” item by clicking on your Nickname > Achievements > Paintball Arena. If you don’t manage to complete a stage on time or would like to purchase a stage, you can do so with Golden Eagles until February 13th from the Achievements window, which will give you the corresponding rewards.[/p]

The XM1 (GM) Returns for Operation Desert Storm’s Anniversary!

[p][/p][p][/p][p]On January 17th, 1991, the international coalition launched Operation Desert Storm, a response to Iraq’s occupation of Kuwait. The operation began with a large-scale bombing campaign targeting Iraqi air defenses and infrastructure, until February 24th, when ground forces were deployed. In just four days, they achieved a ceasefire and the withdrawal of Iraqi troops from Kuwait. This operation saw M1 Abrams main battle tanks undergo their baptism of fire, demonstrating their superiority on the battlefield.[/p][p][/p][h2]The XM1 (GM) returns and is available at a temporary 30% discount for 6,111 Golden Eagles![/h2][p][/p]
  • [p]The XM1 (GM) will remain available for purchase after this promotion ends at the regular price.[/p]
[h3][/h3]
[p]When: From January 16th (11:00 GMT) until January 19th (11:00 GMT).[/p][p]Where: USA > Army > Premium vehicles.[/p]
[p][/p][carousel][/carousel][p][/p][h3]About this tank[/h3]
  • [p]The XM1 is an experimental prototype whose developments formed the basis for the M1 Abrams main battle tank. It boasts impressive speed and maneuverability, allowing it to take advantageous positions on the battlefield and capture objectives quickly. Its 105 mm gun features a dual-plane stabilizer, along with a thermal imager and laser rangefinder aid in target acquisition.
    [/p]

Server Update 16.01.2026

[p][/p][h3]Aircraft[/h3]
  • [p]MiG-27K, MiG-27M — the restriction on the combined use of munitions with Laser and TV seekers has been removed.[/p]
  • [p]F-106A — the drag chute rip off speed has been increased from 220 km/h to 320 km/h.[/p]
[p] [/p][h3]Ground Vehicles[/h3]
  • [p]BMPT, BMPT-72 — the part of the 30 mm cannon belt located outside of the vehicle is now separated from the part of the belt located inside the vehicle. The fire or explosion of the internal part of the belt now leads to the destruction of the vehicle. The fire or explosion of the external part of the belt can seriously damage the external modules.
    The erroneously missing ATGM launcher stabilizer has been added.
    A bug that caused the autoloader sound to play when reloading ATGMs has been fixed. (Report).[/p]
  • [p]BMPT — a bug that caused the destruction of the Power System module to not disable the FCS has been fixed. (Report).[/p]
[p] [/p][h3]Locations and Missions[/h3]
  • [p]Franz Josef Land — a bug that sometimes caused the ship to spawn in another ship on the Southern spawn point of the Eastern team has been fixed. (Report).[/p]
  • [p]\[Battle] European Province — a bug that caused the playable area in the mission to not include the whole playable area indicated on the minimap has been fixed. (Report).[/p]
[p] [/p][h3]Interface[/h3]
  • [p]A bug that caused temporarily available for purchase vehicles to not display in the tech tree until the player switched the vehicle preset has been fixed.[/p]
[p] [/p][h3]Customization and Achievements[/h3]
  • [p]FSAF SAMP/T (Mamba) (TEL) — a bug that caused the Modern desert camouflage to not apply to the TEL vehicle has been fixed. (Report).[/p]
[p][/p][hr][/hr][p]Patch notes reflect only key changes, meaning they may not include a complete list of all improvements made. Additionally, War Thunder is constantly being updated and some changes may not require an update. Changes reflected in patch notes are formed by taking reactions and requests of the community from the bug reporting service, forums and other official platforms into account. Bug fixes and changes are implemented in order of importance, for example a game-breaking bug will be worked on and implemented sooner.[/p]

Update 2.53.0.52

[p][/p][p][/p][h3]Aircraft[/h3]
  • [p]With the release of one of the previous server updates, a bug that caused direct hits of AAMs and SAMs on aircraft to deal too little damage has been fixed.[/p]
  • [p]F-106A — the maximum drag chute opening speed has been increased from 200 km/h to 296 km/h. (Report).[/p]
[p] [/p][h3]Ground Vehicles[/h3]
  • [p]A bug that sometimes caused hits from HEAT projectiles to generate no spall has been fixed. (Report).[/p]
  • [p]BMPT-72 — an issue where the commander’s sight camera was slightly offset to the side when both the “aim mode” was enabled and disabled has been fixed. An issue where the commander’s sight camera could not be moved to the left when zooming in has been fixed. (Report).[/p]
  • [p]TOG II — a bug that caused smoke grenades fired from the turret mortar to fly in the direction of the hull rather than the turret has been fixed. (Report).[/p]
  • [p]Mark V — a bug where the left gun barrel model did not rotate along with the breech and gun mount has been fixed. (Report).[/p]
[p] [/p][h3]Locations and Missions[/h3]
  • [p]\[Domination] African Gulf — a bug where Bluewater fleet ships could appear outside of the playable area has been fixed. (Report).[/p]
  • [p]Sinai — a bug that caused the minimap to be semi-transparent has been fixed.[/p]
[p] [/p][h3]Appearance and Achievements[/h3]
  • [p]AGS — the condition for using the “Snow w/Open Terrain camouflage MERDC” camouflage has been adjusted from forest to winter. (Report).[/p]
  • [p]MiG-29N (Japan) — a bug where the aircraft received achievements for German vehicles instead of Malaysian vehicles has been fixed. (Report).[/p]
[p][/p][hr][/hr][p]Patch notes reflect only key changes, meaning they may not include a complete list of all improvements made. Additionally, War Thunder is constantly being updated and some changes may not require an update. Changes reflected in patch notes are formed by taking reactions and requests of the community from the bug reporting service, forums and other official platforms into account. Bug fixes and changes are implemented in order of importance, for example a game-breaking bug will be worked on and implemented sooner.[/p]

The SAV 20.12.48 for Swedish Armed Forces Day!

[p][/p][p]The history of the modern Swedish kingdom dates back to 1523, when Gustav Vasa declared the country’s independence and became its king. The first armed forces of independent Sweden were Vasa’s personal bodyguards, volunteers who enlisted in his service on January 14th 1521. A hundred years later, King Gustav II Adolf transformed his troops into a regular, disciplined army, and thanks to the coordination of various branches of the armed forces and new tactics, became one of the best in Europe. [/p][p][/p][h2]The SAV 20.12.48 is temporarily available for 1,300 Golden Eagles![/h2][h3][/h3]
[p]When: From January 14th (11:00 GMT) until January 17th (11:00 GMT).[/p][p]Where: Sweden > Army > Premium vehicles.[/p]
[p][/p][carousel][/carousel][p][/p][h3]About this tank[/h3]
  • [p]In the late 1940s, Bofors created an experimental 120 mm naval gun, and mounted it on a tank chassis. The SAV 20.12.48 never went into mass production, but you can try it out in War Thunder! It’s a fast and maneuverable vehicle with an unexpectedly high rate of fire, reloading in just 1.2 seconds!
    [/p]