War Thunder News

Today, we’d like to give you a heads up regarding the removal of the R2Y2 V1, V2 and V3 for research so that you can get them before they’re gone.

In War Thunder, we want to include vehicles that were complete and built; either in full, in the prototype phase or in the experimental phase. Much like the removed German ground vehicles in 2019, the three R2Y2 aircraft are unhistorical “paper” vehicles that were never built in any capacity, added in 2014 to fill a gap due to the severe lack of possible aircraft available for Japan at the time.

Detailed history and context of the R2Y2
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The Yokosuka R2Y was an unarmed Japanese reconnaissance aircraft prototype that flew in the very late months of the Second World War in May 1945. This version (R2Y1 Keiun) was a piston engined version of the aircraft that featured twin coupled engines. Naturally the war stopped before its development could be taken any further and of the 3 prototypes, just one was completed. However, plans were made for a jet engined version of this aircraft, featuring twin Ne-330 engines in an attacker configuration. It is this version (R2Y2) that we decided to introduce in 2014 to the game, as it most closely matched the existing or planned jet bombers / attackers for other nations at the time. For example, the Canberra, B-57, Ar 234 and IL-28.
As the R2Y1 was destroyed and its development was not taken further, the R2Y2 was very much a mystery. There were only estimations of its performance, based on a combination of known R2Y1 details and the performance of the Ne-330 engines. Its overall design was very much speculative in terms of the “V2” and “V3” configurations and it’s questionable if they were even part of the original design plans to begin with. Back in 2014, we worked with what resources there were on the aircraft and brought it to some form of reality, being virtual reality, in War Thunder.
[/expand]

Our stance on the R2Y2 series is that they would be removed when functional replacements became available. Fast-forward to 2025, the Japanese aircraft tree now features many new aircraft, including Thai aircraft that fill enough spots and cover various Battle Ratings so that this can happen. We know that many players will want to obtain these vehicles before they are removed from being able to be researched, so there are just under 3 months to research them before they’re gone.

On April 30th 2025, the following three will be removed from research from the Japanese aircraft tree:

• R2Y2 Kai V1
  
• R2Y2 Kai V2
  
• R2Y2 Kai V3
  

Key information:

• These vehicles will no longer be available for research after the above removal date and will become collectable vehicles to everyone that currently owns them. They will not be hidden from anyone who already owns them.
  
• If you’ve put at least 1 RP into one of these vehicles (through RP earned or converting RP), you’ll be able to fully finish the research even after the removal date. Remember, there are three in the game — if you want to keep all three, you’ll need to put research into each individually. Since they are in a group, this would require researching V1 and V2 fully to be able to put research into V3.
  
• We currently have no plans to ever return the R2Y2’s to the game to be researched or obtained after the removal.
  

Your screenshots from last week looked great, thanks for sharing! This week is simple - Take a picture of whichever vehicle is your favorite! The three most popular and three selected by us will get 300 GE. See the winners down below!

[h2]Let’s begin the 157th edition of our competition![/h2]

Create a stunning screenshot and submit it on the War Thunder Steam Community Hub with the tag #WTscreen157. You have time until the 7th of February 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 feature a player vehicle.
You must add the #WTscreen157 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 156th edition – Helping Hands![/h2]

[h3]Winners selected via community votes:[/h3]
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3414573737
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3414638622
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3414660915

[h3]Winners selected by our judges:[/h3]
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3414520930
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3416001386
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3414983328

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

In this next aviation event, we’re celebrating the Norwegian Air Force. Take part in air battles to get unique decals as well as this special version of the F-5A fighter, nicknamed the “Freedom Fighter”, designed for export to Norway!

[h3]From February 6th (11:00 GMT) until February 24th (11:00 GMT), earn mission points in Air Battles, unlock stages and receive rewards![/h3]

[h2]F-5A(G) — An Event Vehicle Jet Fighter for Sweden at Rank VII[/h2]
The F-5A(G) is a Royal Norwegian Air Force multi-role fighter jet. This modification is equipped with a new sighting system, all-aspect AIM-9L Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, and the Penguin guided anti-ship missile with a thermal imaging homing head, which will prove itself in battles against tanks. The F-5A(G) is the first Norwegian aircraft in War Thunder and also has a unique “tiger” camouflage!



Special camouflage

Among the rewards in the event is also this chest, where, when opened, brings the chance to receive one of the following items:

• 50,000 - 100,000 Silver Lions
  
• Silver Lion and Research Point boosters
  
• Random Wagers and Orders
  
• Universal Backups (1 - 3)
  
• A random camouflage for a vehicle you own
  
• 1 day of Premium Account
  

[h2]How to get all rewards[/h2]
Each stage is unlocked for 45,000 mission points and brings a new reward.

Please note: Once the stage is unlocked, you will need to claim your reward manually. To do this, click on your profile, select the Freedom Fighter category, and click Claim Prize.

You’re able to earn mission points in Air 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.

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.

[h3]Stages change every two days at 11:00 GMT: February 8th, 10th, 12th, 14th, 16th, 18th, 20th and 22nd.[/h3]

[h2]Rewards are given when you complete a specific number of stages[/h2]

• For 1 Stage: trophy with a random reward
  
• For 2 Stages: one of the decal rewards
  
• For 3 Stages: a silver chest “Snake Box”
  
• For 4 Stages: one of the decal rewards
  
• For 5 Stages: trophy with a random reward
  
• For 6 Stages: “Emblem of the 336th squadron” decal
  
• For 7 Stages: a silver chest “Snake Box”
  
• For 8 Stages: a non-tradable coupon for the F-5A(G)
  
• For 9 Stages: unique camouflage and four random modifications for the F-5A(G)
  

[h3]Discounts on purchasing stages using Golden Eagles[/h3]
Unfinished stages can be purchased for Golden Eagles, but if you’re significantly close to completing a stage, its price will now be significantly reduced.

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 for unlocking this stage will be 499 Golden Eagles. If you’ve scored 43,000 mission points, then you’ll only need to pay 199 Golden Eagles. Remember to keep this in mind if you cannot complete a stage on time!

[h3]The Upgrade for coupon [/h3]
When you complete 8 stages, you’ll receive a non-tradable coupon for the F-5A(G) where 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.

The “Upgrade for coupon” item can be earned in parallel with the stages throughout the event from February 6th (11:00 GMT ) until February 24th (11:00 GMT) for 750,000 mission points.

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 5 days from the moment it’s created.

The “Upgrade for coupon” item is valid until February 27th (11:00 GMT). Until this time, you can use it or exchange it for War Bonds. Afterwards, it’ll disappear from your inventory.

To make a tradable coupon, select the “Coupon F-5A(G) (Sweden)” in your inventory and click the “Modify” button.

You can track the progress of completing stages and receiving the “Upgrade for coupon” by clicking on your Nickname > Achievements > Freedom Fighter. If you don’t manage to complete a stage on time or would like to purchase a stage, until February 27th from the Achievements window, you can purchase each stage with Golden Eagles which will give you the corresponding rewards.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

2024 was an incredible year — we held several major Esports events that were high-intensity, with many teams taking part and coming out with success, victory and lots of emotion. Now it’s time to find out who will take home the Grand Champion title of 2024!

What better way to do this than to bring together the 8 best teams of the 2024 season and have them battle it out in a unique tournament featuring a variety of new game modes? Will the DODEC Team continue their success story with 3 major wins out of 4? That’s what we’ll find out in Thunder CUP 2025.

[hr][/hr]
[h2]All about the Thunder CUP 2025 tournament[/h2]
This year, we’ve decided to make the teams compete in a variety of formats that are representative of the Esports 2024 season.



Each team will consist of a roster of 8 players.

We’ll start with the first weekend in 4v4 tank format for our tank commanders.

During the second weekend we’ll feature a 4v4 jet format with 4-point maps that include the much sought-after “D” point.

During the last weekend, the final of this event will take place in a format most known and loved by Esports players, the 5v5 mixed format. Teams will clash on the beloved Advance to the Rhine map, which has been reworked to make gameplay truly epic!


[hr][/hr]
[h2]Check out the Qualifier Team Packs & Bundle![/h2]
[h3]To purchase, go to the Gaijin Store through the hangar > Shop > Online Store.[/h3]

From January 31st until February 28th, these packs dedicated to the 8 participating teams will be available in the store. Make sure to check them out!

[h2]Team DODEC Pack[/h2]

• Rafale C F3 DODEC Esports Team camouflage
  
• "DODEC Team Fan" title
  
• "DODEC Team" decal
  
• 300 Golden Eagles
  

[h2]Team Hide Pack[/h2]

• Su-27SM Hide Esports Team camouflage
  
• "Hide Team Fan" title
  
• "Hide Team" decal
  
• 300 Golden Eagles
  

[h2]Team Restart Pack[/h2]

• Leclerc AZUR Restart Esports Team camouflage
  
• "Restart Team Fan" title
  
• "Restart Team" decal
  
• 300 Golden Eagles
  

[h2]Team RAWR Pack[/h2]

• F-15E RAWR Esports Team camouflage
  
• "RAWR Team Fan" title
  
• "RAWR Team" decal
  
• 300 Golden Eagles
  

[h2]Team BIH Pack[/h2]

• ◄EF-2000 BIH Esports Team camouflage
  
• "BIH Team Fan" title
  
• "BIH Team" decal
  
• 300 Golden Eagles
  

[h2]Team AVReS Pack[/h2]

• F-2000A AVReS Esports Team camouflage
  
• "AVReS Team Fan" title
  
• "AVReS Team" decal
  
• 300 Golden Eagles
  

[h2]Team Leet Pack[/h2]

• Typhoon FGR.4 Leet Esports Team camouflage
  
• "Leet Team Fan" title
  
• "Leet Team" decal
  
• 300 Golden Eagles
  

[h2]Team LetsGo Pack[/h2]

• TKX LetsGo Esports Team camouflage
  
• "LetsGo Team Fan" title
  
• "LetsGo Team" decal
  
• 300 Golden Eagles
  

[h2]About the teams[/h2]
[expand]
[h3]Team DODEC[/h3]
Clearly the favorite team of the tournament, will they succeed in continuing their legendary rise and end up as the team that imposed their supremacy in 2024?
[h3]Team Hide[/h3]
Will the team that won the last Air Superiority tournament, shaking their opponents in the air, be able to do the same on the ground?
[h3]Team Restart[/h3]
Cocoricoo! The only full French-speaking team in the event, with ever-increasing results, this group of friends is aiming for greatness in this one!
[h3]Team RAWR[/h3]
A team accustomed to podium finishes and a complete, varied team that has every chance of making history!
[h3]Team BIH[/h3]
Finishing at the top level of all the air tournaments this year, this international team is made up of exceptional pilots who never give up. They’ve been training hard for Thunder CUP 2025!
[h3]Team AVReS[/h3]
With a roster made up of mainly the MRCLS Esports team, this season AVReS spiced up the competition with their unique style of play.
[h3]Team Leet[/h3]
One of today’s oldest Esports teams. Equipped with a new roster, Team Leet is back with vengeance and is ready to take on the world! Their goal? Victory!
[h3]Team LetsGo[/h3]
They impressed everyone in the Armored Apex Major tournament and did well in the Air Superiority Major tournament, let’s see what they’ve prepared for in Thunder CUP 2025.
[/expand]

[h2]Team pack bundle at -20%[/h2]

You can also buy a discounted bundle containing all the packs at -20%.
$23.92 $19.14

This bundle includes:

• Team DODEC Pack
  
• Team Hide Pack
  
• Team Restart Pack
  
• Team RAWR Pack
  
• Team BIH Pack
  
• Team AVReS Pack
  
• Team Leet Pack
  
• Team LetsGo Pack
  

[hr][/hr]
[h2]Match & Livestream Dates with Twitch Drops![/h2]
There will be a total of 9 days of events broadcast on multi-language Esports channels! Watch the tournament and claim your Twitch Drops on the official English, German, French and Russian and our new Polish War Thunder Esports channels!



[hr][/hr]

[h2]Watch Thunder CUP 2025 and receive through Twitch Drops:[/h2]

Login to your Twitch account → link your Gaijin account → click “Allow” to be able to receive Twitch Drops!

[h3]First weekend — January 31st from 17:00 GMT and February 1st-2nd from 15:00 GMT [/h3]

• 1 day of Premium
  
• 50% Silver Lion Booster
  
• 50% Research Point Booster
  
• “Thunder CUP” avatar frame
  
• Snake Box
  
• “Night Sword” camouflage for the PzH 2000
  

[h3]Second weekend — February 7th from 17:00 GMT and February 8th-9th from 15:00 GMT [/h3]

• 1 day of Premium
  
• 50% Silver Lion Booster
  
• 50% Research Point Booster
  
• “Team mountain” decal
  
• Snake Box
  
• “Tale of Fenrir” camouflage for the Rafale C F3
  

[h3]Third weekend — February 14th from 17:00 GMT and February 15th-16th from 15:00 GMT [/h3]

• 1 day of Premium
  
• 50% Silver Lion Booster
  
• 50% Research Point Booster
  
• “Unexploded Bomb” decoration
  [expand]
  
  [/expand]
  
• Snake Box
  
• “Nocturne” camouflage for the Yak-3U
  

[hr][/hr]

[h2]War Thunder Esports Discord Giveaway![/h2]
To keep up with all the happenings in the world of Esports in War Thunder, join our community on Discord! Starting today, we’ll be giving away premium bundles there:

• RDF/LT Pack
  
• AH-64D (Netherlands) Pack
  
• BMD-4M Pack
  
• PzH 2000 Pack
  
• Mirage F1C-200 Pack
  

In this month’s Pages of History, you’ll be at the center of events that took place in different theaters of war. The Philippines and Burma, the Strait of Dover and the Ruhr River: take part in battles with the vehicles corresponding to these historic battles and receive prizes. 

[h3]

From February 1st until February 28th, you’ll be offered 8 tasks consecutively. Completing each will reward you with a trophy, and completing all of them will earn you a unique player icon!

[/h3]


[h3]Douglas MacArthur[/h3]
Douglas MacArthur is among the most renowned American military generals. During World War I, he achieved the rank of Brigadier General, and in 1925 at just 44 years old, he became the youngest major general in the U.S. Army before serving as Army Chief of Staff. In World War II, MacArthur commanded U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, leading successful counteroffensives in Papua, New Guinea, and the Philippines. He later accepted Japan’s surrender and was appointed Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers.

You can immediately purchase this profile icon for Golden Eagles until March 3rd, 11:30 GMT without completing tasks. To find it, go to your Nickname → Achievements → Pages of History.

[h2]Trophy reward for each task[/h2]

Completing each individual task will give you a trophy with one of the following rewards:

• 20-50% RP booster for 3-10 battles;
  
• 20-50% SL booster for 3-10 battles;
  
• 3-5 universal backups;
  
• Premium account for 1 day;
  
• A random camouflage for ground vehicles (out of the selection of camouflages currently obtainable in game for completing tasks, or purchasing with Golden Eagles).
  

[h2]Other terms[/h2]

• Tasks are available from 11:00 GMT until 11:30 GMT on the final day of each task.
  
• Tasks can be completed in random battles except for “Assault” mode.
  

[h2]February 1st — February 4th[/h2]
[h3]Battle of Manila[/h3]
On February 3rd 1945, the largest urban battle of the Pacific theater began. U.S. troops led by General MacArthur began storming the capital of the Philippines. Within a month, the “Asian Stalingrad” was reduced to ruins, and the entire Japanese garrison in Manila was destroyed.

[h2]February 4th — February 7th[/h2]
[h3]Battle of the Admin Box[/h3]
In 1942, the Japanese army was able to occupy almost all of Burma, often bypassing British troops along routes that were considered impassable. The same thing happened to the 7th Division of the Indian Army on February 5th 1944. Surrounded by Japanese troops, they decided not to retreat but instead fortify their administrative area. For two and a half weeks, the defenders of the “Admin Box” managed to hold off the enemy advance, largely thanks to tanks that the Japanese had no means to counter. Both sides suffered heavy losses, but due to a shortage of food and ammunition, Japanese forces were forced to retreat.

[h2]February 8th — February 11th[/h2]
[h3]Lam Son 719[/h3]
On February 8th 1971, South Vietnamese forces, backed by the United States, invaded Laos to cut off supplies and troops from North Vietnam along the Ho Chi Minh Trail through Laos. The operation was named after the village of Lam Son, the birthplace of Vietnamese national hero Le Loi. The South Vietnamese army was unprepared for the large-scale operation. After suffering heavy losses, it withdrew from Laos in late March and the Ho Chi Minh Trail was reopened shortly after.

[h2]February 11th — February 14th[/h2]
[h3]Operation Cerberus[/h3]
The operation to redeploy battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen from Brest in western France to German ports was successfully carried out from February 11th to February 13th 1942. The operation took place without preparation to ensure Great Britain could not learn of the plans and bomb the ships before they sailed. The German fleet made a daring dash across the Strait of Dover and successfully fought off attacks from the Royal Air Force, inflicting significant losses.

[h2]February 15th — February 18th[/h2]
[h3]Narva offensive[/h3]
Narva, an Estonian city on the border with Russia, was of great strategic importance. By taking it, Soviet troops could advance to Tallinn and drive the Wehrmacht out of Estonia, freeing the Baltic Fleet and opening the possibility of an attack on Finland from the sea. Stalin ordered that Narva be taken by February 17th 1944 at all costs, but the offensive faltered and Germany continued to hold the city for another six months.

[h2]February 19th — February 22nd[/h2]
[h3]Battle of Kasserine Pass[/h3]
On February 19th 1943, American troops first engaged Axis forces in Tunisia. Due to their relative inexperience, they suffered a crushing defeat. Despite their numerical superiority, they retreated 80 km and lost about 10,000 soldiers and a thousand vehicles. As a result, the Battle of Tunisia dragged on for several more months.

[h2]February 22nd — February 25th[/h2]
[h3]Operation Grenade[/h3]
The Allied crossing of the Ruhr began on February 23rd 1945. A week earlier, as the Allies approached, the Germans had opened the floodgates on the dams upstream to hinder their advance. After crossing the Ruhr, the Allies routed the inferior Wehrmacht forces, capturing some 30,000 prisoners.

[h2]February 25th — February 28th[/h2]
[h3]Battle of Norfolk[/h3]
During the Gulf War, U.S. forces named a major Iraqi supply depot in the south of the country “Norfolk”. Nearby on February 27th 1991, the largest tank battle of the war — and the second largest in American history after the Battle of the Bulge — took place. U.S. and British forces destroyed more than a thousand Iraqi vehicles while suffering minimal losses. A ceasefire was agreed upon the following day.