War Thunder News

[p][/p][p][/p][p]Hey everyone! Welcome to the first Community Update of 2026, where we’re going to be talking about what’s coming as well as some other bits and bobs. So sit back, grab your favourite snack and read on![/p][p][/p][p] [/p][h2]Free Decal code![/h2][p][/p][p]We love giving out free decals! We’ve made this specifically for this news post, you can place it on your aircraft (or tanks!) to alert other players of your skills!
[/p][p]Simply enter code STUDENTPILOT here![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Once you’ve logged in, the decal can be found under:[/p]

• [p]“Student Pilot” decal: Decals > Special > Other[/p]

[p][/p][p]The decal code will remain active from the publish date of this news until March 2nd (10:00 GMT).[/p][p][/p][h2]New Community Update Pack![/h2][p][/p][p]We’ve created a new Community Update pack featuring an avatar, decal, title and some GE. Check it out![/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]11th Crew Slot Changes[/h2][p][/p][p]War Thunder has 10 crew slots, with an 11th being available to obtain for inviting 10 friends who each unlock at least one rank III vehicle. This was quite difficult to do however, so we’re going to be lifting this restriction. The 11th crew slot will be purchasable for Golden Eagles instead and will not be obtainable via the referral system anymore. If you already got the 11th slot, congratulations, you already won the game having so many great friends![/p][p][/p][h2]New Crew Skill Window[/h2][p][/p][p]The crew skill window has been the same for years, and during that time it hasn’t changed much, making some important information hard to understand and localize. It’s showing its age now, so it’s time to improve it! We’re going to be updating this window with a more visual approach, showing the crew members and their location within the vehicle. Crew skills don’t only affect crew members, but also some other vehicle elements. These will all be highlighted (for example, the driver’s skills conditionally improve the engine and transmission, and all of them will be highlighted). This makes each part easier to understand, with more visual appeal too![/p][p][/p][h2]Naval Additions[/h2][p][/p][h3]Torpedo Lines On The Mini-Map[/h3][p]Torpedoes are a useful way to hit enemy ships that are far away. However after launching them, players often completely forget about them and have no idea of their whereabouts and if they are actually close to hitting an enemy ship. In the next major, your mini-map will show a dotted line where your torpedo has travelled, allowing you to know its whereabouts. Only your own, launched torpedoes will be shown, allied and enemy torpedoes will not be.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Hit Icons[/h3][p]We recently added hit icons to naval to indicate what parts of the ship were hit, and whether the impact penetrated or caused damage. We received some feedback that crew icons should also be added, so you know when you hit the crew. We’ll be adding a new icon that will pop up when you incapacitate crew, the icon will give you the exact number of crew you’ve taken out, so you’ll have an even better idea of how effective your hits are![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]New Display of crew[/h3][p]The current way of displaying the number of crew in ships is complicated and not especially clear. We’ve redesigned this, with the new interface showing the crew situation of your ship more efficiently (the total number, minimum number). The crew percentage has been removed and the actual number is shown. This means there will be no situations when the number of crew members displays less than 100% at the start of the battle.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Continuing on[/h3][h2]Cockpits[/h2][p][/p][p]We’re continuing to work on new, highly detailed cockpits for existing vehicles that have placeholders. Today we’d like to show you the Ka-29 (that we mentioned a while ago) and AH-56 Cheyenne, who are receiving these new cockpits! The B-24 will also receive a highly detailed cockpit too.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]Vehicles[/h2][p]As always, we’re preparing bunch of vehicles that will be coming in the major update. The aircraft portion will be a little lighter than normal, however there will be something for everyone to enjoy. From more long awaited Hungarian aircraft to modern jets, you’ll be able to enjoy them.[/p][p][/p][p]For ground vehicles, you can expect a unique self-propelled howitzer, some light IFVs and some other interesting vehicles.[/p][p][/p][p]Coming on to naval, we have various interesting vessels planned, with the majority of the additions being destroyers this time around.[/p][p][/p][h3]Updates to existing jet aircraft[/h3][p][/p][p]Many of you have asked or made reports regarding the J-10C engine and its current configuration in game. We wanted to clarify that it is within our plans to change the engine to the later domestic WS-10 model, however this also requires the visual model to be updated. So you can expect to see it in the future, stay tuned.[/p][p][/p][p]You can also expect to see the PL-12A missile added for the J-10C. This missile will have a longer range over the standard PL-12 and feature GNSS. Providing a boost to the available options for the Vigorous Dragon.[/p][p][/p][p]Also coming for American aviation will be the AIM-120D, which will provide the USA with a needed boost over the current AIM-120C-5. This missile will feature on a new aircraft variant coming next update. But you will have to stay tuned to find out what![/p][p][/p][h2]White Rock Fortress returns with visual improvements![/h2][p]The map, the myth, the legend. White Rock Fortress was taken out of the map pool 4 years ago and many players have been asking since if we’re bringing it back. It’s time to say that it’s returning to War Thunder in the next major! The map has been visually overhauled to fit 2026 standards and some areas have been reworked to improve gameplay, but it has still retained its features that we know and love! More information will be available in the dedicated dev blog and you’ll be able to test it in an upcoming dev server. Here’s a screenshot![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]The fortress in the North Baltic region in the early spring.[/p][p][/p][h2]Next Event[/h2][p]The current aircraft event for the Dutch F-16A is starting this week! We don’t want to get too ahead of ourselves, but would like to talk about what’s next. We’ll be having a naval event for a US battleship afterwards, set to start in March. Running in parallel with the naval event will be our annual football event, with both running until just before April.[/p][p][/p][h2]War Thunder - Community Update Pack[/h2][p][/p][p]Don’t forget about the first Community Update pack, which is still available for purchase! It is also available for purchase on PlayStation and Xbox, so make sure to pick it up if you haven’t already![/p][p][/p][p] [/p][h3]That’s all![/h3][p]Thanks for giving this Community Update a read, we hope it gives you some things to look forward to in the next update, see you soon![/p][p][/p][p]The War Thunder Team[/p]

[p][/p][p]The maiden flight of the light twin-engine Bo 105 helicopter took place on February 16th 1967 at the Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm airfield in Ottobrunn near Munich. The prototype took to the air with a new hingeless four-blade hub and composite blades, the key innovation of the project. The Bo 105 became the first production helicopter with a rigid rotor and one of the first light twin-engine helicopters. Its design guaranteed reliability and durability, and thanks to it, the Bo 105 could perform aerobatic maneuvers and found wide application in both military and civilian service. [/p][p][/p][h2]The BO 105 CB-2 is temporarily available at a 30% discount for 5,992 Golden Eagles![/h2][p][/p]

• [p]This offer is only available during the promotional period.[/p]

[h3][/h3]

[p]When: From February 16th (10:00 GMT) until February 19th (10:00 GMT).[/p][p]Where: Germany > Helicopter > Premium vehicles.[/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][carousel][/carousel][h3]About this helicopter[/h3]

• [p]The BO 105 CB-2 is an experimental version of the Bo 105, developed for the Swedish Army’s anti-tank helicopter competition. This version features improved optics and the American BGM-71 TOW anti-tank guided missile system. Use the helicopter’s maneuverability and compact size to evade threats and launch sudden, precise strikes against enemy armored vehicles![/p]

We enjoyed looking through all of your screenshots from last week! This time, we’re highlighting the largest and heaviest machines found in battles. Whether it’s heavily armored ground vehicles, massive bombers, or imposing warships, take a screenshot that captures the size and presence of the behemoths! The three most popular and three selected by us will get 300 GE. See the winners down below!

[h2]Let’s begin the 211th edition of our competition![/h2]

Create a stunning screenshot and submit it on the War Thunder Steam Community Hub with the tag #WTscreen211. You have time until the 20th 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 include a heavy tank, an aircraft with two or more engines, or a bluewater fleet vehicle.
You must add the #WTscreen211 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 210th edition – Tailored for Combat![/h2]

[h3]Winners selected via community votes:[/h3]
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3661725664
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3662119343
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3661559749

[h3]Winners selected by our judges:[/h3]
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3661537190
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3661667083
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3663974496

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

[p][/p][h3]Aircraft[/h3]

• [p]Mosquito F.Mk.II — a bug that caused the aircraft to turn too far to the left during takeoff has been fixed. (Report).[/p]
• [p]Buccaneer (all variants), Javelin F.(A.W.) Mk.9 — the 3rd person camera view has been moved higher for improved visibility.[/p]
• [p]A bug that sometimes caused previously disabled instructor options to be enabled after updating the game has been fixed. (Report, Report, Report).[/p]

[p] [/p][h3]Locations and Missions[/h3]

• [p]\[Battle #2] Seversk-13 — a bug where sometimes players would spawn outside the playable area at the western spawn point of the northern team has been fixed. (Report).[/p]
• [p]\[Domination] Fiji — a bug that caused the ships of the southern team to sometimes spawn outside of the battle area has been fixed. (Report).[/p]

[p] [/p][h3]Graphics[/h3]

• [p]A bug where ray-traced shadows were too dark has been fixed.[/p]
• [p]A bug where lighting would not render in the premium hangar 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]

[p][/p][p]The Year of the Horse is approaching, and to celebrate, we’re offering you a true workhorse of Western air forces: the ever-popular F-16A fighter in its Dutch configuration. And along with it, the emblems of two Royal Netherlands Air Force squadrons flying the F-16A. 322 Squadron traces its history back to the Second World War, when it flew with the Royal Air Force. In the 1980s, both squadrons received their F-16As and remain loyal to them to this day![/p][p][/p]

[p]From February 19th (11:00 GMT) until March 9th (11:00 GMT), earn mission points in Air Battles, unlock stages and receive rewards![/p]

[p][/p][h2]F-16A — An Event Vehicle Dutch Jet Fighter for France at Rank VIII[/h2][p][/p][p][/p][p]The F-16A Block 5 is an early variant of the renowned American jet fighter, produced in the Netherlands, among other countries. It is a fast, maneuverable aircraft with an excellent rate of climb. The Dutch F-16A is armed with a 20 mm Vulcan cannon and guided missiles for close-range air-to-air combat. For anti-ground engagements, it can carry both unguided ordnance and AGM-65B Maverick air-to-ground missiles.[/p][p][/p][p][/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 Point boosters[/p]
• [p]Random Wagers and Orders[/p]
• [p]Universal Backups (1 - 3)[/p]
• [p]A random 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 “Workhorse” and click the “Get Reward” button.[/p]

[p][/p][p]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. [/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 February 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th and March 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: “Horseshoe Pouch” silver chest[/p]
• [p]For 4 Stages: one of the decal rewards[/p]
• [p]For 5 Stages: trophy with a random reward[/p]
• [p]For 6 Stages: “Horseshoe Pouch” silver chest[/p]
• [p]For 7 Stages: F-16A loading screen[/p]
• [p]For 8 Stages: non-tradable coupon for the F-16A[/p]
• [p]For 9 Stages: a unique camouflage and 4 random modifications for the F-16A[/p]

[p]Unique camouflage for the F-16A[/p][p][/p]

[p]Please note: You can only receive the modifications if the F-16A 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]The Coupon Upgrade[/h2][p]When you complete 8 stages, you’ll receive a non-tradable coupon for the F-16A, 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 February 19th (11:00 GMT) until March 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 March 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 F-16A (France)” 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 > Workhorse. 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 March 13th from the Achievements window, which will give you the corresponding rewards.[/p]