War Thunder News

At the beginning of 1984, South Africa began development of a new attack helicopter to participate in the South African Border War. However, the Rooivalk prototype took to the skies for the first time on February 11th 1990 after the conflict ended. Improvements to the Rooivalk still continue, and a small number that were produced continue to serve to this day.


Available for 8,560 Golden Eagles!

[h3]

When: From February 9th (15:00 GMT).
Where: Great Britain > Helicopters > Premium vehicles.

[/h3]

[h3]About this helicopter[/h3]

• The Rooivalk is a survivable helicopter with good performance characteristics. It carries the formidable Mokopa air-to-ground missile that has a tandem warhead and the FZ49 HEAT rockets which can be fired accurately thanks to a ballistic computer. In addition to this, this helicopter can fire the Mistral air-to-air missile with an all-aspect IR seeker, which can lock targets at a distance of 6 km. In close air engagements or to fire at ground targets, a reliable 20 mm cannon can also be used!
  

Not all fighting in World War II took place at the front lines. Allied aircraft carried out risky missions over German territory in order to destroy factories that were producing enemy armored vehicles.

Much has been dedicated to the heroism of bomber pilots and the fighters covering them — and we want to honor them in our aircraft event too.

[h3]

When: February 9th (13:00 GMT) until February 12th (13:00 GMT) take part in the Guardian Angel event!

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This event takes place exclusively in Air Realistic Battles. The US team has bombers and escorts whose objective is to destroy targets and provide bomber cover. The German team must intercept these bombers and prevent them from destroying their targets!

• Vehicles available to the US team are: P-47D-22-RE, P-47D-25, P-47D-28, P-51D-5, P-51D-10, P-51D-20-NA, YP-38, XP-38G, P-38E, P-38G-1, B-17E/L, B-17G-60-VE..
  
• Vehicles available to the German team are: Bf 109 G-6, Bf 109 G-14, Bf 109 G-10, Bf 109 Z-1, Fw 190 A-5, Fw 190 A-5/U12, Fw 190 A-8, Fw 190 C, Fw 190 F-8, BV 155 B-1, Me 410 A-1/U2, Me 410 B-1/U2, Me 410 A-1/U4, Me 410 B-2/U4..
  

Want to participate? You can find the Guardian Angel event in Air Realistic Battles through the Events & Tournaments tab in-game.

The Lunar New Year, a time to set off fireworks and light street lamps, is coming! This is an important holiday that's celebrated by various East and Southeast Asian countries including China, Korea, Vietnam, and others.

We’re joining the celebrations in War Thunder as we’ve prepared some cool activities and an event for you. Have you wanted the Т-62 №545 or Type 69-IIa before? Here’s your chance to pick them up. There’s also the currently on-going Call of the Dragon event where you can earn the Object 292 and much more.

It’s time to celebrate the Year of the Dragon!


Get yourself this unique decal by completing the task below.

“Gold Dragon” decal

When: From February 9th (11:00 GMT) until February 12th (07:00 GMT).
Task: Play 3 battles using Chinese vehicles to receive the “Gold Dragon” decal!

Additional details:

• You must use a minimum of rank III.
  
• Your activity must not be below 70%.
  
• You can complete the task in random battles, except for Enduring Confrontation missions, [Assault] mode and Helicopter PVE battles.
  
• Track your progress in the hangar by clicking Nickname → Achievements → Holidays → Lunar New Year.
  
• You can find the decal in the “Holidays” tab in the Customisation menu.
  

Get yourself this cool tank that’s back for good.

When: From February 9th (11:00 GMT).
Where: China > Army > Premium vehicles.

[h3]About this tank[/h3]

• The T-69 II G is a modification of the Type 69 MBT used by the Bangladesh Army. This tank uses a wide range of shells that are good for all scenarios, one of which includes the DTB-1 time fuze shell that’s effective at shooting down helicopters. Thanks to its good ballistics and reload speed, the T-69 II G is perfect for the sniper role.
  

Pickup these tanks that are available until February 15th!

When: From February 9th (11:00 GMT) until February 15th (11:00 GMT).
Where: China > Army > Premium vehicles.

[h3]About these tanks[/h3]

• The Т-62 №545 is a Soviet tank that was captured by the PLA after the battle for Damansky Island. This tank features good mobility, good frontal armor and a powerful 115 mm gun that can fire HE, HEAT-FS and APFSDS rounds. A two-plane stabilizer also allows it to fire smoothly while on the move!
  
  
• The Type 69-IIa is another export version of the Type 69. This variant was developed specifically for the Iraqi Army and features additional protection and a 100 mm gun from the Type 59. Its Type 44 AP round is capable of dealing significant damage and is ideal for flanking and shooting enemies at the side. For longer distances, a handy Laser rangefinder is also featured on this tank.
  

When: From February 9th (11:00 GMT) until February 15th (11:00 GMT), there’s discounts on premium vehicles in the store!

Special Lunar New Year Bundles are temporarily available (several rare tanks included) and discounts for Chinese vehicle packs!

• Type 96A Prototype Pack -50%
  
• A-5C Pack -50%
  
• J-7D Pack -50%
  
• Chinese Starter Pack -50%
  

[h3]To purchase, go to the Gaijin Store through the hangar > Shop > Online Store.[/h3]

[h2]Lunar New Year Ground Bundle -50%[/h2]

Price: 165 82.49

• Type 69-IIA Pack
  
• Type 69-IIG Pack
  
• Т-62 Pack
  

[h2]Lunar New Year Air Bundle -50%[/h2]

Price: 125 62.49

• Shenyang F-5 Pack
  
• Tomahawk Pack
  
• Z-19E Pack
  

Note! The offer is valid for PC, Mac and Linux users only. PC, PlayStation and Xbox users will be able to purchase Т-62 №545, Type 69-IIA and Type 69-IIG tanks in the game using Golden Eagles.

When: From February 1st (11:00 GMT) until February 19th (11:00 GMT).

A Dragon is calling! This is the first event in our new cycle that’s now in full swing. By simply participating in Ground Battles, you can earn the Object 292 unique experimental tank and several other cool decals and decorations!

Check out the details of this event here

When: From February 1st (11:00 GMT) until February 28th (11:00 GMT).

The Dragon Box is purchasable from the in-game Item Shop for Silver Lions and contains vehicles and items from past events. No keys are needed, meaning you’re freely able to open as many as you want.

Check out the Dragon Box details here

After the Meiji Revolution and the restoration of the emperor’s power in Japan, it was decided to establish a national holiday to unite the country around the ruler. The occasion chosen for the celebration was the accession of Jimmu, the first emperor of Japan, which, according to legend, took place on the 1st day of the 1st month of the lunar year.

With the transition to the Gregorian calendar in 1873, it was decided to fix the holiday date to February 11th. This holiday was abolished in the post-war period, but later returned again in 1966 — no longer as a celebration of the emperor, but as a celebration of the founding of the country.

From February 8th (07:00 GMT) until February 13th (07:00 GMT).

• Type 16 (FPS) Pack
  
• F-4EJ Phantom II ADTW Pack
  
• IJN Yamashiro Pack
  
• Japanese Starter Pack
  

Don’t miss out on these vehicles while they’re available!

When: From February 8th (07:00 GMT) until February 13th (07:00 GMT).
Where: Japan > Bluewater fleet / Aviation > Premium vehicles.

[h3]About these vehicles[/h3]

• IJN Kiyoshimo is a Yugumo-class destroyer that saw action in the Pacific theater in 1944. It’s fast and maneuverable, and its 127 mm main guns have good ballistics. One specially good feature is its torpedoes, which are fast and extremely deadly, as well as its excellent air defense to help fend off enemy aircraft.
  
  
• The A6M5 Ko is a Japanese fighter with unsurpassed maneuverability in combat. It’s armed with good 20 mm cannons on the wings and 7.7 mm machine guns which have enough ammunition to deal good damage. Use the Zero’s agility to dodge enemy shots and get behind your opponents!
  

Pickup the Type 74 (G) that’s back for good!

When: February 8th (07:00 GMT).
Where: Japan > Army > Premium vehicles.

[h3]About this tank[/h3]

• The Type 74 (G) is the most modern modification of the Type 74 MBT that was developed in the 90s. This tank has decent mobility and is equipped with a thermal imager and hydraulic suspension that’s capable of adjusting the height of the hull. Its gun is accurate where the real star of its ammunition loadout is the Type 93 APFSDS round with armor penetration up to 405 mm — one of the best shells at this rank.
  

Get yourself this cool decal by completing the below task.

“Dancing Cranes” decal

When: From February 8th (07:00 GMT) until February 13th (07:00 GMT).
Task: Play 3 battles using Japanese vehicles to receive the “Dancing Cranes” decal!

Additional details:

• You must use a minimum of rank III.
  
• Your activity must not be below 70%.
  
• You can complete the task in random battles, except for Enduring Confrontation missions, [Assault] mode and Helicopter PVE battles.
  
• Track your progress in the hangar by clicking Nickname → Achievements → Holidays → Founding Day of the State in Japan.
  
• You can find the decal in the “Holidays” tab in the Customisation menu.
  

[h2]Ground Vehicles[/h2]

• T-90M — a bug that led to the disappearance of ammunition in the hull when ammunition in the turret burned out has been fixed.
  

[h2]Aircraft[/h2]

• A bug where looking through targeting optics, such as target designation pods, enemy markers could be detected at distances exceeding the enemy marker detection capabilities and crew skills has been fixed.
  

[h2]Sounds[/h2]

• The engine sounds of enemy and allied ground vehicles have become slightly louder and more noticeable (the hearing distance has not been changed). Tracks have become slightly more noticeable with distance.
  
• The BMD-4, 2S25 and 2S25M have received their own, more suitable engine sounds.
  
• The Tiger, Tiger II and other tanks with the same engine have received an updated sound that better reflect power and speed.
  
• The Pantsir-S1 has received an updated engine sound that better reflects the dynamics and operating modes.
  
• The volume balance of the Abrams turbine howl and compressor fan for the player has been changed so that they are less annoying.
  
• An ATGM fired from the barrel of a tank has a new and more realistic sound.
  
• Firefighting sounds for ground and naval vehicles have been made more noticeable.
  
• Wind sound now depends on its current speed on a map. The singing of birds has become more noticeable. Previously, if a shot was fired within a radius of 500 m by a player, birds would fall silent for 60 seconds. Now, the radius has been reduced to 100 m and the resumption time to 10 seconds.
  

[h2]Other changes[/h2]

• The level of the War Bond shop will now increase even if the player does not claim the level reward in the Battle pass reward row.
  

The current provided changelog reflects the major changes within the game as part of this Update. Some updates, additions and fixes may not be listed in the provided notes. War Thunder is constantly improving and specific fixes may be implemented without the client being updated.