War Thunder News

August 23rd, 1943 marked the end of the Battle of Kursk — the largest tank battle in history, with around 3000 tanks from the German side and over 5000 tanks from the Soviet side. It was the first time a German offensive on the Eastern Front failed with no significant gains. The decisive victory of the Red Army led to it gaining a strategic initiative and defined the way the rest of the war was fought.

[h2]“Vehicles of Victory: SU-152” decal and “Molotov cocktail” decoration[/h2]

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From August 23rd (12:00 GMT) until August 25th (12:00 GMT)

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Play 3 battles using USSR ground vehicles (rank III or higher, with an activity of not less than 70%) to receive the “Vehicles of Victory: SU-152” decal. Winning 5 battles under the same terms will earn you a “Molotov cocktail” decoration.

“Molotov cocktail” decoration

“Vehicles of Victory: SU-152” decal

Complete the task in random battles, except for Enduring Confrontation missions and [Assault] mode. Track your progress in the hangar by clicking Nickname → Achievements → Holidays → 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Battle of Kursk.

You can find the decal in the “Holidays” tab in the Customisation menu, and the decoration in the “Other” tab.

• The hit camera for recently respawned enemies that are in a state of temporary invulnerability has been returned.
  
• We’ve made changes to the rotation of missions of Ground Arcade and Realistic Battles:
  
  • Breslau (all missions) — A session’s minimum BR has been increased from 2.7 to 5.7.
    
  • Mozdok — We’ve temporarily disabled all missions except for [Domination #1] Mozdok, so that we can assess map preference data for this specific mission. The decision to change the rotation of the mission on Mozdok will be made after we’ve collected and studied statistics.
    
• We’ve also made changes to the rotation of missions in Ground Realistic Battles:
  
  • European Province (all missions) — A session’s minimum BR has been increased from 4.0 to 5.7.
    
  • [Domination #1] Pradesh — A session’s minimum BR has been increased from 6.3 to 6.7.
    
  • [Domination #2] Maginot, [Battle #2] Maginot, [Domination #2] Vietnam, [Battle #2] Vietnam, [Domination #2] Gold Quarry and [Battle #2] Gold Pit — A session’s minimum BR has been reduced from 7.3 to 6.7.
    

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.

The Pvkv IV is the final design of a series of experimental Swedish tank destroyers, developed in the postwar period in an effort to equip the armed forces with modern fighting vehicles. Soon, the Pvkv IV will reinforce the early ranks of the Swedish ground forces tree with its arrival as part of the next major War Thunder update!

Briefly: A prototype Swedish tank destroyer based on the Strv m/40L chassis, fitted with a powerful 57mm anti-tank cannon.

[h2]Pvkv IV, tank destroyer, Sweden, Rank III[/h2]

Features:

• Punchy 57 mm cannon
  
• Good mobility
  
• Light protection
  
• Low turret traverse rate
  

In War Thunder, the Pvkv IV will complete the family of Swedish postwar experimental tank destroyers which began with the introduction of the Pvkv II in a previous update. Compared to its close relatives, the Pvkv IV brings with it some interesting differences which we’re keen to discuss with you in today’s devblog.



The most notable feature differentiating the Pvkv IV from its related designs is the fact that the vehicle is fitted with a fully enclosed fighting compartment, offering a higher degree of protection from enemy fire and shrapnel when compared to the familiar Pvkv II and III. Furthermore, the Pvkv IV is armed with the 57 mm Pvkan m/43, which tankers may be familiar with from the Pvkv III. Featuring overall good ballistic properties, the m/43 cannon is capable of punching through the armor of hostile vehicles at most common engagement distances at this rank. In contrast to the Pvkv III, the cannon of the Pvkv IV has a lengthier reload time caused by the cramped ergonomics of the turret which aspiring commanders of this vehicle ought to take into account before committing to intense brawls.



Having already mentioned the vehicle’s new turret as an improvement over the open fighting compartments on the other Pvkv’s, the Pvkv IV’s overall protection is comparable to the vehicle it’s based on - the Strv m/40L. However, as this is a light tank, commanders shouldn’t expect incredible levels of protection. In fact, the Pvkv IV’s hull can withstand machine gun and autocannon fire, but its relatively large turret is only protected by 13 mm of armored plating, thus making it very vulnerable to incoming enemy fire.



On the other hand, being a light tank ensures that the Pvkv IV possesses decent mobility, regardless of the terrain type. Being powered by a 142 hp gasoline engine, the Pvkv IV can reach a comfortable speed of 45 km/h under ideal conditions while its respectable power-to-weight ratio ensures quick acceleration and good mobility in off-road conditions.

Meet the Pvkv IV as it arrives at the medium ranks of the Swedish ground forces tree as part of the next major War Thunder update. In the meantime, be sure to stay tuned to the news as we continue to keep you posted on all the latest developments surrounding the upcoming update. Until then, happy hunting tankers!

Development of the MiG-15 jet fighter lasted throughout the entirety of 1947, while over half of 1948 was spent testing it. On August 23rd, 1948, two days before the official end of the tests, the MiG-15 officially entered service with the USSR Air Force. It prevailed against its competitor, the La-15, and became the most produced military jet aircraft in history.

[h2]MiG-15bis ISh temporarily for Golden Eagles[/h2]



[h2]

From August 22nd (10:00 GMT) until August 29th (10:00 GMT)

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To commemorate the anniversary, from August 23rd (10:00 GMT) until August 29th (10:00 GMT) the MiG-15bis ISh jet fighter, located in the USSR research tree, will be available to purchase for Golden Eagles. This aircraft is an experimental version of MiG-15bis, which, in turn, was an improvement over the original. The MiG-15bis ISh can quickly gain an impressive speed and is very good at climbing. Its main armament can shred enemy bombers to pieces, while ground targets can be disposed of by its wide assortment of bombs and rockets.

Eastern exotics in War Thunder! Meet the MBT-2000 main battle tank designed in collaboration with China and Pakistan.

[h2]MBT-2000, MBT, China, rank VII[/h2]

Features:

• Good protection
  
• Thermal vision
  
• Autoloader
  

The MBT-2000 main battle tank will strengthen the already formidable Chinese lineup, and in the research tree, will be placed within the light tank line. Let's take a look at the details of this interesting Chinese-Pakistani tank that will be waiting for you with the release of the upcoming major update!



The MBT-2000 is based on the experimental Type 90-IIM tank, which in turn is an upgraded Soviet T-72 of the early production series. Hence the familiar layout, three members crew, an automatic loader and a 125 mm smoothbore gun. The MBT-2000 widely used domestic developments of China and Pakistan, as well as technologies from other countries. The tank received complex armor using both traditional homogeneous armor and more advanced protection means, such as NERA composite and FY-2 and FY-4 ERA protection, which, compared to the Soviet ancestor, significantly increased the tank's protection from both kinetic and shaped charge projectiles.



The 125-mm ZPT-98 gun, controlled by a modern FCS with a laser rangefinder and a gunner's thermal imager, has automatic feed from a large automated ammunition rack and has a range of available ammunition. Two types of kinetic APFSDS shells, two types of high-explosive fragmentation rounds (conventional and variable time fuze), as well as HEAT rounds.

The MBT-2000 received an automatic transmission from Leclerc tanks and a new 1,200 HP engine, granting the tank with perfect mobility. The maximum speed of the tank reaches almost 70 km/h, quite good for an MBT!

The MBT-2000 and other great new vehicles will be waiting for you in the next big War Thunder update, don't miss our devblogs to be the first to see the news!