This is mostly copied from a response I made in the general BR balance thread, but I think this deserves to be a separate post.
To start things off, I will be proposing 2 aircraft loadout changes (those being that the F-14A should get Aim-9Ls, and the F-14B should get Aim-9Ms), and a BR suggestion for an R-27R/R-73 equipped Mig-29. I will also include a few of planes from the spearhead dev server, and apologies if I forget or misplace an aircraft, feel free to correct me.
16.3
SU-30SM2 - A considerable upgrade over the normal SM, and IMO it would make it better than the EFTs because of it’s higher missile count and better radar.
Rafale (all) - The difference in flight performance between the 2 Rafales is not enough to justify a different BR at the moment, and they will still remain the best vehicles we have in WT until other missiles are buffed.
16.0
EFT (AESA) - They are an upgraded versions of the previous models, and they deserve a higher BR.
15.7 - Next from top
Eurofighters, Su-30SM/Su-30MKM - These two planes are the next best in the game, and they are a step above something like the F-15E.
F-15C Golden Eagle - Features an AESA radar, 12 Aim-120s, and BOL, making this a better plane than the F-15E/I.
JAS39E - limited loadout compared to 16.0 planes, but it’s radar/flight performance keep this from being any lower.
15.3 - The next best planes that are distinctly worse than 15.3s
F-15E/I - F-15s should be there because of their distinct advantages over the lower BR counterparts, while also not being good enough for a higher BR.
Mirage 2K 5-Fs - Because of the MICA and solid flight performance.
F/A-18E - I think this is an upgrade over the normal F/A-18s, and it should be placed slightly higher.
J-10C (early with AL-31) - An upgrade over the J-10A, but it’s lack of engine power and high drag prevents this from being any higher IMO.
15.0 - The best of the current 13.7s
F-15C/F-15J - These could be a side grade to the F-15E, but they should be a lower BR based on the GEs BR
J-11B - This is the second best Flanker, and I’m not sure why it’s still at 13.7 in game. It has better missiles and better flight performance than the Su-27SM, and a higher missile count than the F-16s
J-10A - In my experience this is roughly on par with the J-11B, but it also could be 14.7.
Su-27SM - Equal to the J-11B, and it’s weak ARH missiles will keep it from going any higher.
The 14.0 F-18C Lates, and the F/A-18D Late, excluding the Finnish non MLU one - They have 10 Aim-120s and acceptable flight performance. I don’t think they would be good enough for a BR higher than this.
F-16I Sufa - I am unsure if this should be 15.0, or 14.7, but I’m leaning towards 15.0 because of the increased engine power over the F-16Cs.
14.7 - The rest of the current 13.7s
Finnish F-18C - The worst F-18C, and it deserves a lower BR.
F-16AM, OCU, C, Barak II - These are all better than the planes below the, but they will be outclassed any higher.
F-2A (?) - Great flight performance, radar, as well as a decent loadout, but its lack of HMS will keep it from going any higher
Gripen Cs (excluding the South African one) - Excellent flight performance, incredible CM count, but they are lacking a larger missile loadout.
14.3 - The best 13.3s and worst 13.7s
Su-34 - It’s a heavier Su-27 with a better loadout, but it’s lack of HMS and flight performance keep it from going higher.
JAS39C (South Africa) - R-Darters are worse than Aim-120s, so this plane deserves a lower BR.
JF-17 (?) - This could either be 14.0 or 14.3, but I do find it to be a very competitive plane despite its flaws, so it will go here.
F-16D - This is in between the other F-16Cs and F-16A ADF and its counterparts.
Su-30MK2/Su-30MKK - These are worse than the Su-27SM, but better than the J-11A.
14.0 - The rest of the 13.3s
J-11A - Worse than the Su-34, but it will be too powerful any lower
F-16A ADF/F-16A MLU - Worse than the F-16D, but better than the planes below it.
Mig-29SMT - A weak airframe, and weak loadout puts this here, below planes like the JF-17 or Su-34, but better than the gen 3 ARH carriers
Mig-29N - For the same reason as the Mig-29SMT. It has better flight performance, but a slightly worse radar.
13.7 - The best of the current 13.0s
F-15A/J/Baz - Good Radar/RWR, and flight performance.
F-2A ADTW - Good Radar/RWR, and flight performance as well as access to IRCCM puts this on par with the F-15s and Flankers.
J11/Su-27 - Great SARH missiles, great IRCCM missiles, but the poor RWR and lack of ARH keep them from being higher.
Su-33 - Better RWR, more missiles, but worse flight performance than the other Flankers.
J-8F - Gen 3 ARH carrier with IRCCM missiles, with good flight performance and HMS.
Tornado F.3 Late - Gen 3 ARH carrier with IRCCM missiles, and a great CM count and decent loadout.
F-4F KWS - Gen 3 ARH carrier with IRCCM missiles. I don’t see how the other ARH carriers along side this are any better or worse, so they will all be the same BR.
13.3 - Most of the current 13.0s
Kfir C.10 - Worse than the other ARH carriers because of a low missile count, and no IRCCM. This could also go higher if needed.
JA37DI - No IRCCM missiles and a poor RWR put this below the 13.7 Gen 3s.
F-5TH - Poor loadout, and a relatively slow top speed for this BR.
F-14B - With Aim-9Ms this plane will become more competitive, but distinctly worse than the F-15As.
F-14 IRAF - It has Fakours.
AV-8B Plus - These are better than the Sea harrier FA2, and deserve a higher BR
JAS39A - High CM count, great flight performance, but a lack of a good SARH missile keeps this from going higher.
F-16A (Belgium) - Better than the Squadron F-16 below it.
Mig-29G - Similar situation as the Gripen and F-16, but it loses flight performance/RWR to gain 2 very good SARH missiles.
Mirage 4000 - 8 Magic 2s + a high CM count would put this at least on par with other planes at this BR.
13.0 - Worst of the current 13.0s, and the best 12.7s
Sea Harrier FA 2 - Worst 13.0, and it would be 12.7 if that didn’t mean it would face 11.7s.
F-16A OCU - Worse than the F-16A above it, this plane should go here.
Mig-29 (R-73+R-27R) Worse than the Mig-29G, but they would be better than the current 12.7 Mig-29s.
For aircraft below here:
F-14A gains 9Ls and stays at 12.7
The F-18s at 12.7 may move up to 13.0, but I can not be certain, because I have not played them. They may also need a loadout buff to do so.
Please forgive any mistakes/missed planes, or made a bad argument, and feel free to correct me, or suggest changes.
Also mods, please don’t lock this because I want to create an actual discussion on how to properly decompress rank 8, and to show that it can be easily done.
Edit 16/12/2025:
-Added the F/A-18E AESA EFTs, Su-30SM2, Mig-29N, Su-30MKM, F/A-18D Late, Su-30MKK, J-10C (current “early” model without WS-10B), Rafale M F3-R, and the JAS39E.
-Added 16.3 as the new top BR.
-Moved Su-30MK2 to 14.3.
-Moved F-15C GE to 15.7