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.
J-15T - very low CM count, but overall a decent loadout and radar. Objectively worse than the Su-30SM2 in numerous metrics as well, and its placement must reflect that.
15.3 - The next best planes that are distinctly worse than 15.7s
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.
F/A-18F - Same as the E.
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.
F-16C PoBIT - Upgrade over the previous F-16Cs, but nothing about it is good enough to be higher until loadout changes are made.
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.
JAS39D - Marginally worse than the Cs AFAIK, but I doubt it’s on par with the 14.3s.
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.
Mig-29M (9-15) - Decent loadout, but it’s lacking in both flight performance and CM count. It could go higher if needed.
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-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.
Kfir C.10 Excellent flight performance and avionics, and it’s only held back by a limited loadout.
13.3 - Most of the current 13.0s
F-15A/J/Baz - Good Radar/RWR, and flight performance, but it lacks TWS. This could easily be too low for them too.
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
Edit 28/03/2026:
Updated to the ninth wave update.
Added F-16C PoBIT, Mig-29M (9-15) (other Mig-29s remain unchanged as they are already accounted for), F/A-18F, J-15T, and the JAS39D.
Changed BRs of the F-15A and company to be 13.3.
Moved Kfir C.10 to 13.7.