Hello Gaijin Developers and Community,
I am writing to request a Battle Rating (BR) review for the Israeli Kfir C.2 and Kfir C.7 currently placed at Air RB 11.7 and 12.0 respectively.
Based on extensive gameplay data, matchmaking analysis, and performance comparison with contemporaries, these aircraft are significantly disadvantaged at their current BRs. I propose adjusting their Air RB BRs as follows:
- Primary Request: Kfir C.2: 11.7 → 11.3 | Kfir C.7: 12.0 → 11.7
- Personal Hope / Alternative: Kfir C.2: 11.7 → 11.0 | Kfir C.7: 12.0 → 11.3
1. Matchmaking Reality: The Uptier Problem
The current matchmaking system allows the Kfir C.7 at 12.0 Air RB to frequently face opponents at 12.3, 12.7, and 13.0 . This creates an insurmountable gap because the Kfir’s avionics and missile suite are fundamentally outclassed by radar-guided platforms.
Dominant 13.0 Air RB Opponents: These aircraft completely outclass the Kfir C.7 in every metric (radar, missiles, situational awareness):
- Kfir C.10 (Israel): Same airframe but equipped with 4× Derby active radar missiles, full radar suite, and HMD. It can engage the C.7 from beyond visual range with no counterplay.
- Su-33 (USSR): Equipped with R-27ER (50km SARH), R-27ET (IR), and R-73 (high-off-boresight). Has radar, IRST, and HMD.
- Mirage 4000 (France): Equipped with Super 530D (40km SARH) and Magic 2 (all-aspect IR). Has powerful radar and excellent energy retention.
- Su-27 (USSR): Equipped with R-27ER/ET and R-73. Superior sustained turn rate and high energy retention.
- F-14B (USA): Equipped with AIM-54A Fox-3 (100km active), AIM-7M, and AIM-9M. Powerful radar and 2-crew coordination.
- F-16A ADF (USA): Equipped with AIM-120A active radar missiles, radar, and HMD. Superior acceleration.
Challenging 12.7 Air RB Opponents: Even at 12.7, the Kfir C.7 struggles against radar-equipped fighters:
- F-15A (USA): AIM-7M SARH + AIM-9M + radar. Better energy retention and BVR capability.
- MiG-29 9-12 (USSR): R-27R + R-73 + radar. High instantaneous turn rate and HMD.
- Mirage 2000C (France): Super 530D + Magic 2 + radar. Excellent climb rate and BVR capability.
Challenging 12.3 Air RB Opponents:
- F/A-18C (USA): AIM-7M + AIM-120A + radar. Multi-role flexibility.
- F-16A ADF (USA): Often appears in 12.3-12.7 matches. AIM-120A is a decisive advantage against IR-only fighters.
2. Clarification: Avionics on Kfir C.2/C.7
I want to clarify a common misconception: The Kfir C.2/C.7 DO have a ranging radar and RWR in-game.
However, their functionality is extremely limited:
- Ranging Radar (ELTA EL/M-2001B): • Only provides target range data, no search or track-while-scan capability. • Cannot cue missiles beyond visual range; pilot must visually acquire target first. • No ground mapping or navigation modes. • Essentially a “digital rangefinder” rather than a combat radar.
- RWR (ELTA EL/L-8222): • Provides basic radar lock warnings but lacks detailed threat identification. • Limited azimuth coverage compared to modern RWR systems. • Cannot distinguish between SARH illumination and ARH missile terminal guidance. • Often triggers too late for effective countermeasures against high-speed missiles.
The Core Issue: Having a ranging radar and basic RWR does not compensate for the lack of:
- Search radar for early detection
- Radar-guided missiles for BVR engagement
- Advanced IRCCM on Python 3 for missile survivability
The Kfir must still close to <5km for Python 3 to be effective, while opponents can engage from 30-50km+ with radar-guided missiles.
3. Core Disadvantages of Kfir C.7 at 12.0+
- No Search Radar: Cannot detect enemies beyond visual range. Must rely on wingmates or ground radar (often unavailable in Air RB).
- No BVR Weapons: Python 3 is IR-only with no IRCCM. Effective range is limited to <15km and highly vulnerable to flares.
- Limited RWR Utility: Basic warnings do not provide enough time to counter advanced SARH/ARH missiles.
- High Uptier Frequency: Approximately 40-60% of matches include 12.7-13.0 opponents. Win rate against 13.0 aircraft is statistically negligible.
4. Kfir C.2 at 11.7: Same Issues, Lower BR
The Kfir C.2 shares the same limitations as the C.7 but at 11.7 Air RB:
- Same Python 3 missiles (2× vs C.7’s 4×).
- Same limited ranging radar and basic RWR.
- Frequently uptiers to 12.0-12.3, facing F-16A, F/A-18A, MiG-29 9-12.
Proposal: Lower C.2 to 11.3 Air RB to align with other IR-focused fighters and reduce uptier pressure.
5. Historical & Technical Context
- Kfir C.2/C.7 Strengths: Excellent acceleration and climb rate (J79 engine). High instantaneous turn rate at medium speeds. Python 3 has high maneuverability for an early IR missile.
- Avionics Reality: The ranging radar and basic RWR were adequate for 1980s combat against 3rd-gen fighters, but are fundamentally outclassed by 4th-gen platforms at 12.0+.
6. Community Support & Precedent
- Multiple forum threads request Kfir C.7 BR reduction.
- Similar IR-focused fighters at lower BRs perform better (e.g., F-5E at 11.0 RB).
Recommendation
To align BR with actual combat effectiveness and weapon technology level:
Primary Request:
- Kfir C.2: Current 11.7 → Proposed 11.3 Air RB
- Kfir C.7: Current 12.0 → Proposed 11.7 Air RB
This would allow both aircraft to face opponents where their high maneuverability and Python 3 missiles are competitive, rather than being overwhelmingly outclassed by radar-guided missiles and advanced avionics.
Personal Hope / Alternative Suggestion (the “whisper” part): If the development team feels that even 11.7/11.3 is too high given the Kfir’s avionics limitations, I would personally love to see:
- Kfir C.2 at 11.0 Air RB (alongside F-5E, A-4E)
- Kfir C.7 at 11.3 Air RB (alongside early F-16A, MiG-23MLD)
This would better reflect their historical role as “bridge” fighters between 3rd-gen and 4th-gen eras, and give players a more enjoyable experience with these unique Israeli aircraft. But I understand if balance considerations require the primary request instead.
Thank you for your time and consideration.