Next Major Update - Rumor Roundup & Discussion


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WELCOME to the War Thunder - Rumor Round-Up and Discussion Thread!

Here you can discuss everything related to the upcoming major update, including rumors, data mines, and dev blogs.


However, please AVOID these types of discussions:

Wishlisting. Some examples:

  • “I want the F-22 next update!”
  • “Gaijin where are these vehicles!!!” <lists 10 vehicles they want in the game>

There’s a separate thread for this here

Vehicle spec discussions, such as armour, ammo, ordnance, guns, data sheets, performance. Some examples:

  • “I hope for these vehicles, they will balance the game. They have XYZ ordnance and will counter the XYZ!”
  • 2 page discussions about what type of ammo a new tank in a dev blog will get. Now this is fine for the most part since a vehicle in the dev blog is part of the next update, however it can escalate into completely other discussions so do be careful!

There’s plenty of threads for these discussions here.

Bug reports, issues, suggestions, feedback for dev-server or testing. Some examples:

  • “Abrams is missing its thermals. However that’s not meant to be as it had this historically. Smin fix this!!!”
  • “This thing is bugged on the dev server, devs please fix it!”

You can make a bug report here and suggestion here. When the dev server is up, use the DEV Server Section for feedback.

Not avoiding these example discussions will mean your post is likely to be hidden by a moderator. Any continuation after that might mean you get a warning.

You must remember that this is the most popular and active thread on the forum. Its aim is to put all of the next update’s information in one place so it can be discussed amongst the community. Other discussions like outlined in the examples above can be discussed in proper forum sections. Often official Gaijin staff members will respond on this thread so do be sure to remain respectful! Otherwise they may just stop. Please also remember that everyone is entitled to their own opinions on what may be coming. If you follow the forum rules, you’ll be okay!

Please use the Sky Odyssey Thread to discuss the CURRENT Major Update. Complaining here won’t solve anything and is considered off-topic.


Frequently Asked Questions

Click to reveal

Q: What is this thread about?
A: This thread is exclusively about the upcoming major update and potential / confirmed content in said update.

Q: Will you add… (insert thing here)?
A: We’re not developers.

Q: Google Doc says we should have X by Y.
A: First of all, we genuinely appreciate how dedicated our community is by the fact that you track dev blogs, teasers, update drops, and past event patterns. The level of detail that goes into this is something we truly value.

The Gszabi99 Google Doc is a great example of that passion, and it’s a useful reference point for many things. However, we’ve noticed some growing tension around the idea that this document represents an official schedule or deadline. To be very clear, it does not. The developers are not bound to any timelines, predictions, or expectations listed in the Google Doc, no matter how well researched they may be.

Going forward, any comments along the lines of “Gaijin, why haven’t you done X by Y since the Google Doc says you should have” are considered your own opinion. As explained above, the developers do not operate according to unofficial community timelines, and no such document dictates the development schedule.

Q: Where did the giant list on the OP go?
A: It was severely out of date and was removed.

Q: Where did my post go?
A: Off-Topic comments will often be removed to keep this thread readable and on topic. No need to be alarmed or comment if your post disappears. If you are concerned, contact a Forum Moderator or Senior Forum Moderator privately.


Please remember to keep on-topic and respect each other.
Thank you!

7 Likes

Welp… this update disappointed me with the implementation of most things I was looking forward to, but this period of the year brings 3 updates in a 5 month period, which means next update may actually be coming out pretty soon, if I am not mistaken!

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2nd

Ooh, there 's new rules in the thread OP. I will read them carefully while we wait for the new header image 👍👍

Welcome Back Forum

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Cope&Despair roundup is back, letsgo!

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arjun mk1a when

Bangladesh sub tree for china when?
Waiting for Durjoy, MiG-29B and F-7BGI

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Canadian Leo when for Britan and the Australian Kf-41 : P

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Where Polish tech tree?

Well hoping we see some nice gap filling in the last two updates of the year, in no particular order I’m hoping for:

  • British SPAA between 5.3 and 8.3, Vickers Valkyr h.20 being ideal

  • German additions to add line up with depth between 10.7 and 12.3

  • Some Swedish combat vehicles (spaa aside Sweden has only gotten the CV90105 TML this year)

  • French spaa for the 6.3-8.7 gap, tons of options

  • Leopard 2a6HEL (105)

  • some more domestic French additions, aquilon and EMBT are all they’ve gotten this year for ground and air

  • Triple packs of premium versions of domestic designs for more trees, like discussed here

Dream triple pack

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The Canadian Leos and LAVs in the UK tree would make it so I never played anything else, as I’d have the only lineup I’d ever need, a pure Canadian one.

Here are some current rumors about upcoming content that could be coming to the game with the next major update (2.61) for War Thunder! Keep an eye out on this post as I will update it with new information as we get it!

When will the next major update arrive?

The fourth major update of the year usually goes live from late October to (more recently) November:
2.51 “Spearhead”- 11 November 2025
2.41 “Firebirds”- 19 November 2024
2.31 “Kings of Battle”- 31 October 2023

Upcoming content confirmed or hinted by Gaijin (developer or CM comments, appearances in trailers, dev streams, or the dev server) will be in this color. Otherwise, any content below this point is a RUMOR and is not confirmed to be coming to the game.

Confirmed Vehicles
None yet :)

Confirmed Features
None yet :)

Rumored Features and Mechanics (not guaranteed to be in the upcoming update) and Denied Features:
Playable Carriers, many related files datamined in both desktop and mobile clients
Confirmed, with a potential timeframe:
Fifth Generation aircraft could come but no sooner than the second half of 2026, according to BVVD (we are in the second half of 2026 now, according to Oxy this could be next year, 2027, instead)
RCS modeling for munitions planned for 2026
Fujian, Nimitz, and other carriers (not playable) planned for 2026
More naval vessels planned for Nuclear Escalation
Confirmed, but no timeframe:
Strategic bombers are being considered as event or squadron vehicles
Submarines, confirmed by BVVD, many related files datamined in desktop client, BVVD says the developers are optimistic about progress.
Scouting mechanics and additional weapons for armed UAVs
Denied:
UI changes will be “evolutionary”, not everything will be changed at once
No indirect fire mode or Smoke artillery for SPHs
No battle rating spread of 0.7

Specific Rumored Vehicles
For a comprehensive list of leaked vehicles and assets, check out the work of the incredible dataminers at https://gszabi99.github.io/

“New wheeled vehicles for Russia, not a new branch, but many new vehicles” mentioned by BVVD
Ka-52M mentioned by BVVD as being worked on
2026 Decal: Su-15, Takao
Chinese trainer aircraft (L-15?)
AMX-30C2

Nations, Tech Trees and Subtrees
Swiss ground forces for Germany, likely based on the addition of Swiss Air subtree
Malaysia ground forces for Japan, likely based on the addition of Malaysia Air subtree
United Korea tech tree (CM8)
Cypriot vehicles as an Israeli subtree(CM8)

Game Modes
SEAD and Strategic Bombing/Deep Strike missions for upcoming Aerial Warfare mode (has this been outmoded by Nuclear Escalation???)
Airfield repair/capture mechanic is planned for Nuclear Escalation (no timeframe)

Latest “educated guess” lists:
Remember, these are not official or confirmed. The information also contradicts official statements in some places, and there have been no further updates since this list was initially posted last year.

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DO NOT ask community managers or forum staff to comment on leaks or “guesses,” they can’t comment on such things. Official statements hold the most weight!

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The 2026 guesses stating “more advanced SAMS coming alongside modern SEAD” what counts as that now that we have AARGM-ER? What could be more advanced than that?

I am always curious about the SU-47…

Wasn’t it denied for not being a fully functional aircraft, similarly to BAE EAP?

Just think of the premium riches…
Su-47 would sell incredibly well no way Gaijin leaves that on the table

I’ve been interested in grinding Russia, but I am taken aback by the Premium SU-30’s radar…

I know it’s generally great otherwise, specially at 13.3, but, in the test flight even, I can barely get it to lock on anyone…

So if they release Rank X, with Rank IX Premiums, and SU-47 is one of them, I may be interested, yep!

IIRC no, it was not. Im quite sure that it is not coming any time soon, but it is not impossible, unlike EAP.
It was even passed to developers.

With, whatever these stats are
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S-400 for russia, Pantsir SM SVM is clearly underperforming

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You should watch out, as its stats are far from the best…
image

1 Like