Next Major Update - Rumor Roundup & Discussion

Game Discussion General Discussion
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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
New Nuclear Escalation maps- one completely new, one based on an existing air map
Possible introduction of new gameplay types in NE such as cargo missions
“graphical enhancements”
“a new type of ammunition”
more detailed DIRCM on helicopters

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)
More functionality for Early Warning radars in NE
New targets and vehicles in NE mode

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?

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I am always curious about the SU-47…

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

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

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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!

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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…
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It did not even have external (working) hardpoints, let alone 14 to begin with. Only internal with 2-4 missile capacity and iirc it is not proven to be actually wired.

Also the weapons were never officially known I think

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Im joking but not really

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modern SEAD is here agm88G and the kh58UshK or something like that

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First

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2 hours late 😭

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community manager OXY claimed no 5th gen then gajin scrambled and tried to say he meant no F22 but BVVD still says that “second half of 2026 isn’t over” which is our best source not a community manager on a dev stream BVVD said when asked about 5th gen and the second half of 2026 statemnt that second half of 2026 isn’t over which it wont be over til 2027 so 2 updates I will likely be 5th gen

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5th gen without f22s just isn’t 5th gen like FR gajin the jet is pushing 30 first 5th gen made meaning it should be the face of 5th gen when added since its the most recognizable by far so lets say we get F35 on the 5th gen cover , that’s just not right

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No, Oxy didn’t say no 5th gen they said:

“Will the F-22 be added after the F-15 or F-18? That is like over a year - well over a year away I think at the very very least do not expect that this year. That’s a new front.”

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This post was flagged by the community and is temporarily hidden.

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interesting…

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You didn’t respond to Josh debunking your claim. Just say you were wrong and that you’ll be more careful. Oxy said F-22, not 5th gens.

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Yugoslavia when?