I want to do some air to air combat with US jets because CAS is so annoying. Does anyone have tips for surviving against SAMs from non US countries?
Which plane are you flying? SPAAs should be pretty survivable when doing CAP. Don’t go too high up and take into account that there might be superior aircraft to yours.
I’m thinking of using something like the F-5C (which I would play at 10.7) or later down the road the F-15A for actual top tier
Stay at range, 3-9 either the missile or radar while keeping speed. Most ground based AA wont hit you, unless its something like pantsir.
I have to say that the F-5C is 10.3 in GRB, but I don’t see MBTs on 10.3 so yeah, 10.7. To be honest, I’d rather bring a Fox-3 plane on top tier, as everyone does carry those and in the event of an uptier, you’de get paired with many fox-3 carriers. Check the GRB BRs on the planes as they’re different that when ARB. Maye the F-14? It’s 12.0 in GRB. You can check GRB BRs on the wiki
As you can see in the top right I have the tank selected instead of the plane. Take that into account. It can also carry JDAMs if you want to. Then of course there’s the F-15E but that would get you closer to the KH-38 hell. The ‘best’ SPAA for now is the Pantsir-S1, you only need to deep dive the moment you spawn in and they’re easy to dodge if you aren’t distracted.
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One key survival strategy is managing altitude wisely.
Flying at low levels helps avoid radar detection, but it comes with the risk of infrared-guided SAMs, especially MANPADS positioned near objectives.
These systems often fire heat-seeking missiles, which can be harder to evade if flares aren’t deployed correctly.
On the other hand, flying high may keep you out of the engagement range of shorter-range SAMs, but it also makes you a prime target for advanced radar-guided systems with long-range capabilities.
Speed plays a crucial role in staying alive. War Thunder rewards energy management, so boom-and-zoom tactics can be extremely effective.
If you maintain high speed, missiles have a harder time tracking you, giving you more room to evade if locked. When a missile is inbound, executing high-speed barrel rolls, split-S turns, or other evasive maneuvers can significantly increase your chances of survival.
Additionally, knowing when to use chaff and flares is essential.
Chaff helps counter radar-guided missiles by breaking the enemy’s lock, while flares are crucial for deceiving infrared-guided missiles.
The effectiveness of countermeasures varies by aircraft in War Thunder, so proper timing is key to avoiding destruction.
Understanding enemy SAM systems is also a major advantage in combat. Some of the most dangerous systems in the game include the Russian Pantsir, the TOR-M1, and the French Roland systems, all of which have highly accurate missiles and formidable tracking abilities, Pantsir being the best of the Bunch!
Knowing their engagement zones can help avoid unnecessary risks. Some aircraft come equipped with electronic countermeasures (ECM), which make locking onto you more difficult.
Additionally, radar evasion techniques—such as flying perpendicular to an enemy radar source (a maneuver known as “notching”) can reduce the chance of being tracked by radar-guided systems.
Map awareness is another crucial factor.
Keeping an eye on known SAM positions and avoiding predictable flight paths is necessary when engaging in combat against heavily defended areas. If an enemy-controlled zone has active SPAA, using terrain features such as mountains, buildings, or even trees can provide temporary cover.
Diving behind obstacles or keeping unpredictable flight patterns makes it harder for SAM operators to get a clean shot.
Since close air support (CAS) has been a frustrating aspect for you, shifting fully to air superiority combat will feel far more rewarding.
Taking jets like the F-16, F-4 Phantom, or even the F-15 (if available in the future) will allow you to stay agile, intercept enemy aircraft efficiently, and maintain control of the battlefield without worrying about ground attack distractions.
There are days when flying strike aircraft feels like a constant battle for survival, as if I need eyes in every direction just to stay alive. While these strategies certainly improve your chances, sometimes survival comes down to sheer luck, the composition of enemy forces, and the timing of your spawn.
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