With the upcoming update, War Thunder is introducing two top-tier F-18 variants:
-F/A-18C (US Air Tree)
-F-18C (Finnish sub-tree, Sweden Air Tree)
The core issue? The Finnish F-18C lacks HMD, while the American variant gets one at the same BR.
Why is this a problem?
It’s an unfair downgrade at the same BR – Players grinding the Swedish Air Tree are getting an outright worse aircraft despite it being the same jet. The lack of HMD significantly reduces the combat effectiveness of a plane in top-tier BVR and Fox-3 combat scenarios.
The justification doesn’t hold up – Gaijin has stated they will add later Finnish F-18C upgrades (MLU1) in the future to introduce an HMD. But why should we have to wait and grind an entirely new jet just to get features the American variant already has? * This isn’t how they handled the F-15C and E. When the F-15C and F-15E were added, Gaijin introduced the strongest baseline variants immediately, rather than starting with worse early models and gradually upgrading them over time. So why is the Finnish Hornet being treated differently?
They could add the MLU1 package now – Gaijin could easily give the Finnish F-18C a version of the MLU1 upgrades right now without adding the AIM-9X. Instead of making us wait indefinitely for a future variant, they could at least add the HMD to bring it in line with the US Hornet while keeping the bigger MLU upgrades for later.
To make matters worse, Gaijin’s response to this criticism has been dismissive. Instead of addressing why the Finnish Hornet is being handicapped at the same BR as the US version, they just repeat that a “modernized variant” will come later. But that doesn’t answer the fundamental question: Why should Sweden players be stuck with a worse aircraft in the first place?
They had no issue implementing the F-15C and F-15E as stronger baseline variants immediately, so why is the Finnish Hornet being treated differently?
At the end of the day, this is nothing more than an artificial way to extend the grind and handicap Sweden players. Gaijin has shown they’re willing to introduce strong baseline variants for other nations, but when it comes to Sweden, they deliberately hold back key features and force players to wait for another grind down the line. There’s no real justification for this other than keeping Swedish tech tree players stuck with a worse version for longer.
What Needs to Change?
The Finnish F-18C should be implemented with an HMD.
If Gaijin insists on keeping the MLU1 upgrade as a separate aircraft, they need to reconsider the BR of the current Finnish Hornet so that it isn’t just a worse version at the same BR.
The Swedish air tree already has fewer top-tier aircraft options compared to any other air tree, and this decision unnecessarily widens that gap.
If you agree, upvote/like and comment to push this issue into discussion. The more pressure we apply, the more likely Gaijin will reconsider their decision.
i would say just give the HMD, lowering its br to a 13.7 doesn’t do anything. with only gripen for top tier, we have the worst cas loadout, and now f18 without an HMD and no A2G😑
If you care and haven’t seen i made a Poll. The only thing we can do is try and show gaijin that the majority of players care. Its a longshot but maybe we can change their minds. Smin has told me i cant ping him on the matter so if you have a problem with it let your voice be heard.
Yeah definitely not wrong at all HMD SHOULD be the barebones minimum for 13.7 aircraft let alone 14.0 I wouldn’t say it’ll be DoA without it but definitely gotta work a lil bit harder for a kill, and weird a F/A-18C without any A2G ordinance is wild especially for a multirole fighter.
No, if you read Smins response they plan to addMLU 2, and skip MLU 1. Why should we have to play an inferior hornet at the same BR then be told we have to wait for an on par option to arrive? Reading is hard for some but its a kick to the teeth for Finland to skip the MLU 1 when the MLU 1 would make it equivalent to the current US model.
Gaijin added the most advanced model they could for the Late C model (non AESA) yet why not hold that same regard and have the MLU 1 be on Finland to match that?
Again - maybe that nuance got lost in my message - Finland at least GOT a Hornet, and improved variant IS officially announced., while others have zero variants.
Who decides what should be added and when? I find that pretty arrogant personally to voice such demands, especially - again - when one could also simply be grateful for what is added.
I’m super happy the Hornets come, no matter that variant, what country. Obviously I would enjoy even more if “my” desired variant/country would be added, that’s only natural.
The problem is imagine swiss hornet arrives and they dont give it on par equipment yet shove it at the same BR as the current 14.0 even thoigh you get a single upgrade to make it on par. Ehy would you want to wait for an update or 3 before getting an equivalent vehicle? Nobody wants to play an artificially held back vehicle id they can help it. The Finnish F-18C has no right to stay at 14.0 without HMD, that is a make or break from some fights even more so depending on map and position. Its a dumb argument to just assume “you fins are so greedy, you already got a hornet and now gaijin has confirmed if you wait 6 more updates you’ll get one thats on par with the US model…”
Its not just about balance but having unique Finnish modifications present and the MLU 1 is the first of 2 unique modifications so why should they be skipped.
It’s not a matter of demanding for a plane/improvement- it’s a matter of demanding for balance and fairness. Why is our Hornet lacking a key feature, essential for top-tier gameplay, when theirs doesn’t? Why is it that when they have new planes being added, the strongest baseline variants get added instantly? Gaijin could have also made two seperate F-15E’s, one with the 220 engines and without HMD and another one with the 229 engines + HMD. Same with the F-15C and F-16C. But they didn’t, indicating clear lack of consistency and fairness.
So does that mean the Sweden DESERVED to get a worse Hornet? The Fin F18C is sitting at the same BR as the US one so player surely expect them to be the same/on par, saying they will add a better hornet dont change the fact that Sweden get a worse Hornet at the same BR.
Honestly people over think it, the MLU 2 will either come with 9X or not at which point gaijin will likely push it up from 14.0 because it carries bol pods so its not an equivalent to the current 14.0 roster so again it doesn’t magically fix the fact that the current 14.0 F-18C is garbage.
