As I mentioned earlier, the CS/SA introduced to the Chinese Tech Tree in the last update was not the implementation of the new Multi-Vehicle AA mechanic. Instead, much like Italy before the next major update, it serves as a supplement to the long-missing top-tier AA. In other words, the CS/SA is a belated addition of top-tier AA for China, arriving three years after the Pantsir SAM system update in the Autumn of 2022 (and, of course, I still want to mention Italy—poor Italy’s top-tier AA).
WHY?
However, according to the game statistics, the TOR-M1 is also considered one of the “efficiency outsiders” in terms of its performance, and it simply cannot resolve the issues with the late Soviet anti-aircraft lineup.
——From [Development] Dev team replies to community feedback on the Sky Guardians update - News - War Thunder
Moreover, the earlier TOR and HQ-17 could hardly be considered top-tier AA. Prior to the recent Battle Rating adjustment, they were placed at BR 11.0 and 11.3, respectively.
Given that many nations with top-tier AA have reintroduced multi-vehicle SAM systems to counter increasingly powerful CAS options—such as Russia receiving the Buk-M3 missile system after the mighty Pantsir. When Will China Get Multi-Vehicle SAM?
it’s worth noting that although I don’t understand Russian, there was a rumor circulating during the Russian Dev Server stream last update: Mr. BVV_D mentioned during the Russian Official Dev Server livestream that China would receive another AA vehicle in the next update. Many believed it would be China’s Multi-Vehicle SAM, introduced alongside those of Russia, Italy, and other nations. But after watching the trailer, it was genuinely disappointing…
So, although it’s evident from various parades, airshows, and arms exhibitions that China is certainly not lacking in multi-vehicle SAM systems, will the Chinese Tech Tree have to wait another three years to receive this long-overdue new mechanic?
And when will Chinese radar systems finally get the NCTR (Non-Cooperative Target Recognition) mechanic? It’s rather absurd that even the most basic NCTR—allowing radars to distinguish between rockets and aircraft—is absent from systems like the J-11B and the CS/SA, despite being 21st-century radar technology.