10.3|Feb 17, 2026
View on Steam↗Squad 10.3 Patch Notes
4/5 Significant
PLA faction receives a massive overhaul with the QBZ-191 weapon family and new vehicles, while faction alliance restrictions are removed to allow any faction to fight any other.
Key Changes
- 1PLA Faction expansion with the QBZ-191 weapon family and new vehicles like the Lynx 8x8.
- 2Removal of Faction Alliance restrictions, allowing any faction to fight any other.
- 3Introduction of the Type 071 Amphibious Transport Dock and new naval invasion layers.
- 4Four new community-designed map layers added to official rotation.
- 5Emotes now usable outside of main base and gestures enabled for vehicle passengers.
- 6RPD recoil reduced and RGF LAT1 kit buffed with Binoculars.
- 7HUD magazine icons now visually deplete to show ammo reserves.
- 8New Fireteam missions and end-of-mission scoreboard added.
- 9Increased minimum fall height for taking fall damage.
- 10Improved SquidBot AI vision for spotting targets behind cover.
All Changes
🇨🇳PLA Faction(14)
- newQBZ-191 Rifle: Introduced the QBZ-191 Rifle with multiple variants including grip pod, suppressor, and three optic types.
- newQBZ-192 Carbine: Introduced the QBZ-192 Carbine, a compact variant of the 191 series for vehicle crews and support roles.
- newQBU-191 DMR: Introduced the QBU-191 Designated Marksman Rifle featuring a cold-hammer-forged long barrel and integrated bipod.
- newQCW-05 SMG: Introduced the QCW-05 Sub Machine Gun, a bullpup PDW with a 50-round quadruple-stack magazine.
- newQJB-201 LMG: Introduced the QJB-201 Light Machine Gun, a belt-fed weapon with 100-round belts and dual-feed system.
- newQJY-201 GPMG: Introduced the QJY-201 General Purpose Machine Gun chambered in 7.62x51mm with an integrated bipod.
- newQLZ-87 Heavy Grenade Launcher: Introduced the QLZ-87 Heavy Grenade Launcher, a man-portable automatic launcher with a 6-round drum.
- newQMK-171A Rifle Scope: Added the QMK-171A Rifle Scope, a 3x fixed-power prism sight for the QBZ-191/192 family.
- newQMK-191 DMR Scope: Added the QMK-191 DMR Scope with 3-12x variable magnification for the QBU-191.
- newQMK201 LMG Scope: Added the QMK201 LMG Scope, a 3x magnification prism optic for the QJB-201.
- newQMK-203 Optic: Added the QMK-203 optic, a 6x magnification scope for the QJY-201 GPMG.
- newYOLOSON LH510S Reflex Sight: Added the YOLOSON LH510S Reflex Sight, a non-magnified CQB optic for QBZ-191/192 rifles.
- newQLZ-87 Emplacement: Added a tripod-mounted configuration of the QLZ-87 Heavy Grenade Launcher with a 15-round drum for fortifications.
- changePLA Factions: PLA and PLANMC now use the QBZ-191 family (except Support battlegroups), while PLAAGF retains the QBZ-95 family.
🚜Vehicles(7)
- newLynx 8x8: Introduced the Lynx 8x8, an unarmed amphibious light tactical vehicle in Transport and Logistics variants.
- newLynx 8x8 Fire Support: Added Lynx 8x8 Fire Support variants equipped with either a QJZ-89 HMG or a QLZ-87 AGL.
- newZSD-89 Tracked APC: Introduced the ZSD-89 Tracked APC in Open Top HMG and Open Top QLZ-87 variants.
- newZSD-89 30mm: Added a ZSD-89 variant equipped with a 30mm Autocannon.
- newWZ-551 Wheeled IFV: Introduced the WZ-551 Wheeled IFV (ZSL-92) in Open Top HMG and QLZ-87 variants.
- newZSL-92B IFV: Added the ZSL-92B IFV variant featuring a 30mm autocannon and 7.62 cupola machine gun.
- newZ-9A Utility Helicopter: Introduced the Z-9A Utility Helicopter for aerial transport and logistics.
🗺️Maps & Layers(5)
- newType 071 Amphibious Transport Dock: Added the PLA Type 071 Amphibious Transport Dock as a new amphibious main base.
- newInvasion Layers: Added new naval invasion layers for Sanxian Islands, Skorpo, and Goose Bay launched from the 071.
- newCommunity Layers: Added four community-designed map layers: Sanxian RAAS v3_CL, Al Basrah AAS v3_CL, Harju RAAS v3_CL, and Manicouagan Seed v2_CL.
- newBlack Coast: Added Invasion_v3 layer to Black Coast.
- newGorodok: Added Invasion_v3 layer to Gorodok.
⚙️Gameplay Systems(9)
- changeFaction Restrictions: Removed Faction Alliance restrictions; any faction can now fight any other faction on most layers.
- newServer Settings: Added a server configuration option to enable or disable faction alliance restrictions.
- changeBiome Restrictions: Updated biome restrictions for CRF, IMF, MEI, and GFI factions across various global regions.
- buffSoldier Locomotion: Increased the minimum fall height required to trigger fall damage.
- changeEmotes: Emotes can now be used outside of the main base and during Forward Staging (restricted to first-person view).
- changeEmotes: Emotes can now be used from a crouched stance, automatically changing the character's stance.
- newGestures: Gestures can now be used by passengers in trucks, helicopters, light armored vehicles, quads, bikes, and boats.
- changeGestures: Restricted Overwatch, Move Out, Cease Fire, and Disregard gestures from being used in vehicles.
- newServer Settings: Added new server settings 'PrepTimeStandard' and 'PrepTimeSmallScale' to adjust match staging and start times.
🖥️UI & HUD(3)
- buffHUD: Weapon magazines in the HUD now visually deplete to show remaining ammo reserves.
- buffHUD: Single-shot weapons now use unique icons to represent remaining uses instead of the standard magazine icon.
- changeUI: Updated all Battlegroup icons to use stylized graphics instead of NATO map symbols.
🔊Audio(8)
- changeMG3: Added new close firing sounds for the MG3.
- changeTLF SOR109: Added new close firing sounds for the TLF SOR109 SMG.
- changeM2 50cal: Added new close and mid firing sounds for the M2 .50cal HMG.
- changeDSHK HMG: Added new close and mid firing sounds for the DSHK HMG.
- changeRPD: Added new close firing sounds for the RPD.
- changeVz61 SMG: Added new firing and foley sounds for the Vz61 SMG.
- changeMakarov: Added new firing sounds for the Makarov pistol.
- changeVehicles: Improved bullet hit sounds on armored vehicles.
👥Fireteam(8)
- newFireteam: Added a scoreboard at the end of missions.
- fixFireteam: Fixed multiple objective markers and updated text in the 'Raiders on the Storm' mission.
- changeFireteam: Experimental missions now display an experimental mission image preview.
- newFireteam: Added 'AllowFireteamLayersInRotation' server config option.
- fixFireteam: Fixed an 'Invalid Password' crash when hosting private Fireteam servers.
- removeFireteam: Announced the removal of current Experimental Missions in the upcoming March update.
- newFireteam: Added two new Free Tier missions: 'Sand in your TOWs' and 'Reactor Capture'.
- newFireteam: Added a new Paid Tier mission for Supporter/Founder pack owners: 'Waves of Thunder'.
⚖️Balance & AI(4)
- buffZiS-3 Field Gun: Added zoom functionality to the IMF's ZiS-3 field gun emplacement.
- buffRGF LAT1: Updated RGF LAT1 (with RPG7) to include Binoculars in their kit inventory.
- buffRPD: Reduced RPD recoil to be more in line with similar machine guns.
- buffSquidBots: Improved SquidBots vision systems to better spot targets in windows and behind fences.
🐛Bug Fixes(25)
- fixAAVP7A1: Fixed USMC AAVP7A1 APC exit points causing players to get stuck.
- fixAFU C90: Fixed AFU C90 stadiametric rangefinder functionality.
- fixPSO1 Scope: Fixed zeroing and stadiametric rangefinder on the PSO1 Scope for SVD Marksman Rifle.
- fixAS-VAL: Fixed narrow rear iron sight on the IMF AS-VAL.
- fixZSD05 Logistics: Fixed frame skipping when swapping aim positions for the PLANMC ZSD05 Logistics QJY88.
- fixVehicles: Fixed weapon slot type standards for BMP-1, BMP-2M, BMP-3M, BMD-4M, BTR-4, and BMP-1TS.
- fixVehicles: Fixed track texture issues on VDV BMD-1M and BTR-D.
- fixSDO Scope: Fixed texture issue on the SDO Scope for the USMC faction.
- fixUSMC SL: Fixed switching animations for the USMC SL underslung grenade launcher.
- fixMi-8MTV-5: Fixed misspelled word on the tail of the AFU Mi-8MTV-5 Helicopter.
- fixBRDM-2: Fixed BRDM-2 commander character animation during periscope traversal.
- fixSkins: Fixed inverted magazine tape on the 'Crash Test' weapon skin.
- fixAFU: Fixed AFU soldier poses.
- fixStugna-P: Fixed missing projectile collision on the AFU Stugna-P ATGM Control Unit.
- fixFortifications: Fixed teleportation bug when un-deploying bipods on IMF Hull Down and Observation Tower fortifications.
- fixDestruction Mode: Fixed inconsistent descriptions during staging for Destruction game mode layers.
- fixQLZ87: Fixed firing and inspection animations for the QLZ87.
- fixM14 Rifle: Fixed unreliable ranging at 900m-1000m for the WPMC M14 Rifle + Meupold Scope.
- fixVehicles: Fixed bug where players could flip Main Battle Tanks by running into them.
- fixVehicles: Fixed vehicles flipping when driving under low surfaces or trees.
- fixVehicles: Fixed lack of lateral friction on slopes for tracked vehicles preventing acceleration.
- fixAl Basrah: Fixed broken material on the Al Basrah Terminal building.
- fixBlack Coast: Fixed missing backface on rocks in Black Coast.
- fixChora: Fixed missing wall section in Chora.
- fixGoose Bay: Fixed floating tree in Goose Bay.
🎨Cosmetics(1)
- newDragon Pack: Introduced the Dragon Pack ($11.99 USD) featuring eight cosmetic items for PLA and PLANMC weapons.
Summary
PLA Faction Expansion
Patch 10.3 introduces a significant modernization of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) factions. This includes the new QBZ-191 modular weapon family, which replaces the older QBZ-95 for most roles, and a suite of new vehicles including the Lynx 8x8 light tactical vehicle and the Z-9A utility helicopter. The update also expands amphibious warfare with the Type 071 Amphibious Transport Dock, serving as a new main base for naval invasion layers on Sanxian Islands, Skorpo, and Goose Bay.
Faction & Map Updates
A major systemic change removes Faction Alliance restrictions, allowing any faction to face any other on most maps, though biome-specific restrictions remain for certain irregular forces. Four new community-designed map layers have been added to the official rotation. Additionally, soldier locomotion has been tweaked to increase the minimum height required to trigger fall damage.
Gameplay & QoL
Players can now use emotes outside of the main base (restricted to first-person) and perform gestures while seated in vehicles. The HUD has been improved with visually depleting magazine icons and unique icons for single-shot weapons. Fireteam mode receives a new scoreboard, several bug fixes, and three new missions (two free, one for Supporter/Founder pack owners).