Nov 11, 2026
View on Steam↗War Thunder: F-15EX and Custom Battle Ratings
4/5 Significant
F-15EX and Leopard 2A8 arrive alongside loadout-dependent Battle Ratings, new ground vehicle systems and Daily Login Streak Freeze.
Key Changes
- 1F-15EX and Leopard 2A8 headline a selection of new aircraft, ground vehicles and ships.
- 2Selected aircraft and helicopters can choose a Battle Rating in the hangar, with available weapons and modifications tied to that choice.
- 3Ground vehicles gain damageable systems, auxiliary power units on selected vehicles and manual loading when an autoloader is depleted or disabled.
- 4Daily Login Streak Freeze protects missed login days, granting one Freeze for every 12 login days and holding up to 30.
- 5Helicopters can retarget compatible man-in-the-loop munitions in flight.
- 6Sun City and American Desert receive visual enhancements while retaining their familiar layouts.
- 7DLSS 5 is available for 50 series GPUs.
- 8CCRP bombing no longer requires a dedicated button and allows manual bomb release with an active point of interest.
All Changes
🚜Ground Vehicles(26)
- newLeopard 2A8: Leopard 2A8 joins Germany with Trophy Active Protection System.
- newStingray II: Stingray II joins the USA as a paid premium pack vehicle.
- newOlifant Mk.1B Optimering (RSA): Olifant Mk.1B Optimering (RSA) joins Great Britain as a paid pack vehicle.
- newBTR-90: BTR-90 joins the USSR.
- newBMP-3F (Indonesia): BMP-3F (Indonesia) joins Japan.
- newZBD04: ZBD04 joins China.
- newV-4/40 (Hungary): V-4/40 (Hungary) joins Italy.
- newLancia 3Ro (Flak.): Lancia 3Ro (Flak.) joins Italy.
- newCheetah PRTL (Netherlands): Cheetah PRTL (Netherlands) joins France.
- newLeopard 2A8NO (Norway): Leopard 2A8NO (Norway) joins Sweden.
- newPbil m/39 (Denmark): Pbil m/39 (Denmark) joins Sweden as a premium vehicle.
- changeKugelblitz: Kugelblitz has an updated model.
- newFire-control and electrical systems are now damageable modules, while auxiliary power units supply power on many vehicles when the engine is disabled.
- newSelected vehicles can manually load their guns when the autoloader is depleted or disabled, but must stop firing to refill the rack.
- changeGas turbine and diesel engine performance curves have been revised for selected vehicles, and planetary steering has been added to others.
- nerfAMX-30, AMX-30 (1972), AMX-30B2 and AMX-30B2 BRENUS turret traverse speed drops from 30°/s to 24°/s.
- changeLeopard 2A7: Leopard 2A7 maximum speed rises from 61.1 to 63 km/h, while gun vertical guidance angles are corrected from -9°/20° to -7.4°/17.4°.
- nerfFalcon: Falcon ammunition drops from 680 to 620 rounds, and horizontal and vertical traverse speeds drop from 90°/s and 50°/s to 80°/s and 40°/s.
- buffBMD-4M: BMD-4M 30 mm cannon ammunition increases from 464 to 500 rounds.
- buffIS-2M (“Be Prepared!”): IS-2M (“Be Prepared!”) turret traverse speed increases from 14°/s to 26.4°/s.
- nerfZBD04A: ZBD04A gun reload time increases from 4 to 5.2 seconds.
- nerfFK-2000: FK-2000 loses its scouting ability.
- nerfChieftain Mk 3: Chieftain Mk 3 maximum speed drops from 49 km/h to 40.7 km/h, with adjusted gear ratios.
- nerfChieftain Mk 5: Chieftain Mk 5 maximum speed drops from 48 km/h to 42.7 km/h, with adjusted gear ratios.
- nerfChieftain Mk 10 and Chieftain Marksman maximum speed drops from 48 km/h to 43.5 km/h, with adjusted gear ratios.
- buffVickers Mk.1: Vickers Mk.1 maximum speed rises from 48 km/h to 50.1 km/h, with adjusted gear ratios.
✈️Aircraft(16)
- newF-15EX: F-15EX joins the USA with air and ground payload options including 12 ARH missiles.
- newF-15IA Ra’am II: F-15IA Ra’am II joins Israel.
- newF/A-18D: F/A-18D joins the USA as a paid pack vehicle.
- newSu-15TM: Su-15TM joins the USSR with new R-98MR and R-98MT missiles.
- newFulmar Mk.II: Fulmar Mk.II joins Great Britain with 8,000 rounds of ammunition.
- newFirefly F.Mk.I (Thailand): Firefly F.Mk.I (Thailand) joins Japan.
- newB-33 (Indonesia): B-33 (Indonesia) joins Japan.
- newQ-5D: Q-5D joins China as a paid pack vehicle.
- newJAS39-5: JAS39-5 joins Sweden as a paid pack vehicle.
- newB-17E variants and SE.203 Aquilon 203 receive new cockpits.
- buffSelected aircraft receive CBU-58B, CBU-87B, BL755, RBK-500, Type 250-3 or BLG-66 cluster bombs.
- changeR-60, R-60M and R-60MK thrust drops from 9.5 kN to 8.3 kN, while available G-load at low speeds increases and flight models and autopilots are updated.
- changeR-73: R-73 motor burn time drops from 5.5 s to 4.8 s with original total impulse maintained, while permitted load factor rises from 40G to 60G and destabilization probability is reduced.
- changeBomber damage models now include developing fuel and engine fires, revised fuel leaks and ignition, stronger wing spars and fire spreading to the tail; selected aircraft receive updated or detailed damage models.
- changeIL-10 variants and Mosquito F/NF Mk.2 receive reworked flight models, while F-15 variants have slightly reduced transonic drag.
- changeCCRP no longer needs a dedicated button, permits manual release with a point of interest active and has a revised indicator, including for toss bombing.
🚁Helicopters(3)
- newAW249 Fenice: AW249 Fenice joins Italy as a new attack helicopter.
- newMi-8TV: Mi-8TV receives a new detailed cockpit.
- newHelicopters can retarget compatible man-in-the-loop munitions in flight.
🚢Naval Fleet(11)
- newErie: Erie joins the USA.
- newH-39: H-39 joins Germany with eight 406 mm cannons in 4 turrets.
- newNikolay Perviy: Nikolay Perviy joins the USSR.
- newLyogkiy: Lyogkiy joins the USSR as a premium vehicle.
- newHMS Danae: HMS Danae joins Great Britain.
- newHMS Duke of York: HMS Duke of York joins Great Britain as a paid premium pack vehicle.
- newIJN Takao: IJN Takao joins Japan with 203 mm guns and Long Lance torpedoes.
- newAudace: Audace joins Italy.
- newVC-1: VC-1 joins France.
- newLe Hardi: Le Hardi joins France.
- newL-990: L-990 joins France as a premium vehicle.
🎯Custom Battle Ratings(10)
- newSelected aircraft and helicopters can choose a Battle Rating in the hangar, with available weapons and modifications depending on that choice.
- changeAH-60 (Israel): AH-60 (Israel) Ground Battles BR drops from 13.0 to 11.3; Spike ER raises it to 13.0 and new Spike ER (MITL) raises it to 13.7.
- changeEC-665 Tiger HAD: EC-665 Tiger HAD Ground Battles BR drops from 11.3 to 10.7; AGM-114K missiles raise it to 11.3.
- changeEC-665 Tiger HAC: EC-665 Tiger HAC Ground Battles BR drops from 13.0 to 10.7; TRIGAT-LR missiles raise it to 13.0.
- changeEC-665 Tiger UHT: EC-665 Tiger UHT Ground Battles BR drops from 13.0 to 10.7; PARS 3 LR missiles raise it to 13.0.
- changeJ22M1A: J22M1A Ground Battles BR drops from 11.7 to 9.3, with higher BRs depending on guided weapons.
- changeSu-25SM3: Su-25SM3 BR drops from 13.0 to 12.0 in Ground Battles and from 11.7 to 10.7 in Air Battles; Kh-38 missiles raise it to 13.0 and 11.7 respectively.
- changeA-10A: A-10A BR drops from 10.3 to 9.0 in Air Battles and from 11.0 to 9.7 in Ground Battles; specified missiles or GBU-8 bombs restore its former BRs.
- changeSu-39: Su-39 receives additional missiles and bombs, a Khod thermal imaging pod and loadout-dependent BRs; its base Ground Battles BR drops from 12.0 to 11.7.
- changeOther aircraft and helicopters, including Yak-141, JAS39A and Wildcat HMA2, receive loadout-dependent BRs and, in some cases, additional missiles.
🗺️Locations and Missions(4)
- changeSun City: Sun City receives new visual assets and an updated tank mini-map while retaining its familiar layout.
- changeAmerican Desert: American Desert receives new visual assets and an updated tank mini-map while retaining its familiar layout.
- changeRunway building assets and older assets on Breslau, Flanders, Advance to the Rhine, Berlin and Black Sea Port are updated.
- changeAll twelve weather presets receive revised clouds and lighting.
☢️Nuclear Escalation(4)
- change55Zh6 and AN/TPS-59 surveillance radars alternately detect enemy aircraft and share data with teammates.
- changeAt BR 14.0 or higher, Iskander-M and MGM-140 ATACMS replace OTRK “Tochka” and MGM-52 Lance.
- changeCaptures now award 150 team points for a tactical assembly area, 90 for a separate fuel or ammo depot and 45 for a strongpoint.
- changeStrongpoint garrisons periodically attack nearby enemy targets in tank columns, and several missile-system and transport models are updated.
⚙️Game Mechanics(6)
- newDaily Login Streak Freeze: Daily Login Streak Freeze grants one Freeze per 12 login days, stores up to 30 and automatically consumes one for a missed day.
- changeAssault: Air Arcade: Assault: Air Arcade splits the 6.7–12.7 top tier into 6.7–8.0, 8.3–9.7 and 10.0–12.7, with new attacking aircraft and bomber countermeasures.
- changeHelicopter PvE: Helicopter PvE now uses BR brackets up to 9.7, 10.0-11.7 and 12.0 and above, with revised enemy ground vehicles.
- changeHelicopter Arcade Battles BRs now use Realistic Battles values.
- changeEnemy aircraft carriers appear on the tactical map only while spotted; allied carriers remain visible.
- changeSelected vehicles receive more advanced DIRCM simulation with independently damaged jammers, limited sectors and tracking, plus new visual indicators.
🖥️Graphics and Audio(5)
- newDLSS 5: DLSS 5 is available for 50 series GPUs.
- newGround vehicles with real-life brake lights now have functioning brake lights.
- changeSnow, dirt and dust accumulation, wing vapor, bullet smoke trails, water reflections, fog, clouds and firing effects are revised.
- newUnique RWR, LWS and MAWS audio alerts can be enabled in audio settings and are disabled by default.
- changeSelected aircraft receive distinctive flight sounds, and Greek and Indonesian ground crews receive voice updates.
🎨Interface and Customization(3)
- newAnimated player icon frames can be earned through missions with at least 50% activity or purchased for 1,000 Golden Eagles.
- newNew ground vehicle decorations and aviation and ground vehicle decals are available through the specified tasks or Golden Eagles purchases.
- newThe aircraft HUD shows time until the next overheating stage, and targeting-pod indicators flash when a guided weapon cannot launch at the current target.
🐛Bug Fixes(2)
- fixHelicopter PvE: Base anti-air defenses now appear in helicopter PvE, with two SPAA or SAMs per base depending on the BR bracket.
- fixVehicle fixes include EMBT night-vision availability, Hornet Mk.1/Mk.3 premature fuel starvation and Dupleix disappearing when zooming in.
📅Coming Soon(1)
- changeCustom Battle Ratings will be extended to more vehicles over time, but not to every vehicle.
Summary
Vehicles and combat
Eagle’s Shadow adds aircraft, ground vehicles, helicopters and ships, including the Su-15TM, AW249 Fenice and H-39. Some vehicles are sold in paid packs. Selected aircraft and helicopters can choose loadout-dependent Battle Ratings, while ground vehicles gain damageable systems, auxiliary power units and manual loading on supported vehicles.
Bomber damage models, aircraft weapons and flight models also change. Helicopters can retarget compatible guided munitions, and CCRP bombing controls have been simplified.
Modes and presentation
Nuclear Escalation gains working surveillance radars and capture rewards. Helicopter PvE and Assault: Air Arcade receive revised Battle Rating brackets. Sun City and American Desert get visual updates, while DLSS 5 supports 50 series GPUs and weather, smoke and firing effects are revised.
Daily Login Streak Freeze protects missed days using earned Freezes. The update also adds customization, interface and audio options and fixes several vehicle and mode issues.