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Battle Pass Season 24: “Do It Yourself” and Its Warbond Shop!
Crews often have to operate in the field. When there’s no fully equipped hangar with tools and specialists nearby, resourcefulness and ingenuity come into play! We’re dedicating Battle Pass Season 24 to the makeshift mechanics and resourceful engineers ready for the boldest improvisations. This season’s vehicle rewards were born from improvisation: the Romanian IAR-81 fighter fitted with a Bf 109G engine, and a Somali modification of the Italian FIAT 6616 armored car, equipped with a 57 mm rocket pod!
Updated Nuclear Escalation: Vietnam!
We’re returning the Nuclear Escalation mode to the Vietnam era for aircraft with Battle Ratings of 8.7-11.0! MiG-21s vs F-105s, Shrikes vs S-75s, the air war over Vietnam was ruthless, and now you can find yourself at the heart of a hypothetical escalation of that conflict. Here are the details!
  • 2 September 2026
The German Tempest Mk V is Available at a Discount to Mark the Anniversary of its First Flight!
In 1941–42, Hawker worked on five variants of a new fighter intended to succeed the Typhoon. The versions differed in their engines, and the Mk V design, powered by the Napier Sabre II, was the first to be completed. It made its maiden flight on September 2nd, 1942, and soon entered mass production. The Tempest Mk V entered service in January 1944 and saw extensive use during the final years of the Second World War.
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  • 2 September 2026
Get two new decals for the Victory over Japan Day!
Hostilities in the Pacific theater during the Second World war did not cease even as Europe marked the end of the war on its own soil. Japan refused to back down until the very end. However, faced with the imminent arrival of vast Allied forces freed up from other fronts combined with the rout of the Kwantung Army by Soviet-Mongolian troops and the use of atomic weapons, Emperor Shōwa accepted the terms of the Potsdam Declaration, which demanded Japan’s unconditional surrender. He announced this to the nation on August 15th 1945, and the instrument formally ending the Second World War was signed on September 2nd.
  • 2 September 2026
AW159 Wildcat HMA2: The Cat with Many Claws!
A modernized “Super Lynx” development, the AW159 is a multi-role naval helicopter with a huge number of air-launched munitions!
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  • 2 September 2026
Pre-order: Giulio Cesare — Caesar Adest!
The die is cast captains, Giulio Cesare will be joining War Thunder in the next major update as a premium battleship for Italy’s Bluewater fleet!
Get the F-16XL in the Space Program Event!
The F-16XL is a variant of the F-16 featuring a delta wing, increased fuel capacity, and an expanded number of hardpoints. In 1981, the F-16XL lost the competition to the F-15E Strike Eagle; in 1988, the two prototypes that had been built were transferred to NASA, where they were used during the 1990s for supersonic laminar flow research. Get this unique aircraft, complete with a special camouflage, a loading screen, and themed decals in the Space Program aircraft event!
Changes to Bomber Survivability
You may remember that we mentioned bomber damage model changes and increased survivability in the latest Community Update post. Well today we’re ready to share some details about the new damage model for bombers that we’re preparing for in the next major update!
Discount on the F-20A to Mark the Anniversary of its First Flight!
The F-20 fighter, developed by Northrop, made its maiden flight on August 30th 1982. It was an aircraft of such high quality that it was ready for mass production; however, all potential buyers ultimately opted for the F-16. The F-20 went down in history as “the best fighter that no one bought”!
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  • 28 August 2026
Special
The Military Survival Kit!
A survival kit is a test pilot’s trusty companion, where everything essential is tightly packed and stowed under the seat. At one of NASA’s research centers, a new experimental machine is being readied for flight, and its pilot can rest easy as the survival kit is in place. We’ve got one for you as well, although instead of signal flares and rations, it’s packed with rewards from past events and useful consumables. Hopefully you won’t need to eject to get your hands on it!
Pages of History (September): Night Witch
In Pages of History this month, you will find yourself at the center of events that took place in various theaters of war. From the USSR and Germany to Iran and India: participate in battles while using vehicles linked to these historic battles and get some prizes!
Pre-order: PLZ45 — Thunderous Response
Today, pre-orders for the PLZ45, the Chinese self-propelled gun with a long-barreled howitzer have started!
Reward for When the Enemy Abandons a Tank or Ship!
Air battles has long featured a mechanic that awards a kill when a player abandons their vehicle: if you bail out, the kill is credited to the nearest enemy within a certain radius. You’ve asked us to bring this to Ground and Naval Battles, and we’re pleased to say that with the release of the next major update, this reward mechanic is coming to these modes! After all, no one likes encountering players who bail out when cornered or when your bomb is about to hit them.
Reshuffles to the Ground Vehicle Research Trees in the Next Major Update
Hey everyone! With the release of the next major update, several ground vehicles in several research trees will be moved. Comparison images of the trees before and after the changes can be seen below. Check it out!
New Darwin Hill Location and Map Improvements!
Today we’re covering the Darwin Hill map, improvements to Red Desert and a visual overhaul to two air maps!
Ki-93-I Ko: Saigo no Bushi
A rare Japanese interceptor will be making its way to the research tree in the next major update! Featuring a powerful 57 mm cannon, the Ki-93 will bring some serious firepower to the battlefield!
The Indonesian Hawk 209 Returns at a Discount for the Hawk’s First Flight!
The maiden flight of the Hawk strike aircraft, developed by Hawker Siddeley, took place on August 21st 1974. It was widely exported, with over 1,000 units produced in total. Many remain in service to this day, including with the Indonesian Air Force.
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  • 21 August 2026
New MFDs and HMDs!
Today, we’re showcasing several new Multi-Function Display screens for aircraft, as well as improvements to Helmet-Mounted Displays, coming in the next War Thunder update!