📜Pages of History (February): Operation Detachment

In Pages of History this month, you will find yourself at the center of events that took place in various theaters of war. From Iwo Jima and Narva, Laos and Iraq: participate in battles while using vehicles linked to these historic battles and get some prizes!

🏪From February 1st until February 28th, you will be able to participate in 8 tasks consecutively. Completing each task will grant you a trophy with a reward, completing all of the tasks will earn you a unique profile background!

🎯Operation Detachment was the code name for the American amphibious operation to capture Iwo Jima. On February 19th 1945, the first U.S. landing on the beaches of Iwo Jima took place under Japanese fire. On February 23rd, Mount Suribachi was captured, where the famous photograph of the raising of the American flag was taken. On March 26th, the island finally fell under American control.

❗️You can purchase this profile background for Golden Eagles until March 3rd (11:30 GMT) without completing tasks. To find it, go to your Nickname → Achievements → Pages of History.

🎁Trophy reward for each task

Completing each individual task will give you a trophy with one of the following rewards:
▪️20-50% RP booster for 3-10 battles;
▪️20-50% SL booster for 3-10 battles;
▪️3-5 universal backups;
▪️Premium account for 1 day;
▪️A random camouflage for ground vehicles (out of the selection of camouflages currently obtainable in game for completing tasks, or purchasing with Golden Eagles).

Other terms
▪️Tasks are available from 11:00 GMT until 11:30 GMT on the final day of each task.
▪️Tasks can be completed in random battles except for “Assault” mode.

You can read a detailed description of which task is for which day and your overall progress by going to your Nickname → Achievements → Pages of History.

🛠Update 2.53.0.72

Battle Ratings
▪️The Planned Battle Rating changes have come into effect.

Aircraft
▪️A bug where the missile launch zone indication was not displayed on the radar indicator unless the target was also locked on by the targeting pod when it was being used has been fixed.
▪️A bug where airborne respawn points were displayed incorrectly on the horizontal situation display MFD page of modern aircraft has been fixed.
▪️A bug that could cause the lock-on to “drift” away from the target in some cases when infrared air-to-air missiles locked onto targets that weren’t using countermeasures has been fixed.
▪️A bug that could cause the artificial horizon in the cockpits of some aircraft to abruptly move around when performing a barrel roll to the left has been fixed.

Ground Vehicles
▪️A bug where the choice of ammunition on a random vehicle in battle was applied to the game vehicle owned by the player has been fixed. The ammunition settings are now saved separately both for random vehicles and for vehicles owned by the player.
▪️A bug where random SAM systems in Ground Battles had access to researchable missiles has been fixed.
▪️T-55AM-1 — a bug where the turret model in the damage indicator was displayed incorrectly has been fixed.
▪️H.35 — a bug where some armor parts did not rotate with the turret has been fixed.

Interface
▪️A bug where the vehicle research bonus bar would display incorrectly if there was no visible premium, squadron or special vehicles in the tree has been fixed. For example, this issue occurred in the Japanese helicopter research tree.
▪️A bug that caused the flags of nations to extend beyond the border of the “Vehicles Collector” profile showcase has been fixed.
▪️A bug that prevented detailed missile characteristics from being displayed in the menu and in combat for Multi-Vehicle SAM Systems before switching to the launcher has been fixed.
▪️A bug where the “AUTO” label was not displayed in the interface for aircraft mounted guns when the ballistic computer for air targets was enabled has been fixed.
▪️A bug where the amount of ammunition in the launchers of Multi-Vehicle SAM Systems was not displayed in the action panel in replays when observing the TADS vehicle has been fixed.

Graphics
▪️A bug where ammunition racks would disappear in the hangar and the detail of the ammunition itself would be reduced when NVIDIA Ansel was enabled has been fixed.

Customization
▪️KW I C 756 (r) (Germany) — location conditions for the standard camouflage have been adjusted from forest to desert.
▪️MiG-29N (Japan) — a description of the anniversary camouflage of the Royal Malaysian Air Force has been corrected.
▪️A bug that prevented the “Fireworks mortar” decoration from working when using it on Multi-Vehicle SAM Systems has been fixed.

➡️LEARN MORE

‼️Rank IX Aircraft and Reshuffles to the Aviation and Ground Vehicle Research Trees

✈️At the beginning of March, we’ll be introducing rank IX for aircraft research trees. This rank will include some existing top-tier aircraft, while some rank VIII aircraft will be grouped or relocated. Comparison images of the trees before and after the changes can be seen below. Check them out!

🔫In the near future, several armored vehicles in the USSR and Chinese research trees will be moved. Comparison images of the trees before and after the changes can be seen below. Check them out!

These changes are aimed at improving the research tree structure and aligning the vehicle Battle Ratings with their ranks to ensure progression is smoother. Affected vehicles are marked with a special icon in the game.

We’re announcing upcoming changes in advance to give you the opportunity to plan your tech tree research with an understanding of how the tech trees will look in the near future.

➡️LEARN MORE

🛠It’s fixed! №112

Today, we’ve rounded up and will be covering some of the bug fixes and improvements that we’ve made to the game today and over the past few weeks. If you’d like to catch up on every fixed bug, then be sure to check out the changelog section on our website.

If you’ve found a bug that you’d like to report, you can do so on our community bug reporting platform.

✅Ammunition From Random Vehicles Fix

We recently added a random vehicle mechanic to the game, designed to help players expand their respawn options at high Battle Ratings. If you had the same vehicle in your hangar that you also randomly received in battle, your vehicle would retain the ammo selection from the random vehicle.

Ammunition selection settings are now saved separately for your vehicle and for random vehicles in battle.

✅IR Seeker Fix

Sometimes, air-to-air missiles with infrared seekers would behave incorrectly. A bug in the target prolongation mechanics caused seekers to drift away from the target immediately after they locked on, even though the target hadn’t even deployed countermeasures. This would occur until the seeker reacquired the target, at which point it would lock on correctly. We’ve fixed this, and seekers will no longer drift away from their target without cause!

✅Problems With Radars Fix

Recently, phased array radars developed an issue. After a previous update, they began incorrectly calculating target velocities when tracking a large number of targets. Another issue caused the missile launch zone indicator to fail to display on the radar display when a targeting pod was attached to the aircraft until the target was also locked on by the targeting pod. We’ve fixed both issues.

✅Ghosts Of Dead Trees Fix

It’s long past Halloween, but something strange started happening to the trees. Sometimes, when hit, they simply vanish... and then their roots or stumps appear in the most unexpected places on other parts of the map! You rub your eyes, look through the sniper scope, and they disappear again... it’s truly mystical!

In reality this wasn’t anything magical, but an error that occurred because the hidden object buffer wasn’t cleared. Farewell, tree ghosts!

✅Other graphical errors

Decals are often seen on various buildings, as they’re an additional layer of textures that makes the building more expressive in appearance. These can be, for example, traces of shell hits or simply snow stuck to the wall. However due to an error, these decals did not appear on the walls fully, instead they only appeared partially, with parts of the buildings remaining without these details, which looked strange.

Another bug only occurred when shadows were set to high or very high quality. When the sun was low on the horizon, the shadows of mountains cast on the tank part of the location would sometimes start to flicker, distracting players. We’ve fixed these issues.

❗️That’s not all

Check out the full list of fixes and improvements in the update notes below! Here’s some more: ammunition boxes can be replaced after 15 seconds, the artificial horizon in the cockpits no longer jerks when performing a left roll, and you can now view detailed missile characteristics when playing Multi-Vehicle SAM Systems before switching to the launcher.

➡️Update 04.02.2026
➡️Update 2.53.0.72
➡️Update 2.53.0.70
➡️Update 2.51.0.65

✈️Bullet Hell Returns Today, With Changes!

Last November, we hosted a three day event where top-tier aircraft fought each other... with just guns! No air-to-air missiles or other armaments were allowed. We saw the positive response, have taken in feedback, and will be rerunning this event for four days. Check out what we’ve changed below!

📆When: February 5th (11:00 GMT) until February 9th (11:00 GMT).

🎯Where: Events and Tournaments -> Bullet Hell.

🔼Changes since the first Bullet Hell iteration

▪️The minimum Battle Rating has been extended to 8.3 (instead of 12.7), allowing you to you to use lower-tier jets. Aircraft without guns cannot be used.
▪️Matchmaking is +-1.0 Battle Rating based (like Realistic Battles).
▪️Added a requirement for a minimum of two suitable aircraft in your crew slots to play this mode (max respawns are three, and two aircraft are required).
▪️Removed the respawn cost and replaced it with the standard respawn mechanics for multiple aircraft and backups and repair costs, like in Air Arcade Battles.
▪️Added a HUD icon for the rearm zone when you’re out of ammo.
▪️Tweaked the vehicle repair cost, reward multiplier, and activity calculation coefficients.
▪️Fixed a bug where the reloading hint was being sent to all players in a mission when one player entered the rearm zone and started reloading.

❓Other rules

▪️Bullet Hell pits two teams of eight against each other in jet aircraft with just cannons as weaponry. The first team to destroy 20 enemy aircraft wins!
▪️All secondary weapons that you bring into a battle (except for cannons) will be automatically discarded when you spawn in. External fuel tanks can be used in battle in a loadout consisting of them alone or with them and cannons.
▪️Each pilot has 3 respawns available.
▪️Battles take place in Realistic mode with markers.
▪️You can replenish fuel and ammunition at the spawn point.

🏆War Thunder Championship Series 2026 Plans!

As the dust settles on an unforgettable 2025 season, we stand on the threshold of a brand new year for War Thunder Esports, with 2026 promising to be bigger, bolder, and more competitive than ever.

This year, War Thunder Esports continues its evolution with refined formats, higher stakes, and expanded opportunities for players across the globe. From rising talents to seasoned veterans, 2026 is designed to reward skill, dedication, and strategic mastery at every level of play.

Throughout the year, the competitive calendar will once again be shaped by a series of major events, each pushing teams to their limits and offering unforgettable moments for players and spectators alike. New challenges await, familiar rivalries return, and the path to glory has never been clearer or more demanding.

In this announcement, we’ll take you through what’s new for 2026 and what to expect from the upcoming competitive season.

➡️LEARN MORE

👋Say Hello To My Little Friend

🔥🔥🔥Don’t Miss Out On Discounts in the Gaijin.Net Store!

Warm up on a cold February day with warm clothes, delicious coffee, and the joy of victories in War Thunder! Expand your vehicle lineup with premium vehicles at a great discount!

📆When: From February 9th (11:00 GMT) until February 16th (11:00 GMT), the following packs are available in the Gaijin.Net store at a 50% discount:

🔹CF-188 Hornet Pack
🔹MiG-23ML Pack
🔹JH-7A Prototype Pack
🔹USS Maryland Pack

🏰Only the oldest War Thunder archaeologists know this site...

🇯🇵Don’t Miss Out on Decals, Discounts, and Rare Vehicles for Japan’s National Foundation Day!

Ancient Japanese chronicles date the accession of the first Emperor Jimmu to the first day of the first month of 660 BCE. During the transition to the Gregorian calendar in the Meiji era, this date was aligned with February 11th and made into a holiday. Japan widely celebrated the 2,600th anniversary of the founding of the empire in 1940. After World War II, the celebrations were discontinued, but in the mid-1960s they were resumed with refined wording, eliminating any mention of the empire. It is a patriotic holiday, marked by the flying of flags and numerous local festivals.

🛍Discounts in the Gaijin.net Store!

📆When: From February 11th (07:00 GMT) until February 18th (07:00 GMT).

🔹Type 16 (FPS) Pack -50%
🔹Type 90B "Fuji" Pack -50%
🔹Type 74 Red Star Pack -50%
🔹F-2A ADTW Pack -50%
🔹IJN Nagato Pack -50%
🔹Hawk 209 Pack -50%

➡️Japan National Day packs -50%

🏪IJN Kiyoshimo is temporarily available for 4880 Golden Eagles and the A6M5 Ko is temporarily available for 3850 Golden Eagles!

📆When: From February 11th (07:00 GMT) until February 18th (07:00 GMT).
Where: Japan > Bluewater fleet / Aviation > Premium vehicles.

▪️The IJN Kiyoshimo (rank III) was a Yugumo-class destroyer that fought in the Pacific theater of operations in 1944. Its key features were speed, impressive anti-aircraft defense, and devastating 610 mm torpedoes. It is an excellent support ship!

▪️The A6M5 Ko (rank IV) is an early modification of the A6M5 carrier-based fighter, with an additional 50 rounds of ammo. At its rank, almost nothing can match its maneuverability! Two 20 mm cannons and two 7.7 mm machine guns will punish any enemy that gets too close, and it can even mount bombs for some light CAS duties.

⭐️Open the “Japan’s National Foundation Day” trophy!

📆When: From February 11th (07:00 GMT) until February 18th (07:00 GMT).

Task: Earn 3,000 mission points in battles where you used Japan vehicles at rank III or higher to receive the “Japan’s National Foundation Day” trophy!

Inside this trophy, you’ll receive one of four decals that were previously available on this day

If you already have all four decals, you’ll receive a trophy and get one of the following when opening it:

▪️20-50% Research Point booster for 3-10 battles
▪️20-50% Silver Lion booster for 3-10 battles
▪️3-5 universal backups
▪️1 day of Premium account

❗️Please note: After finishing the task, you need to collect the reward manually.

Additional details:
You can complete the task in random battles, except for [Assault] mode.
Track your progress in the hangar by clicking Nickname → Achievements → Holidays → Japan’s National Foundation Day.

💖Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Decals, Decorations and the Return of a Rare Tank!

Celebrating Valentine’s Day on February 14th is a charming tradition dating back to the Middle Ages. Valentine cards, flowers, and chocolates became symbols of the day in the 19th and 20th centuries. War Thunder has its own Valentines day traditions, there’s a themed decal trophy, a trophy with Valentine-themed decorations and the rare MK-IX “Valentine” tank!

🎁Valentine’s Day Trophy with Decals and Decorations!

🏪When: From February 13th (11:00 GMT) until February 16th (11:00 GMT).
Task: Earn 3,000 mission points in battles where you used vehicles from any nation at rank III or higher to receive the “Valentine’s Day (Decals)” trophy!

🏪When: From February 13th (11:00 GMT) until February 16th (11:00 GMT).
Task: Earn a total of 20,000 mission points while using any vehicle at rank III or higher to earn the Valentine’s Day (Decorators) trophy!

🛍Valentine’s Day Trophies in the in-game Item Shop

Trophies with themed decals and decorations are available in the in-game Item Shop for Golden Eagles! The decal trophy contains the four decals listed above and also others given out on Valentine’s Day in previous years. Opening a trophy will reward you with a decal or decoration that you don’t already have.

🔫The MK-IX “Valentine” is temporarily available for 1,000 Golden Eagles!

When: From February 13th (11:00 GMT) until February 16th (11:00 GMT).
Where: USSR > Army > Premium vehicles.

The MK-IX “Valentine” is a British tank supplied to the USSR under Lend-Lease. Its 57 mm gun has good penetration even at long ranges, making it a popular choice for countering German tanks. Its good turret armor and gun depression make it ideal for sniper roles. While its armor can hold up in general, it lacks reverse speed and a machine gun, so very close range engagements can be a little more risky.

🐎Get the Dutch F-16A in the Workhorse Event!

The Year of the Horse is approaching, and to celebrate, we’re offering you a true workhorse of Western air forces: the ever-popular F-16A fighter in its Dutch configuration. And along with it, the emblems of two Royal Netherlands Air Force squadrons flying the F-16A. 322 Squadron traces its history back to the Second World War, when it flew with the Royal Air Force. In the 1980s, both squadrons received their F-16As and remain loyal to them to this day!

📆From February 19th (11:00 GMT) until March 9th (11:00 GMT), earn mission points in Air Battles, unlock stages and receive rewards!

🇳🇱🇫🇷F-16A — An Event Vehicle Dutch Jet Fighter for France at Rank VIII

The F-16A Block 5 is an early variant of the renowned American jet fighter, produced in the Netherlands, among other countries. It is a fast, maneuverable aircraft with an excellent rate of climb. The Dutch F-16A is armed with a 20 mm Vulcan cannon and guided missiles for close-range air-to-air combat. For anti-ground engagements, it can carry both unguided ordnance and AGM-65B Maverick air-to-ground missiles.

➡️LEARN MORE

🚁The BO 105 CB-2 is Temporarily Available at a Discounted Price to Celebrate its First Flight Anniversary!

The maiden flight of the light twin-engine Bo 105 helicopter took place on February 16th 1967 at the Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm airfield in Ottobrunn near Munich. The prototype took to the air with a new hingeless four-blade hub and composite blades, the key innovation of the project. The Bo 105 became the first production helicopter with a rigid rotor and one of the first light twin-engine helicopters. Its design guaranteed reliability and durability, and thanks to it, the Bo 105 could perform aerobatic maneuvers and found wide application in both military and civilian service.

🏪The BO 105 CB-2 is temporarily available at a 30% discount for 5,992 Golden Eagles!

📆When: From February 16th (10:00 GMT) until February 19th (10:00 GMT).
Where: Germany > Helicopter > Premium vehicles.

▪️The BO 105 CB-2 is an experimental version of the Bo 105, developed for the Swedish Army’s anti-tank helicopter competition. This version features improved optics and the American BGM-71 TOW anti-tank guided missile system. Use the helicopter’s maneuverability and compact size to evade threats and launch sudden, precise strikes against enemy armored vehicles!

🕵️‍♂️Community Update No.10: Starting The Year Off!

Hey everyone! Welcome to the first Community Update of 2026, where we’re going to be talking about what’s coming as well as some other bits and bobs. So sit back, grab your favourite snack and read on!

❗️Disclaimer: While we’re excited to be able to share work-in-progress information before dev blogs, the dev server and the full release, please bear in mind that new features, vehicles and maps mentioned in this news are subject to change, be delayed or even cancelled. War Thunder is constantly being developed, and as with all game development, unexpected delays or other unforeseen circumstances may occur. Thank you for your interest!

🎁Free Decal code!

We love giving out free decals! We’ve made this specifically for this news post, you can place it on your aircraft (or tanks!) to alert other players of your skills!

Simply enter code STUDENTPILOT here!

Once you’ve logged in, the decal can be found under:

“Student Pilot” decal: Decals > Special > Other

📆The decal code will remain active from the publish date of this news until March 2nd (10:00 GMT).

🛍New Community Update Pack!

🔹How To Fly profile icon
🔹Anti-Air Trees decal
🔹“The Missile Knows Where It Is” title
🔹300 Golden Eagles

✅The Major Update

▪️11th Crew Slot Changes
▪️New Crew Skill Window
▪️Torpedo Lines On The Mini-Map
▪️Hit Icons
▪️New Display of crew

✅Continuing on

▪️Cockpits
▪️Vehicles
▪️Updates to existing jet aircraft
▪️White Rock Fortress returns with visual improvements!

✅Next Event

➡️LEARN MORE

Thanks for giving this Community Update a read, we hope it gives you some things to look forward to in the next update, see you soon!

The War Thunder Team