update · September 10, 2024
War Thunder Dance of Dragons Major Update Adds New Vehicles and Custom Sights
War Thunder's third major update of 2024 brings new aircraft, ground vehicles, and naval testing, alongside a roadmap feature for custom tank sights. The patch also updates multiple map missions and refines helicopter damage models.
War Thunder has launched its third major update of 2024, titled Dance of Dragons. The patch introduces new playable vehicles across nations, starts closed testing for the French Coastal fleet, and delivers several quality-of-life adjustments requested by the community.
New Vehicles Across Nations
The update brings additions to air, ground, and naval trees. Germany receives the Swiss P-16 strike aircraft via the revenue share program and the Puma with Spike missiles. China obtains the JF-17 squadron vehicle, the Al-Khalid-I premium tank, and the J-10A fighter. The US adds the T1E1 with a 90 mm cannon, the F-111F bomber, the AV-8B Night Attack Harrier, and the USS Tennessee battleship. Great Britain receives the Stormer AD and the Australian F-111C. The USSR adds the Su-24M attack aircraft, while Japan and France get the CTWV RCV and CV9035NL squadron vehicles respectively. France also begins closed testing for its Coastal fleet, featuring boats such as the La Combattante.
Custom Tank Sights and Helicopter Damage Models
Fulfilling a 2024 roadmap objective, custom tank sights are now available through a new Sight settings button in Ground vehicle Battle Settings, allowing players to configure rangefinders, field of view, and shot readiness indicators. Helicopter damage models are also refined with separate modules for avionics, weapons control, night vision, countermeasures, and radar. Detailed damage models are applied to the AH-64 and Ka-52, while other helicopters use temporary fuselage integration.
Interface and Quality of Life Upgrades
The secondary weapon selection menu moves to the bottom of the screen, updating ordnance changes in real time and reflecting weight shifts on the aircraft model. The period for marking new vehicles with a golden strip increases from 14 to 28 days to prevent research blocking. In the X-ray interface, a new part filter lets players isolate specific internal modules while hiding others.
Map and Mission Adjustments
Eastern Europe receives a revised mission for low Battle Ratings below 4.0 that features destroyed bridges blocking northern river access, alongside a separate mission variant for higher ratings. Adjustments to rocks, lakes, and spawn sightlines are made on 38th Parallel, Kuban, Iberian Castle, and the Second battle of El Alamein.
Sound and Customization Changes
Ground crew radio distortion is reduced for clarity, and opening cockpit canopies at high speeds now muffles audio. South African ground vehicles receive a dark green camouflage unlock, drop-tank textures match selected aircraft camouflage, and camouflage nets on the Vextra 105 and T-80U-E1 match the vehicle's active color scheme.
Why this patch matters
Dance of Dragons delivers a massive injection of hardware across every branch of the game, paired with UI and roadmap upgrades that modernize customization and controls.