More Realistic Naval Battles Await in War Thunder
War Thunder has received a major new content drop, as Gaijin Entertainment rolls out the Ninth Wave update for its popular online military combat title. The update introduces rank IX aviation, adds domestic Hungarian aircraft, and significantly enhances naval battles with a complete overhaul of water physics and visual effects.
Naval combat sees one of the biggest improvements in this update. The newly implemented subsurface scattering system allows light to interact more naturally with water, giving oceans a greater sense of depth and realism. Reflections now change more accurately depending on viewing angles, while sea foam behaves dynamically thanks to swirl physics and wave resonance. The developers also refined the Interactions between water and objects, making explosions and torpedo movements feel more lifelike during intense engagements.
The update also expands the game’s roster with several standout vehicles. Among them is the Chinese J-15T multirole carrier-based fighter, equipped with advanced radar systems and powerful WS-10B engines. It supports a wide range of weaponry, including anti-ship missiles across 12 hardpoints. Meanwhile, Italy’s Centauro II tank destroyer arrives with improved survivability through its redesigned turret and an upgraded 720-horsepower engine capable of exceeding 100 km/h.
On the defensive side, the Russian Pantsir-SM-SV air defense system brings enhanced radar detection and new missile types, allowing players to counter both long-range and close-range threats more effectively. Rounding out the update is the addition of the French aircraft carrier Foch, further expanding naval gameplay options.