Eagle’s Shadow brings the F-15EX to War Thunder and changes how some jets are matched

The F-15EX gives War Thunder’s Eagle’s Shadow update its name, but one of the biggest changes happens before pilots leave the hangar. The update, released on 11 November 2026, lets selected aircraft enter battles at different Battle Ratings depending on their available loadouts. It also adds the Leopard 2A8, revises how damage affects ground vehicles and gives Sun City and American Desert a visual overhaul while keeping their original layouts.

Researching better weapons no longer has to move every eligible jet up

For aircraft included in the new system, unlocking more advanced weapons opens up a higher Battle Rating (BR) option in the hangar. Researching the modification doesn’t automatically move the aircraft up. Pilots can choose to stay at their current rating with the corresponding loadout or take the more capable weapons into a higher-rated battle. That means researching an upgrade no longer closes off the original matchmaking option for those aircraft.

Gaijin is starting with selected aircraft and plans to expand the system where the gap in weapon capability is significant. It’s worth checking the hangar options for the specific aircraft you fly: the feature applies to eligible vehicles, and the choice is between the ratings and loadouts the game offers for that aircraft.

From the F-15EX to a Fulmar with 8,000 rounds

The US tree gains the F-15EX, with powerful engines and a broad selection of air-to-air and air-to-ground loadouts. Its in-game options include a configuration with up to 12 active radar-homing missiles. Israel receives its own Eagle variant, the F-15IA Ra’am II, while the Soviet tree adds the Su-15TM with the newly introduced R-98MR and R-98MT missiles. Sweden’s JAS39-5 also arrives as a premium pack aircraft.

At the other end of the roster, Britain’s Second World War Fulmar Mk.II brings 8,000 rounds of ammunition. It’s a striking addition in an update named after a modern fighter, and it gives players working through the earlier aircraft ranks something new to try as well. The aviation additions also extend to helicopters, with Italy receiving the AW249 Fenice and the Soviet Mi-8TV getting a new cockpit.

The Leopard 2A8 arrives as ground damage gets more detailed

Germany’s top-tier Leopard 2A8 comes with the Trophy Active Protection System, which can intercept incoming missiles in-game. Sweden’s tree receives Norway’s Leopard 2A8NO, while the American Stingray II and the South African Olifant Mk.1B Optimering join as premium packs.

The new ground modules can affect what a vehicle is still able to do after taking a hit. Damage to the fire-control system can knock out thermals, night vision and the rangefinder. Losing the electrical system can take more equipment offline, including the stabiliser and autoloader. On vehicles fitted with an auxiliary power unit, some electrical systems can keep running after the main engine is knocked out. Two vehicles that survive a similar hit may therefore have very different options for the rest of the engagement.

The update also lets crews manually load the gun when the autoloader runs out of ready ammunition or is disabled. There’s a trade-off: while the loader is busy keeping the gun firing, the autoloader rack won’t refill. A pause in firing gives the crew time to replenish it.

Clearer bombing controls, familiar maps and a more forgiving login streak

Pilots using CCRP bombing no longer need a dedicated release button, and they can release bombs manually even with a point of interest selected. Gaijin has also repositioned the automatic release indicator so it takes up less of the view. On the ground, Sun City and American Desert retain their layouts, so familiar routes still apply despite the visual refresh. The update also revises dirt accumulation, firing effects, smoke and fire.

Away from matches, login streak freezes give regular players some room to miss a day. Gaijin’s breakdown specifies one freeze point per 12 login days, which don’t have to be consecutive, with up to 30 points stored. Points apply automatically if the balance covers the missed days. If the gap is longer than the points available, the streak resets and the points are kept. The feature is available without a Premium account. More information here.