Recently, Gaijin Entertainment announced the next War Thunder update: “Ninth Wave”. This update, scheduled for release in “mid-March,” will introduce Rank IX jets, the “most modern generation of 4+ aircraft,” to the free-to-play war shooter. These include the F/A-18F and the Su-30SM2. The former is a two-seat modification of a fighter-bomber armed with numerous AMRAAM radar homing missiles.

On the topic of new aircraft, players can expect Hungarian fighter jets to be added to the Italian aviation tech tree. The first of these will be the Héja I and II fighters, based on the Reggiane Re 2000 monoplane. The Héja I features an 8mm steel backplate – meaning it’s heavier but more difficult to take down. The Héja features a new propeller engine system and Hungarian heavy Gebauer 1940.M GKM machine guns.

In addition to the new aircraft, the Ninth Wave update also includes redesigns of certain maps, such as White Rock Fortress and Ardennes. Both were more or less rebuilt from the ground up to meet modern graphics standards. However, experienced players shouldn’t have any trouble finding their way around.