War Thunder’s New Pre-Orders Offer a Thermal-Sighted Tank and Rank VIII Gripen
The Olifant Mk.1B Optimering is priced at 59.99, while the JAS39-5 pack costs 79.99.
War Thunder’s latest pre-orders put a Rank VI British tank with thermal imaging alongside a Rank VIII Swedish multirole fighter. Gaijin opened pre-orders for the Olifant Mk.1B Optimering and JAS39-5 on Nov. 4, 2026, through its Steam announcement.
The Olifant Optimering brings thermal imaging to Rank VI
The South African Olifant Mk.1B Optimering is listed for Great Britain at Rank VI. Its new turret improves frontal protection, and blowout panels are designed to protect the crew if ammunition detonates. The tank carries a 105 mm gun, the same caliber and model found on the Olifant Mk.2, and can fire DM63 APFSDS rounds. Unlike the Mk.2, the Optimering also has a thermal imager.
The 59.99 pack includes 15 days of Premium account time, 2,000 Golden Eagles, the War Elephant title and a matching decal. The tank still has a cramped crew layout and is vulnerable to fire from the side, weaknesses inherited from its Centurion lineage.
The JAS39-5 mixes air-to-air and strike weapons
Sweden’s Rank VIII JAS39-5 is a pre-production variant of the Gripen. Its high speed and maneuverability suit its multirole design. For air combat, RB 99 active radar-homing missiles cover long-range engagements, semi-active radar-homing missiles serve at medium range, and all-aspect infrared missiles offer a close-range option.
The fighter can also carry laser-guided bombs, television-guided air-to-surface missiles and unguided weapons. External countermeasure pods can mount on underwing hardpoints alongside air-to-air missiles. Gaijin says the JAS39-5’s specifications may change before it is added to the game.
The 79.99 pack comes with 30 days of Premium account time, 3,000 Golden Eagles, the Smart Fighter title and a Royal Griffin decal. Which feature stands out more to you, the Olifant’s thermal imager or the JAS39-5’s mix of air-to-air and strike weapons? For more on War Thunder’s vehicle additions and any revisions to the JAS39-5, stay connected on X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram, Steam, and Telegram.
War Thunder
Developed by Gaijin Entertainment
War Thunder is a free-to-play vehicular combat MMO featuring aircraft, ground vehicles, and naval craft spanning from the early 20th century to the modern era. Players progress through technology trees across multiple nations, unlocking increasingly advanced military vehicles. The game offers three realism tiers for each vehicle type: arcade, realistic, and simulator modes. Originally developed as a flight simulator under the name "World of Planes," the game expanded to include tanks in 2014 and naval forces later, becoming a combined-arms experience. A mobile version was released in 2023.
- Genre Shooter, Simulator, Tactical
- Platforms Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Mac, Xbox One
- Perspective First person, Third person, Virtual Reality
- Modes Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative, Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO)
- Release January 28, 2013
- Publisher Gaijin Entertainment
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