The Trident Strike update for Squad is scheduled to go live at 11:00 AM PT (19:00 GMT) on Wednesday, 12 November. The headline addition is the new Armed Forces of Ukraine faction, alongside fresh vehicles, weapons, commander tools, a revamped Armory, cosmetic packs, an updated Mod SDK, and a large set of bug fixes and balance changes.
AFU faction – what players get
The Armed Forces of Ukraine is introduced as a conventional BLUFOR faction using a mix of modern Ukrainian and modernized Soviet era equipment. It arrives with battlegroups tailored to distinct roles and several new vehicles and emplacements.
- AFU Units
- 95th Air Assault Brigade – Air Assault battlegroup with three helicopters and light vehicles
- 1st Tank Brigade – Armored battlegroup focused on tracked vehicles and main battle tanks
- 11th Army Corps – Combined Arms battlegroup for generalist roles
- 10th Mountain Assault Brigade – Light Infantry battlegroup with AGS-17 emplacement access and extra HAT roles
- 28th Mechanized Brigade – Mechanized battlegroup using tracked vehicles and IFVs
- 58th Motorized Brigade – Motorized battlegroup centered on wheeled vehicles and the BTR-4
- 148th Artillery Brigade – Support battlegroup with logistics and BM-21 Grad MLRS
- 35th Marine Brigade – Amphibious Assault battlegroup for select invasion layers
Selected AFU Vehicles
New and updated vehicle models include both modern Ukrainian designs and reworked interiors for existing vehicles.
- KrAZ-6322 – Utility truck with logistics, transport, and BM-21 Grad artillery variants
- Kozak-2M1 – Open-top MRAP with NSV or AGS-17 weapon variants
- BMP-1TS – Modernized tracked IFV, amphibious and fast
- BTR-4 – Wheeled IFV with a fully modelled interior for all crew and passengers
- T-64BM2 Bulat – Modernized T-64 main battle tank with improved fire control and reactive armor
- BRDM-2M1 – Closed-top scout car with extra passenger seats and a fully modelled interior
- MTLB, BMP-1, BMP-2 – Classic vehicles with AFU camo patterns and updated variants
- Mi-8MTV-5 – Transport helicopter with AFU camo
AFU emplacements and commander abilities
- Stugna-P ATGM emplacement – Remote control via a portable Control Unit usable within 30m, and reloading can be performed by another soldier while the CU operator remains in cover
- AGS-17 AGL emplacement – Heavy automatic grenade launcher deployable at FOBs in tripod or bunker variants
- Commander tools – Precision Bomb Strike calling an SU-25, Bayraktar TB2 recon UAV, 152mm static and creeping artillery barrages
Armory, store, and UI changes
The customization menu has been overhauled and is now called the Armory. Players can preview and inspect any weapon from any faction. The training screen has also been polished. These changes are intended to make customization and loadout checks faster and clearer for both new and returning players.
Last major milestone was the 9.0 update which moved Squad to Unreal Engine 5.5 and set the stage for some of the vehicle and audio updates in 10.0.
Systems and balancing highlights
- Safir with AGS-17 added to GFI air assault battlegroup and similar AGS-17 additions to Tigr and Technical variants across multiple factions
- Scout drones rebalanced to reduce flight ceiling, speed, battery life, and camera magnification, and to fix exploits and collisions with vehicles
- Vehicle handling updated across the board with brake and handbrake tuning, reduced flip chances for some vehicles, and more fully modelled interiors for BRDM-2 scout cars
- Weapon audio updates for several rifles and sound effect improvements for 30mm HE impacts
Cosmetics and packs
- Free Defender AFU Weapon Skin for AFU AK-74 and AKS-74
- Kobzar Pack priced at USD 14.99 with eight cosmetic items tailored to the AFU faction, including woodland skins for rifles, marksman weapons, and a pistol
- Downtime Pack emotes priced at USD 7.99 with three gestures and two emotes for base downtime
Mod SDK
The Mod SDK has been updated to v10.0 and is available on the main Squad Editor branch. Mod versioning now requires mods to be re-cooked with the v10.0 SDK for compatibility. Uploads can include workshop tags to improve discoverability across content types and gameplay focus options.
Bug fixes and map updates
The update carries a long list of fixes covering crashes, exploits, visual issues, audio problems, UI bugs, vehicle behavior, spawn and battlegroup counts, and many map-specific collisions and layer changes. Map memory usage improvements were made for foliage-heavy maps and several Invasion layers were standardized across maps such as Al Basrah, Anvil, Chora, Fallujah, Fools Road, Gorodok, Kamdesh Highlands, Kohat Toi, and Kokan.
Patch Notes – 10.0
Welcome back Squaddies!
Our 10.0 update is just around the corner, releasing at 11:00AM PT (7:00PM GMT) this Wednesday 12th November. The Trident Strike update introduces the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) faction, bug fixes, systems and gameplay updates, and balancing, as well as a new pack of weapon skins, a new pack of emotes, and updates to the store and customization screens.
Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) Faction
The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) are a conventional BLUFOR faction. With modern weapons and vehicles it has all the tools needed to take on conventional REDFOR and Independent factions in the game. Their equipment focuses on a mix of indigenously-produced Ukrainian and modernized Soviet-era equipment.
AFU Units:
- 95th Air Assault Brigade (Air Assault)
- The 95th air assault brigade is the Air Assault battlegroup for AFU. They focus on high mobility with access to three helicopters available immediately, and a variety of light vehicles.
- 1st Tank Brigade (Armored)
- The 1st Tank Brigade is the Armored battlegroup for AFU. They focus on firepower over speed, with access to tracked vehicles and two main battle tanks.
- 11th Army Corps (Combined Arms)
- The 11th Army Corps is the Combined Arms battlegroup for AFU. Jack of all trades, master of none, they have tools for every scenario but lack a focus in any one area.
- 10th Mountain Assault Brigade (Light Infantry)
- The 10th Mountain Assault Brigade is the Light Infantry Battlegroup for AFU. They focus on infantry combat and mobility with access to the AGS-17 grenade launcher emplacements, access to the 5.56 variants of the Malyuk, extra Heavy-Anti Tank role availability, and a variety of MRAPs and light vehicles.
- 28th Mechanized Brigade (Mechanized)
- The 28th Mechanized Brigade is the Mechanized Battlegroup for AFU. They focus on using tracked vehicles and IFVs, using firepower and protection to move infantry close to the enemy for intense assaults.
- 58th Motorized Brigade (Motorized)
- The 58th Motorized Brigade is the Motorized Battlegroup for AFU. They focus on wheeled vehicles and IFVs, making use of the BTR-4 to move mechanized infantry quickly around the battlefield.
- 148th Artillery Brigade (Support)
- The 148th Artillery Brigade is the Support Battlegroup for AFU. They focus on FOB construction with access to extra logistics vehicles, emplacements, as well as artillery – fielding the BM-21 Grad MLRS
- 35th Marine Brigade (Amphibious Assault)
- The 35th Marine Brigade is the Amphibious Assault battlegroup for AFU. This battlegroup is only available on select amphibious assault invasion layers, focusing on amphibious vehicles and overwhelming firepower.
AFU Vehicles:
KrAZ-6322 Utility Truck
3 Variants – Logistics, Transport, BM-21 Grad Artillery
The KrAZ-6322 is a rugged, multi-purpose Ukrainian military truck that serves as the backbone of logistics and mobility on the battlefield. In Squad, it fulfils multiple vital roles: ferrying infantry to the front lines, delivering construction and ammunition supplies to forward bases, and acting as the chassis for the fearsome BM-21 rocket artillery system.
Kozak-2M1 Open-Top Armored Car
2 Variants – NSV Heavy Machinegun, AGS-17 Auto Grenade Launcher
The Kozak-2M1 is a Ukrainian MRAP designed for patrol, convoy escort, and protected troop transport across rough terrain. Seating 9 troops, in Squad it serves as a mobile, armored force multiplier—getting squads safely to objectives while offering immediate suppressive fire and light fire-support. We include two combat variants: one fitted with an NSV 12.7mm heavy machine gun for long-range suppression and light anti-material tasks, and a second armed with an AGS-17 automatic grenade launcher for area suppression and clearing cover.
BMP-1TS Tracked IFV
The BMP-1TS is a modernized infantry fighting vehicle built from the classic BMP-1 chassis, upgraded for improved battlefield relevance. In-game it functions as a fast, amphibious IFV that carries a complement of dismounts into the fight while laying down direct fire support from its turret-mounted cannon and anti-armor launcher.
BTR-4 Wheeled IFV
The BTR-4 is a modern Ukrainian wheeled infantry fighting vehicle designed for mobility, protection, and fire support in combined-arms operations. In Squad it operates as a high speed, road-capable IFV that can transport a full infantry squad, can lay down sustained suppressive fire from its turret-mounted 30mm auto cannon and coaxial machine gun, and can engage light armor with its guided AT missiles. Note this is the first IFV in Squad to have a fully modeled interior for all crew and passengers.
T-64BM2 Bulat Main Battle Tank
The T-64BM2 “Bulat” is a modernized Ukrainian main battle tank that upgrades the classic T-64 platform with improved fire control, reactive armor, and a potent 125mm smoothbore gun. In Squad it serves as a heavyweight spearhead for armored assaults—absorbing punishment, breaching fortified positions, and providing decisive direct fire support for advancing infantry.
BRDM-2M1 Closed-Top Armored Car
The BRDM-2M1 is an indigenously produced Ukrainian variant of the famous scout car. The AFU variant has some minor hull differences and lacks the infamous belly wheels, which allows for a few additional interior seats: 1 driver, 1 gunner and up to 6 passengers. Note this vehicle has a fully modeled interior.
Other notable vehicles
- MTLB Tracked APC – 2 Variants – Logistics, PKT Machinegun
- BMP-1 and BMP-2 – Classic vehicles with unique AFU camo
- Mi-8MTV-5 Transport Helicopter – Classic vehicle with AFU camo
AFU Emplacements:
Stugna-P ATGM Emplacement
Stugna-P is a powerful ATGM emplacement with 2 new special features. The emplacement is remote controlled via a Control Unit resembling a large laptop. Soldiers can pick up the CU and place it within 30m of the launcher, then use the CU to remotely control the launcher, which allows them to remain in cover. The weapon can also be reloaded by any soldier by interacting with the launcher, so the player on the CU can remain in place while a buddy can help them reload.
AGS-17 AGL Emplacement
AGS-17 is a Soviet era heavy hitting Automatic Grenade Launcher Emplacement which rivals the Western equivalent Mk19 AGL. Available to deploy at FOBs with an Iron Sight or Scope, and in a low profile Tripod or Bunker variant. Available for AFU Light Infantry, Air Assault and Support Battlegroups, as well as IMF, MEI, GFI, RGF, VDV Light Infantry and Air Assault Battlegroups.
AFU Weapons:
AK-74 & AKS-74 Rifles
The Classic 5.45mm Rifle platform that has been fully re-modeled for v10.0 and includes several optic variants. Note: more optic options are planned for an upcoming release – take a look at the bottom of the notes!
AK-74
AKS-74
Malyuk Rifle
The Malyuk is Ukraine’s modern bullpup assault rifle, developed as a homegrown evolution of the AK platform. Compact, reliable, and distinctive in silhouette, it reconfigures the classic Kalashnikov design into a shorter, more maneuverable weapon without sacrificing firepower. In Squad, the Malyuk is represented across multiple calibers—5.45x39mm, 7.62x39mm, and 5.56x45mm NATO—giving the Armed Forces of Ukraine a versatile primary weapon suited to a wide range of combat roles and scenarios.
RPK-74 Light Machine Gun
Soviet era 5.45mm LMG that has been fully re-modeled for v10.0.
RPK-74
RPK Light Machine Gun
Soviet era 7.62 Light Machine Gun that has been fully re-modeled for v10.0.
RPK +Drum Mag
SVD Marksman Rifle
Soviet era Marksman Rifle that has been fully re-modeled for v10.0, including an updated model of the PSO-1 Scope.
Zbroyar UAR-10 Marksman Rifle
The UAR-10 is a precision battle rifle developed in Ukraine, chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO. In Squad it provides long-range precision firepower.
PKM Machine Gun
Soviet-era PKM now available to AFU in Iron Sight and 1P29 Scope variants.
RPG-7 and C90-CR
RPG-7 remodeled for v10.0 with upgraded sights. C90-CR is a single-use light AT launcher for fast hit-and-run use.
NLAW
Existing heavy AT weapon from BAF now used by AFU.
AFU Commander Abilities
- Commander Precision Bomb Strike – calls in an SU-25 that drops 2 FAB250 bombs on a precise target area
- Bayraktar TB2 Recon UAV
- 152mm Artillery Static Barrage
- 152mm Artillery Creeping Barrage
Updated Menus
The customization menu is now called the Armory and the store screen is refined. Players can preview and inspect any weapon from any faction. The training screen has been visually improved.
System & Gameplay Updates
- Added Safir armed with an AGS-17 AGL to the GFI air assault battlegroup
- Added Tigr armed with an AGS-17 AGL to the RGF and VDV light infantry battlegroups
- Added Technical armed with an AGS-17 AGL for the IMF and MEI light infantry battlegroups
- Updated Scout Drones have been rebalanced to prevent exploits, encourage reuse, and make them easier to counter
- Reduced max flight ceiling
- Reduced max speed
- Reduced battery life
- Reduced camera magnification
- Fixed exploit of Scout drones being able to flip, stop, or destroy vehicles by colliding with them
- Fixed drone collision issues with vehicles and helicopters. Drones will not survive vehicle collisions, and will no longer be able to flip, stop, or destroy vehicles and helicopters
- Updated ALL vehicles to have improved tuning for brakes and handbrakes
- Updated vehicle handling tuning across all vehicles to coincide with brake improvements
- Updated CPV and Technical to have reduced chances of flipping over during normal maneuvering
- Updated all BRDM-2 Scout Car’s to now have a fully modelled interior
- Updated AKS74U to use new close-up firing sounds
- Updated CRF Bangerite IED with a unique inventory icon
- Updated C7A2 and C8A3 rifle firing sounds
- Updated AK-12 rifle firing sounds
- Updated IMF flag and battlegroup badges
- Improved 30mm HE projectile impact SFX
- Updated VO lines for TLF, IMF, and CAF (SL)
General Bug Fixes
- Fixed a crash related to returning to the main menu
- Fixed an exploit where players could avoid fall damage
- Fixed an issue with various kinds of smoke sometimes disappearing
- Fixed scope lens shadow projecting separately onto the environment
- Fixed several scopes which had incorrect lens tint
- Fixed an issue where reflex sight reticle markings could look too pale when using TSR upscaling
- Fixed the HAR-66 LAT Iron Sights being too blurry
- Fixed C14 Sniper Rifle scope reticle being too bright
- Fixed M1117 smoke launchers having 4 shots instead of 2
- Fixed M39 DMR feeling too rigid when looking around while aiming
- Fixed CAF CH146 CAS Gau-21 HMG Door Gun not using correct 50cal projectiles
- Fixed TLF weapon names missing on multiple kits in the deployment menu dropdown
- Fixed TLF having incorrect voiceovers for squidbot callouts
- Fixed stretched rally point icons for WPMC, VDV, TLF, and USMC squad leaders
- Fixed USMC MATV TOW, USMC M1151 TOW, GFI M1151 TOW costing incorrect amount of tickets
- Fixed the PLANMC Air Assault (Offense) battlegroup not having access to 2x ZTD05
- Fixed vehicle-borne beam-riding ATGMs maintaining guidance when switching weapons
- Fixed BMP-3M hull clipping into the driver viewport
- Fixed BMP-3M driver view missing its left most viewport
- Fixed WPMC Tracked MSV spawner getting disabled when one of its tracks got destroyed
- Fixed Quad Bike’s wheels moving up and down erratically when the vehicle was flipped over
- Fixed a bug where spamming the left mouse button could prevent the anti-tank mine placement animation from playing properly
- Fixed helicopter landing UI sometimes having missing information
- Fixed Support Battlegroups having MBTs when they should not
- Fixed the spawn time for the MEI Support Battlegroup (Offensive)’s T-62 being incorrect
- Fixed MEI battlegroups not having the correct number of Ural375 Transport Trucks
- Fixed PLA and TLF not having command actions listed in the battlegroup info menu
- Fixed USA Rifleman’s M4 weapon descriptions showing incorrect fire mode info on Deployment Menu
- Fixed Armored Technical’s viewport windows being too bright
- Fixed Leopard 2A6M’s turret not aligning properly on the wreck once destroyed
- Fixed the soft lock in deployment screen after switching teams
- Fixed Scout Kits sharing the same kit limit as HAT kits
- Fixed certain Commendations not appearing as options when commending another player
- Fixed Commendation rank images on the after-action report to not appear when reaching rank 2 of a commendation
- Fixed Commendations ranks appearing incorrectly after switching teams
- Fixed a bug that caused the tabs on the main menu to display incorrectly
- Fixed an issue where attempting to switch teams while spawned in with teams being imbalanced would result in respawning while the team change failed
- Fixed weapon descriptions for SV98, C14, Timberwolf Sniper Rifles showing inaccurate magazine capacity
- Fixed TLF Cobra II Armored Car M2 Browning turret yaw getting reset when the reload animation played
- Fixed CAF/WPMC M2 Carl Gustav VFX not appearing as intended
- Fixed SKS & SKS Tazco Rifle not having deploy and undeploy SFX
- Fixed a bug that prevented smoke grenade SFX from looping properly
- Fixed a bug where some elements of the RGD-5/F1 grenade SFX were missing
- Fixed a broken texture on MEI RPG-29 character model
- Fixed an issue with texture shading on the ZTD-05 turret
Map Updates & Bug Fixes
General
- Improved memory usage on foliage-heavy maps
- Invasion – Standardized the capture zone layout for the following maps
- Al Basrah
- Anvil
- Chora
- Fallujah
- Fools Road
- Gorodok
- Kamdesh Highlands
- Kohat Toi
- Kokan
- Fixed various minor collision issues across some of our maps
Black Coast
- Added an Invasion v3 layer
Gorodok
- Added an Invasion v3 layer
Harju
- Fixed a bug that prevented players from climbing the ladder on the crane tower at the construction site
Yehorivka
- Fixed a bug that caused the grass to disappear under the map
New Weapon Skins
Defender – AFU Weapon Skin (Free!)
This new skin for the AFU AK-74 and AKS-74 rifles has been added to your Armory.
Kobzar Pack (USD 14.99)
This new pack contains eight new cosmetic items for the new AFU faction including woodland skins for AK-74, AKS-74, Malyuk, RPKs, PKM, SVD, UAR-10, RPG-7, and Makarov pistol variants.
New Emotes
Downtime Pack (USD 7.99)
The Downtime Pack adds three new gestures and two new emotes for base downtime including Shadow Boxing and Brick Breaker among others.
Mod SDK Update
- Updated the Mod SDK to v10.0. It is available on the main Squad Editor branch
- Updated mod versioning to v10.0. All mods will need to be re-cooked with the v10.0 SDK to be compatible
- Fixed the issue with prefab tool plugin which prevented drag and drop of prefab assets from the content browser to the level
- Added the ability to attach workshop tags to mods on upload to help discoverability
That’s all for 10.0. The team is already working on 10.1 which will contain more bug fixes, balancing changes, and vehicle updates. The majority of scopes and optics on the AFU will be updated to be more accurate to their 2022 era. This change came from Playtesting Discord feedback and playtests.
Here’s a sneak peek of what’s coming in 10.1:
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