War Thunder’s New British Scimitar Mk.2 Brings a Very Fast Reverse Gear
The Rank VI event vehicle combines a 30 mm APDS cannon with added armor and forward and reverse speeds of up to 80 km/h.
War Thunder has introduced the Scimitar Mk.2, a British Rank VI light tank that serves as the vehicle reward for the Scimitar Strike event. Gaijin Entertainment detailed the vehicle in its Steam announcement, which was published on July 23, 2026.
The Scimitar Mk.2 keeps the quick, reconnaissance-focused identity of the existing Scimitar while adding a new turret, side protection, composite armor elements, and slat armor screens. The event began on July 23, and further details are available through the official Scimitar Strike event announcement.
What the Scimitar Mk.2 brings to battle
The extra armor gives the vehicle more protection against smaller-caliber weapons and can sometimes stop hits from early anti-tank guided missiles. That protection comes with added weight, but a new engine and automatic transmission help the Mk.2 retain its mobility. Its reversing transmission is the real party trick, allowing it to move backward at up to 80 km/h on paved roads, the same top speed listed for forward travel.
Its main weapon is a 30 mm cannon with APDS ammunition. Those rounds are suited to the side armor of many tanks and can also penetrate the fronts of numerous SAM, SPAA, and light vehicles. The Mk.2’s speed supports quick flanking runs and lets it reach, capture, or contest objectives before slower vehicles arrive.
There is one catch. The autocannon uses a three-round clip-feed system, which gives it a relatively low rate of fire. Target selection and short, well-placed bursts will matter, especially when facing heavier opponents.
A familiar vehicle with a different protection package
Gaijin described the Scimitar Mk.2 as a vehicle with clear tradeoffs rather than a replacement for the regular Scimitar. The slat armor provides somewhat better protection, while the added weight slightly reduces speed compared with the tree vehicle. That keeps the Mk.2 close to the existing Scimitar’s playstyle while giving British Rank VI lineups another mobile light tank option.
Scimitar Mk.2 history
BAE Systems received a British Army contract in 2009 to upgrade FV107 Scimitar reconnaissance vehicles for service in Afghanistan. The work replaced the gasoline engine with a Cummins BTA diesel engine and added an automatic transmission, improved mine and ballistic protection, specialized crew seating, and air conditioning.
The upgraded vehicles also received new sighting systems, forward-facing cameras, updated communications equipment, a raised hull for more interior room, and an emergency escape hatch. They could carry extra armor and slat armor, bringing the Scimitar Mk.2’s combat weight to 12 tonnes.
Fifty vehicles were upgraded. They entered service in 2011 and were first deployed to Afghanistan in September of that year.
Vehicle specifications may change before the Scimitar Mk.2 is added to the game. Tell us what you think of this British event reward in the comments, and follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, and Instagram.
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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