War Thunder Heavy Cavalry Update Launches With BC7 Textures and New Vehicles

PC gamers planning to download War Thunder's latest major update need to clear significant storage space before launching the game. Gaijin Entertainment released the 'Heavy Cavalry' update on July 25, 2026, which overhauls ground vehicle textures and adds dozens of new military vehicles. The visual improvements come with a practical requirement: players must manage a one-time download of roughly 20 GB for standard quality or 35 GB for ultra-high quality textures. This storage demand affects users with limited SSD capacity who rely on smaller drives for other applications.

Massive content drop demands storage planning for PC gamers

The update introduces a wide array of new vehicles across multiple national branches, giving players access to modern combat hardware. The United States adds two new Abrams variants, including the M1A2 SEPv3 and the M1A2 equipped with the Trophy-HV system. Great Britain receives the Palmaria armored vehicle, while Italy welcomes the Hunter AFV. China gets the PGZ88, and Germany sees the return of the classic Hummel self-propelled howitzer.

Air and naval forces also receive significant reinforcements in this patch. The USA brings the F-101C Voodoo fighter, while Great Britain adds the Washington B.Mk.I bomber. Italy and the USSR each introduce nimble combat trainers, the M-346FA and Yak-130 respectively. Germany gains the Argentine IA.58A Pucará, and naval factions receive the USS North Carolina, Italy's MAS 429, and France's Jean Bart. Helicopter pilots can now fly the Mi-24D, Mi-28NM, and three Z-10 variants.

Technical changes focus on visual fidelity and tactical capabilities. The game switches ground vehicle textures from DXT5 to BC7 compression, which noticeably reduces blocky artifacts and color banding. Gaijin also improved ambient occlusion to provide more realistic lighting on vehicles during low-light conditions. Players can now utilize Anti-Radiation Missiles and Electronic Support Measures for new tactical options. The update also includes visual reworks for the Ash River and Winter Ardennes maps.

The 'Heavy Cavalry' update is available now for all platforms globally. This release represents one of the largest content drops in the game's history, combining substantial vehicle additions with deep technical overhauls. Players should prepare their storage devices before downloading to ensure a smooth installation process. The update stands as a major milestone for the free-to-play military action MMO.