War Thunder has reworked the AI ground-vehicle models in Nuclear Escalation as part of the Eagle’s Shadow major update, bringing their appearance up to the level of detail of player-operated vehicles. The official announcement also confirms that carrier battle groups are heading to the mode, with U.S. and Chinese aircraft carriers accompanied by escort ships.
The ground-vehicle overhaul includes four surface-to-air systems: the MIM-23 Hawk, MIM-104 Patriot, S-300 and 9K37M1 Buk-M1. These are model updates to Nuclear Escalation’s AI vehicles, with the visual standard of War Thunder’s player vehicles serving as the benchmark. That makes visual consistency between AI and player-operated hardware the central benefit of this part of the update.
The rework also reaches beyond air-defence equipment. The 9A52-2 Smerch MLRS and M270 MLRS receive updated models alongside the 9K79 Tochka tactical missile system, while the M978 and M939 transport vehicles are included too. The transport entries are worth noting: the visual pass covers support vehicles as well as missile and rocket systems, rather than concentrating solely on the mode’s weapon-bearing hardware.
At sea, the announced U.S. lineup features the USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Nimitz aircraft carriers, escorted by the USS Oliver Hazard Perry frigate and USS Halsey destroyer. The distinction from the ground changes is important: the announcement presents the land vehicles as an existing AI roster receiving a visual rework, while the carrier battle groups are incoming additions to Nuclear Escalation.
The Chinese carrier group pairs the Fujian aircraft carrier with a Type 052D destroyer and Type 054A missile frigate. Together with the U.S. lineup, that gives the naval announcement a clear carrier — and-escort structure, rather than introducing aircraft carriers as isolated ships. Both groups are heading to Nuclear Escalation.
