War Thunder Adds Soviet Su-15TM Jet Interceptor in Next Major Update
Gaijin confirmed on November 2, 2026 that the Su-15TM is headed to War Thunder in the next major update. It lands as a rank VI jet in the Sukhoi line for the USSR, built as a high-altitude interceptor rather than a dogfighter.
What the Su-15TM Brings
The headline numbers are a top speed past 2,200 km/h at altitude and a strong climb rate, paired with maneuverability that holds up well in the vertical fight. For armament it carries the 23 mm gun pods and R-60 missiles players already know, plus a radar and a Radar Warning Receiver for situational awareness.
The catch is that it has no flares or chaff, so pilots will need to rely on positioning and speed rather than countermeasures once something is locked on. It also carries unguided bombs and rockets for ground targets, even though its main job is air-to-air work at altitude.
The New R-98 Missiles
The bigger addition is the R-98 family, exclusive to this aircraft for now. The Su-15TM can carry two of them at a time, alongside R-60s or external fuel tanks. The R-98MT uses an IR seeker with range beyond the R-60, but it can only lock onto a target from behind. The R-98MR swaps in a semi-active radar seeker, which works even head-on.
Developers describe the Su-15TM as the earliest Soviet aircraft to field medium-range air-to-air missiles, calling it a “stepping stone to the era of more advanced, long-range weaponry.” With only two missiles per sortie, getting the most out of them will take some practice.
Where It Came From
The real Su-15TM grew out of the original Su-15 airframe, with factory trials starting in spring 1970 and state trials following that autumn. It entered service on January 21, 1975, flying with Soviet Air Defense Force regiments, and picked up ground-attack capability in 1974. Russia retired its last Su-15s in 1994, while around 70 aircraft handed to Ukraine stayed active until 1996.
What This Means for Mod Users
War Thunder has a live skin and mod scene through its in-game content tools, and new aircraft usually mean new liveries and camouflage mods show up once a plane is actually flying. Since the Su-15TM isn’t in the game yet and specs can still change before release, there’s nothing to download or install for it right now.
In general, major updates can shift file structures or model slots enough that older mods for other aircraft stop loading correctly until their creators patch them, so it’s a reasonable habit to back up your mod folder before any big patch drops. Once the update with the Su-15TM goes live, keep an eye on your usual mod sources to see if skins for it appear.
Based on the developer's announcement on Steam, 2 November 2026.
