Once again, the War Thunder forums have found themselves at the center of a sensitive situation. Classified information about a significant European military asset has surfaced online, continuing a trend of similar leaks concerning various weapon systems over the years. It’s yet to be determined what potential risks, if any, this leak could pose to the nations utilizing the system in their defense strategies. In response, a community moderator from Gaijin Entertainment has issued a familiar plea for fans to stop sharing military secrets on the platform.
The focus of this leak is the Eurofighter Typhoon, a formidable aircraft with a price tag of $124 million. This multi-role jet is operated by NATO members such as Britain, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Having entered service in 2003, the Typhoon is adept at tackling both aerial and terrestrial targets, earning it comparisons to the F/A-22 Raptor from the U.S. Air Force. The aircraft boasts an advanced radar system, which sparked debates among War Thunder enthusiasts. In an attempt to underscore their arguments, someone posted classified information, which resulted in a ban from the forums due to the risky nature of such actions.
This incident marks at least the fourth time that secrets concerning the Typhoon have been leaked on the War Thunder forums. Past breaches are believed to have included the leak of an extensive 750-page manual of the aircraft.
A community manager strongly cautioned users, saying, “Please do not, under any circumstances, try to post, use or share any sources unless you are 100% certain they are legally declassified and publicly safe for use. We will never handle or use them and all it does is actively harm any possible future changes by trying to use them. Do not do it. No good will [ever] come from it for you or the vehicle you are trying to post for.”
Back in June, the same community manager shared additional guidance, underscoring the prohibition of posting documents that are secret, confidential, or classified on the forums of the free-to-play game created by Gaijin, a company that previously operated out of Moscow.
Unfortunately, incidents like this are not uncommon for War Thunder. A post on Steam highlights numerous similar occurrences, including a leak of Chinese secrets back in 2022. But does this pose a real danger to military forces? Opinions differ. Military fansite Sandboxx argues that Western media may be sensationalizing the issue, while the UK Defense Journal warns that such leaks could have tangible consequences, potentially jeopardizing the security and operational effectiveness of the weapons systems and the safety of the pilots who rely on them.
