Once again, the War Thunder forums have become a hotspot for the leak of classified information, this time involving the performance details of a key European military asset. Over the years, we’ve seen numerous leaks about various weapon systems, but the risk this particular leak poses to nations using the system in combat remains uncertain. Gaijin Entertainment, the game’s publisher, has consistently urged players to steer clear of posting military secrets on their forums.
This latest incident centers around the Eurofighter Typhoon, a $124 million aircraft that’s been part of NATO’s arsenal in countries like Britain, Germany, Italy, and Spain since 2003. Known for its versatility, the Typhoon can target both air and ground threats, with some comparing its capabilities to those of the F/A-22 Raptor. It’s equipped with an advanced radar system, and debates over its specs among the War Thunder community led to someone risking a ban by posting classified information to prove a point.
Amazingly, this marks at least the fourth time that sensitive data about the Typhoon has surfaced in the War Thunder forums. Past leaks are believed to have included the jet’s comprehensive 750-page manual.
In a direct response, a community manager sternly advised, “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 being possible 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, this same community manager had laid out clear guidelines to deter potential posters from sharing secret, confidential, or classified documents on Gaijin’s forums. Gaijin, originally based in Moscow, develops the free-to-play vehicular combat simulator.
Nevertheless, what’s striking is that such occurrences aren’t rare for War Thunder. A Steam post highlights numerous similar incidents, including a leak of Chinese documents in 2022. However, opinions on the risk posed by these leaks vary. According to Sandboxx, a military-focused fansite, Western media might be blowing the situation out of proportion with extensive stories rounding up these leaks.
On the other hand, the UK Defense Journal stresses that such leaks can lead to real-world consequences, potentially jeopardizing the security of weapon systems and the operational safety of the pilots involved.
