The 2S38 is a premium Soviet light vehicle based on the BMP-3 platform and intended as a potential replacement for the 2S6 Tunguska SPAA. With its punchy 57 mm autocannon, great mobility, and excellent multirole capabilities, the 2S38 is a deadly vehicle in ground battles, making it loved and hated by War Thunder players alike. However, the 2S38's various strengths are balanced out by its overall lack of armor and limited survivability, which makes it somewhat of a glass cannon.
Ground Assault is a cooperative PvE gamemode where players defend a capture zone against waves of AI-controlled enemies while using tanks and various aircraft. This gamemode offers players an easy way to earn Silver Lions and Research Points, making it a relatively beginner-friendly option for newer players. This guide explores the mechanics of Ground Assault, provides a list of vehicles used by enemy AI units, and offers a detailed breakdown of the layouts for all 7 maps.
The Namer 30 is an experimental modification of the regular Namer APC equipped with the Samson RCWS-30 mount on the roof. The Namer is based off the Merkava 4 MBT chassis, inheriting the same spacious interior and good protection against chemical weapons and autocannons. However, the Namer’s potent armament and good survivability are held back by the extremely exposed weapons mount, making the Namer easy to disable in combat.
The Mi-24P (NATO reporting name: Hind-F) is the dedicated anti-tank variant of the venerable Mil Mi-24V Hind attack helicopter. With its extensive suite of ground and air armaments, ranging from 500 kg bombs to the Shturm ATGM, the Mi-24P can dish out a great deal of damage while being able to tank most return fire due to its rugged construction and various survivability systems. In addition, the turreted 12.7 mm machine gun found on the preceding Mi-24V is replaced with a longer version of the Su-25's twin-barrelled 30 mm autocannon, which can easily tear apart aircraft and most ground units.
The OF-40 MTCA is an Italian main battle tank (MBT) manufactured by OTO Melara. It was intended to be a future MBT for the Italian army, but it was later marketed for the Middle Eastern export market due to the Italians already having the Leopard 1. In-game, the OF-40 relies on its stellar mobility and consistent main armament to compensate for its lack of armor. Players who enjoy fast MBTs that rely on speed and versatility instead of armor will find the OF-40 to be very enjoyable.
The Merkava Mk.4M "Meil Ru'ach" is an Israeli indigenous MBT, designed and manufactured by Mantak and the IDF Ordinance Corps. Prioritizing crew protection and survivability over all other aspects, the tank has a frontally mounted engine to shield the crew and a well-balanced armor layout. When compared to the preceding Merkava Mk.4B/LIC, the Merkava Mk.4M is upgraded to use the venerable Trophy APS to protect the tank from ATGMs and other guided munitions. The Merkava has the potential to be a formidable weapon in the hands of a skilled player, but it demands more expertise from players to achieve success compared to other MBTs, primarily due to its weak armor.
The AH-60 Battlehawk is an Israeli development of the famed Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk utility helicopter, adapted for combat operations. With an exceptional air-to-ground armament in the form of 16 fire-and-forget SPIKE-ER missiles, the Battlehawk excels in ground engagements where it can devastate targets and overwhelm SPAAs with its SPIKEs while having the ability to dip behind cover to avoid any return fire.
The F-15I Ra’am is an Israeli-modified F-15E Strike Eagle with indigenous avionics and additional modifications to fit Israeli requirements. With two Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 engines, the F-15I is capable of producing immense amounts of thrust and is the fastest plane in War Thunder. The F-15I excels at attacking ground targets and performing CAS duties with its large suite of GBUs, GNSS bombs, and AGMs. It also performs very well in medium to long range air-to-air combat, being able to launch its AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles at extraordinarily high speeds and is well suited to the medium to long range BVR gameplay of toptier air battles.
