Gaijin Entertainment is pulling both Japanese Ho-Ri tank destroyers from War Thunder. The Ho-Ri Production leaves the Japanese research tree and the Ho-Ri Prototype leaves the store on September 1, 2026, closing out a nine-year run for two of the tree’s heaviest-armored options. Losing access is not automatic, though, and there is a clear way to lock in the Production model before the deadline.
Quick answer: Put at least 1 RP into the Ho-Ri Production before September 1, 2026. Once any research point is applied, you can finish unlocking it after the removal date. If you already own it, or you buy the Ho-Ri Prototype before it leaves the store, you keep it permanently.
What is being removed and the exact deadline
Two vehicles are affected, and each is handled differently. The change was confirmed in the August 2026 Battle Rating changes on the official forum.
| Vehicle | How it leaves | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Ho-Ri Production | Removed from the Japanese research tree | September 1, 2026 |
| Ho-Ri Prototype | Removed from sale in the store | September 1, 2026 |
Nothing is taken away from players who already have these vehicles. If you own the Ho-Ri Production, or you have purchased the Ho-Ri Prototype, both stay in your garage after removal. Gaijin currently has no plans to bring either one back, so the window that closes on September 1 is the point that matters.
How to secure the Ho-Ri Production before September 1
The Production model works on a research trigger. Applying even a single research point to it before the deadline preserves your ability to finish unlocking it later, so this is the one action that guarantees future access.
You know it worked once the Ho-Ri Production shows research progress on it in the tree. After September 1, a vehicle with at least 1 RP invested remains researchable, while one with no research applied disappears as an option for you entirely.
Ho-Ri Prototype: buy before it leaves the store
The Prototype follows a purchase rule rather than a research one. It is being pulled from sale on the same date, so the only way to keep it is to own it before September 1. There is a discount attached to it. A one-week price reduction begins after the final August Battle Rating changes take effect. No exact figure or further timing has been detailed beyond that, so watch the store for the drop if you plan to buy it at a lower price.
Why Gaijin is removing the Ho-Ri vehicles
The core reason is historical accuracy. Both vehicles have been in the game for nine years, and their designs contain several inaccuracies compared to what is documented about the real Ho-Ri project.
The historical Ho-Ri project did exist, but the in-game Production and Prototype may not match documented Japanese designs. The version in the game traces back to questionable “Ho-Ri 3” material that circulated in 2017. The proposals that are actually recorded were known as Ho-Ri Type I and Type II, both built on the Chi-Ri chassis.
Community investigation points to major gaps between the recorded project and the in-game tank. The differences are large enough that the vehicle plays more like a fabricated design than a faithful recreation.
| Detail | In-game Ho-Ri | Documented project |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 65 tons | 40 tons |
| Engine power | 935 hp | 550 hp |
| Secondary weapons | Different loadout | As documented |
| Armor and hull | Significantly altered | As documented |
Will the Ho-Ri return later?
There are no plans to make the Ho-Ri Production or Ho-Ri Prototype available again. That is the current position rather than an absolute guarantee, so a future return is not fully ruled out. Treat the September 1, 2026 deadline as final for now.
The safest move is simple. Drop at least 1 RP into the Ho-Ri Production and, if you want the Prototype, buy it while it is still in the store. Do both before September 1, and neither vehicle can slip out of reach.
