Patch 1.33 now Live

Well, it is a free to play game, so they HAVE to find ways to make their money. Unlike EA, whom makes you buy the game, pay for added content, and then another $50 for premium just to keep up with your friends, any money you spend in war thunder is strictly voluntary, and dont upset the balance of the game (as in nearly every other free to play game ever).

The new upgrade system is so expensive for me because I have been playing a long time and have nearly every plane in the game. Had I started playing for the first time today, I would be buying the upgrades as I unlock the planes, and THEN it is very affordable. Even more so since in this patch they reduced the cost of each plane, and it's repair costs.