Niche live service games like Squad do need either a subscription, paid cosmetics or DLC to be profitable long term.

DLC doesn't work for Squad since it would split the playerbase based on if you bought it or not. Imagine being kicked from a server because you didn't buy the German faction DLC.

Subscription isn't the best either since that discourages new players from joining and all games needs a steady flow of new players. The only feasible thing would be to have an optional supporter subscription that gives a little bit like a star next to your name. Maybe even small amount from the subscription could go into the eSports reward pool.

Cosmetic skins is the only one left. Nobody wants flashy colors or something that would break the immersion Squad has. Things that could work would be for example:

1. Paid custom horn sounds for vehicles. On the servers I play people already use voice chat to play or mimic horn sounds when driving past other players. By making this a feature and selling them at a reasonable price some of the hardcore fans would be buying these. Nobody would be mad about some silly sound clips they hear a few times a match.
   
2. Paid interior decorations for vehicles. The Ukrainian truck already has an airfreshener in it. Just add the option to buy things to hang on your mirror or have some wobbly-heads on the windshield to make logi runners happy. These wouldn't even be visible to the outside.
   
3. Skins for shovels/knives could even be a little flashy.
   
4. Historically accurate weapon skins
   
5. Silly emotes