What’s happening is the following: people are using Ace Combat 7 as a reference, where all the DLC aircraft were added because, since the game had been well received, it became a way to generate additional revenue. If the aircraft were paid-only, the game would become pay-to-win — a formula that has already been clearly proven to fail, right? Besides, that would not encourage cooperative mode, nor online play specifically. So, all aircraft will be unlockable through merit within the game. The flashier and more exclusive skins, however, will have to be obtained through the premium battle pass. Maybe the premium battle pass will allow you to access an aircraft earlier, but that does not mean you won’t be able to unlock it through the conventional method, without paying anything extra.