My main grievance with the thermal optics in BF4 was the fact that there was no real in game counter to them. You could use flares, but they were only effective on Locker and Metro where sightlines and lanes are limited.

If they do intend on bringing back the thermal optics, they also need to present the player with a consistent option to counter it. CoD has had various perks over the years like Cold Blooded that hide the player from thermals. While 2042 doesn't seem to have custom specializations, maybe you can use an equipment slot to choose something like thermal camo, or have a specialist with an immunity to thermals as a passive trait.

If this option isn't presented, than I'd rather the thermals remain out of the game. As for Tanks, I think if they were to pick thermal optics, then that should disable their third person camera. In BF4 it is impossible to hide or sneak up on them when they are switching between the two with their 2000 dpi mouse settings.

I write this assuming that these optics would operate in the same way they had in BF4, but I suppose that isn't guaranteed. Maybe they'll turn out not to be as effective.