(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Turkey has commenced mass production of the “Altay” main battle tank, developed by its local defense firm BMC Defense, after several years in the development phase.
Haluk Gorgun, the head of Turkey’s Defense Industries Agency (SSB), stated that the “Altay” tank has been upgraded to meet the requirements of modern warfare.
“We have initiated the mass production of the Altay main battle tank. Several countries are interested in international collaboration, and we are in negotiations with them,” Gorgun said.
He further noted that many subsystems of the Altay tank have been localized, with significant enhancements in technology and innovation to boost its combat capabilities.
The Turkish Armed Forces have already received two Altay tank prototypes from BMC Defense for testing before the commencement of full-scale production.
BMC Defense, wholly owned by Turkey, holds the intellectual property rights for the Altay tank and its locally manufactured engines, which will be produced in a facility overseen by the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB).
In the first phase, BMC Defense will produce 250 “Altay” main battle tanks at its facility in Ankara, aiming to produce eight tanks per month.
Overall, BMC plans to produce 1,000 “Altay” tanks for the Turkish Army.
The main battle tank “Altay” has a weight of 65 tons and is equipped with a 120mm cannon, capable of carrying approximately 40 rounds within its armored body.
The tanks, developed by Turkey’s defense industry, will be equipped with composite and reactive armor systems designed by the local defense company, ROKETSAN.
In the project to develop a new generation of armor systems for the “Altay” tanks, ROKETSAN has emphasized characteristics such as effectiveness and a lightweight design using advanced materials.
The armor system for the “Altay” tank is a hybrid system developed by a team of ROKETSAN engineers to address current threats.
Utilizing high-tech materials in the production of the latest armor system for the main battle tank, the protection it offers to the crew is exceptionally high, despite the system’s minimal weight.
Compared to its competitors in the market, the armor system developed by ROKETSAN offers superior protection to the crew compartment and vehicle subsystems against repeated impacts.
It also provides maximum protection against anti-armor APFSDS rounds, protection from “tandem warheads,” low collateral damage, and a flexible design for easy installation on other platforms.
Starting in the second half of 2026, the “Altay” tanks will also be equipped with engines and transmission systems supplied by a South Korean company.
BMC Defense had to seek “assistance” from South Korea to supply the engine and transmission systems for the “Altay” tanks after Germany imposed arms restrictions on Turkey.
Previously, German companies MTU and Renk had been selected to supply engines and transmission systems for the “Altay” tanks.
However, Germany’s economic sanctions nearly stalled the tank’s development program.
Nevertheless, the entry of the South Korean company in supplying engines and transmission systems has successfully reinvigorated the development program for the tanks.
Turkey is also reportedly developing a locally made engine named “BATU” for use in the “Altay” tanks and other armored vehicles.
South Korea’s SNT Heavy Industries has signed an agreement to supply a 1,500 horsepower engine transmission system to BMC Defense for use in the “Altay” tanks.
The contract for the automatic transmission system, valued at US$217 million (approximately RM868 million), extends until 2030. — DSA