(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Turkey’s domestically produced “Altay” main battle tank, now entering mass production, will be equipped with advanced composite and reactive armor systems to protect the crew from enemy attacks.
Developed by ROKETSAN’s Ballistic Protection Centre, a leading Turkish defense company, this armor system is considered one of the most advanced for tanks.
ROKETSAN, known for developing a wide range of missile systems, rockets, and bombs for Turkey’s military and international clients, is now focusing on creating armor systems for the country’s main battle tanks.
In the project to develop a new generation armor system for the “Altay” main battle tank, ROKETSAN has emphasized effectiveness and lightweight armor using advanced materials.
The armor system for the “Altay” tank is a hybrid solution, developed by a team of ROKETSAN engineers, designed to address current threats to tanks.
Utilizing high-tech materials, the latest composite and reactive armor system offers maximum protection to the tank’s crew while maintaining a minimal weight.
Compared to its competitors, ROKETSAN’s composite armor provides superior protection to the crew compartment and vehicle subsystems against repeated strikes.
It also offers maximum defense against APFSDS rounds, protection against tandem warhead rockets and anti-tank missiles, low collateral damage, and a flexible design that can be adapted to other platforms.
ROKETSAN’s composite armor system follows an “Open Architecture” approach, allowing for easy upgrades to counter current and future threats.
The company is currently working on mass production of the armor system, with plans to deliver approximately 250 sets for the “Altay” tank.
This armor system is compatible with all variants of the “Altay” tank and various tanks in the Turkish Army’s arsenal.
In the future, it can also be used for ground vehicles operated by Turkey’s security forces. ROKETSAN also plans to export its armor system to other countries, offering upgrades for their tanks using its advanced armor technology.
In June, Turkey’s defense agency announced the start of mass production of the “Altay” tank, developed by local defense company BMC Defense, following several years of development.
Haluk Gorgun, the former 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 started mass production of the Altay main battle tank. Several countries are interested in collaborating with us internationally, and we are in negotiations with them,” Gorgun said.
BMC Defense, a fully Turkish-owned company, holds the intellectual property rights for the Altay tank and its domestically produced engine, which will be manufactured at a facility owned by the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB).
In the first phase, BMC Defense will produce 250 “Altay” tanks at its facility in Ankara, with an output of eight tanks per month, according to the company’s general manager, Mehmet Karaaslan.
Overall, BMC plans to produce 1,000 “Altay” tanks for the Turkish Army.
The “Altay” main battle tank weighs 65 tons, is equipped with a 120mm cannon, and can carry around 40 rounds of ammunition within the tank. – DSA