Exclusive: Turkish Army to Receive One of the Most Modern Tanks with ALTAY Deliveries Starting in 2025.

On February 24, 2025, Turkish Defense Industry President Görgün announced that the Turkish Army will begin receiving its indigenous ALTAY Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) in 2025. The deliveries will commence with the T1 configuration, and the program is set to enhance the country’s armored forces significantly. According to the announcement, the first three ALTAY tanks will be delivered in 2025, and the annual deliveries will gradually increase in the following years. These deliveries are part of a broader plan that will see a total of 85 ALTAY tanks supplied during the first phase, which will continue through 2028.
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Turkish-made ALTAY MBT Main Battle Tank on display at IDEF 2023, showcasing Turkey's cutting-edge indigenous defense technology. (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

The ALTAY tank program is one of Turkey's most important defense initiatives, developed entirely with domestic technologies and components. The program aims to provide the Turkish Armed Forces with a state-of-the-art MBT capable of performing in diverse operational environments, from traditional battlefields to complex urban warfare scenarios.

The development of the ALTAY Main Battle Tank (MBT) has its roots in Turkey’s desire to enhance its military self-sufficiency. The development began in the early 2000s, as Turkey sought to replace its aging fleet of M60 Sabra and Leopard 1 tanks. Initially, the Turkish Army sought a tank that could meet its growing operational needs while also reducing its dependency on foreign defense suppliers. By 2007, Turkey awarded the ALTAY project to BMC, a leading Turkish defense contractor, with the aim of creating a domestically produced and technologically advanced MBT. Early design work was supported by Hyundai Rotem, South Korea’s tank manufacturer, which provided essential expertise, particularly in adapting elements of the K2 Black Panther tank. However, as the project progressed, Turkey moved toward a more independent approach, minimizing foreign involvement.

In 2011, the project was further refined and became more self-reliant as Turkish defense firms such as ASELSAN, ROKETSAN, HAVELSAN, and MKE took on significant roles in developing key systems, including fire control, weapons, communications, and active protection. By 2018, the first prototype of the ALTAY tank was revealed, and continued testing and refinement followed, ultimately leading to the confirmation that deliveries would begin in 2025.

The first three ALTAY tanks will be delivered in 2025, under the T1 configuration. This version will feature a robust set of capabilities, including high-end armor, modern weaponry, and sophisticated electronics to ensure superior battlefield performance. While the T1 will be the baseline configuration, it will serve as a foundation for the future upgrades and modifications. The T1 model will also ensure the Turkish Army receives a deployable MBT capable of meeting current military demands, allowing for integration into operational units and field testing in real-world conditions.

Following the initial deliveries in 2025, Turkey plans a structured and phased delivery schedule, with increasing numbers of ALTAY tanks supplied each year. In 2026, 11 ALTAY tanks will be delivered, followed by 41 tanks in 2027. The delivery process will continue with 30 tanks in 2028, bringing the total to 85 ALTAY tanks in the first phase. As the program progresses, Turkey is set to enter the next phase with the T2 configuration of the ALTAY tank. Starting from 2028, this version will feature significantly enhanced capabilities, integrating upgrades in armor, fire control systems, and communication technologies, ensuring the ALTAY remains at the cutting edge of modern warfare.

The T2 configuration will be a major step forward, as it will incorporate advanced technologies from leading Turkish defense companies. These companies have worked in close collaboration under the leadership of BMC to create a highly capable and fully indigenous MBT. With the T2 version, the ALTAY will see improvements in firepower, armor protection, and situational awareness systems, along with an upgraded active protection system designed to defend against advanced threats, including anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs). These improvements are aimed at ensuring the tank can operate in the most demanding environments.

The T3 configuration will be the most advanced version, expected to be deployed by the early 2030s. This model will likely feature autonomous capabilities and artificial intelligence integration to assist in real-time decision-making and operational efficiency. The T3 version will also see further improvements in mobility, armor, and firepower, making the ALTAY one of the most formidable MBTs on the battlefield.

The ALTAY is designed to be one of the most advanced and versatile MBTs in the world, packed with cutting-edge technologies that reflect Turkey’s ambitions in modern armored warfare. One of the key features is the multi-layered composite armor, which provides significant protection against a wide range of threats, including kinetic energy projectiles, high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warheads, and shaped charges. The tank is also equipped with reactive armor and an active protection system (APS), which is capable of intercepting incoming threats such as anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), ensuring that it remains resilient against evolving battlefield threats. The modular design of the armor allows for future upgrades, making it adaptable to new weapons and tactics.

The ALTAY is armed with a 120mm smoothbore gun, which can fire NATO-standard ammunition like APFSDS (Armor-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot), HEAT (High Explosive Anti-Tank), and multi-purpose anti-personnel rounds. This weapon system is paired with a modern fire control system that includes a laser rangefinder, thermal sights, and ballistic computers, ensuring the tank can engage targets with high accuracy in a wide range of operational environments, including at long ranges and under low-visibility conditions. In addition to the main gun, the ALTAY is equipped with a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun and a 12.7mm anti-aircraft gun, providing it with versatile options to engage infantry, light vehicles, and aerial targets.

In terms of mobility, the ALTAY is powered by a 1500-horsepower diesel engine, allowing the tank to reach speeds of up to 70 km/h on roads and 50 km/h off-road. Its hydropneumatic suspension system ensures a smooth ride across rough terrain, enhancing crew comfort and survivability. The tank’s high power-to-weight ratio ensures agility, even in challenging environments, providing excellent tactical maneuverability.

The ALTAY tank is equipped with cutting-edge electronic warfare (EW) systems, GPS-based navigation, and data-sharing capabilities, which ensure the tank is fully integrated into modern networked warfare systems. The tank’s electro-optical sights and infrared sensors offer superior target detection and tracking, even in complete darkness or through battlefield smoke. The battle management system (BMS) integrates the tank’s communications, navigation, and weapons control, providing real-time decision-making and enhancing its operational effectiveness. Additionally, the tank’s crew management system helps reduce the cognitive load on the crew by automating many routine tasks, allowing them to focus on high-priority actions.

While the T1 and T2 configurations are fully manned, the T3 configuration is expected to introduce autonomous driving capabilities and integrate artificial intelligence systems, providing significant operational advantages, such as autonomous target engagement and improved mission planning. These innovations aim to enhance crew efficiency, improve battlefield coordination, and ensure the ALTAY remains at the forefront of military technology.

The ALTAY MBT program represents a monumental shift in Turkey’s defense strategy, emphasizing indigenous development and technological self-sufficiency. By relying on a network of Turkish defense companies and skilled labor, Turkey is reducing its dependency on foreign defense suppliers, a critical move for long-term security and strategic autonomy.

The ALTAY MBT program is set to redefine Turkey's armored capabilities, with deliveries starting in 2025 and ramping up significantly in the years that follow. With its advanced configurations—starting with the T1, evolving through the T2, and culminating in the T3—the ALTAY will ensure that the Turkish Army remains at the forefront of modern armored warfare.

As Turkey continues to innovate in defense technology, the ALTAY MBT is a clear indicator of the country's commitment to developing homegrown military assets that meet the highest standards of modern warfare.