Türkiye Begins Mass Production of Locally-made Altay Main Battle Tanks.

Türkiye's defense industry has started mass production of the Altay battle tank, a new-generation vehicle designed to meet the demands of modern warfare. This announcement was made by the president of Turkish Defense Industries, Haluk Gorgun, on May 29, 2024.
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Türkiye has started mass production of the Altay Main Battle Tank. ( Picture Source: BMC)

The president of Turkish Defense Industries, Haluk Gorgun, announced on May 29, 2024, the start of mass production of the Altay tank. "We have launched the mass production of our national tank," Gorgun said. "Several countries are interested in collaborating with us on this project, and we are actively negotiating with them."

Produced by BMC Defence under the auspices of the Presidency of Defense Industries, the Altay tank has undergone important updates to align with contemporary combat requirements. "Many subsystems have been localized, and the latest technologies and innovations have been incorporated to enhance its combat capabilities," Gorgun explained.

Drawing from the recent operational experiences of the Turkish Armed Forces, the Altay tank is equipped with additional features. "Digital technologies have been increasingly integrated into the Altay, allowing for more precise and rapid detection, targeting, and engagement of enemy elements," Gorgun added.

Highlighting Turkey's expertise in land vehicles, Gorgun said: "Our country excels in the field of land vehicles, with numerous companies exporting internationally. Their products offer competitive advantages on the global stage."

The Altay is a Turkish modern battle tank equipped with powerful armament. ( Picture Source: BMC)

The Altay is a modern battle tank equipped with powerful armament, including a main 120 mm 55-caliber gun, a remote weapon station with a 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm machine gun, and a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun. Its protection relies on modular composite armor, allowing it to effectively withstand battlefield threats.

Designed in Türkiye and used in that country, the Altay weighs 65,000 kg. It can reach a maximum speed of 70 km/h and has an operational range of 500 km, thanks to its fire control system, C3I system (command, control, communications, and intelligence), laser warning system, battlefield target identification system, CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear) protection, fire-extinguishing and explosion suppression system. It is also equipped with a 360-degree situational awareness system, providing a comprehensive and detailed view of its surroundings.

The Altay is operated by a crew of four and has dimensions of 7.3 meters in length, 3.9 meters in width, and 2.6 meters in height. These characteristics make it a heavily armed, well-protected combat tank capable of moving quickly across various terrains.

The history of the Altay main Battle Tank began in Türkiye, in 1996. ( Picture Source: BMC)

The history of the Altay tank began in 1996 when the need for a new main battle tank for the Turkish Land Forces led to the decision to develop and produce such a tank domestically. In 1999, this decision was concretized into a specific project.

In 2000, at the request of the Turkish General Staff, a tender was launched for the domestic production of a foreign-origin tank. Competing companies imported tanks to Turkey for rigorous testing over two years. In 2004, in response to a request from the Presidency of Defense Industries, three Turkish companies created BOF A.Ş. to conduct a feasibility study on the production of an original main battle tank in Turkey.

The project took a significant step in 2007 with the launch of the Phase I tender for the design and production of Altay tank prototypes by the Presidency of Defense Industries. Ten years later, in 2017, the Altay tank prototypes completed their tests and were delivered to the Presidency of Defense Industries.

In 2018, the Phase II tender for the project, dedicated to the mass production of the Altay tank, was launched and won by BMC. In 2023, BMC delivered the "NEW ALTAY" main battle tank, an improved version with modernized and localized systems, including a new power group, to the Turkish Armed Forces for mass production tests.

Gorgun also mentioned a recent major procurement and hinted at upcoming acquisitions. He emphasized that NATO countries in Europe have opted for their products and hinted at new advancements in personnel carriers and armored vehicles.

The Altay Main Battle Tank. ( Picture Source: BMC)