Inside Türkiye's Largest Factory! Türkiye Builds Next-Generation Armored Vehicles for the Army

Описание: Inside Türkiye's Largest Factory! Türkiye Builds Next-Generation Armored Vehicles for the Army

In a monumental step toward defense industrial autonomy, Turkey has begun mass production and deployment of the next-generation ALTAY main battle tank, marking a historic chapter in the country's military modernization. After decades of development, testing, and technological refinement, the ALTAY tank has now entered production and is beginning to enter the Turkish Army's inventory.

From Concept to Production
The ALTAY program was launched over a decade ago with the goal of creating a modern tank with world-class firepower, mobility, and durability. Early development faced challenges typical of complex defense programs, including delays and supply chain issues. This was due in part to export licensing restrictions on critical components.

Cutting-Edge Capabilities
The ALTAY main battle tank is a third-generation armored vehicle designed to operate in a variety of combat environments, from high-intensity mechanized combat to asymmetric war zones. Its core specifications reflect a balance between firepower, protection, and agility:

Weight: Approximately 65 tons
Main Armament: 120 mm L/55 smoothbore gun, manufactured under license by MKE, capable of firing a variety of modern ammunition with an effective range of several kilometers. Equipped with a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun and a remotely controlled weapon station (RCWS) mounting a 12.7 mm or 7.62 mm machine gun.

The Engine of Independence: The BATU Power Pack
Although early ALTAY tanks used imported power packs, Turkey's ambition has always been toward full localization. To that end, BMC Power has developed the domestically produced "BATU" power pack, with engines capable of up to 1,500 horsepower. The BATU engine recently passed factory acceptance tests, signaling a clear path to eliminating foreign dependence in the tank's core propulsion system.

Most importantly, this tank integrates an advanced digital fire control system, armor solutions, and a 360-degree active protection suite, such as the domestically developed AKKOR active protection system, designed to detect and neutralize anti-tank missile and rocket threats before they can strike. Speed: Up to 65 km/h on highways; 45 km/h off-road. Crew: Four (commander, gunner, loader, driver).

A Century-Old Vision Made Real
The ALTAY tank project represents one of Turkey's most ambitious defense programs of the 21st century. Named after Fahrettin Altay Pasha, a prominent cavalry commander in the Turkish War of Independence, it embodies a blend of national pride, engineering prowess, and strategic foresight to build a domestically developed main battle tank capable of meeting the demands of the modern battlefield.