Turkey has officially introduced its first locally-produced BMC Altay main battle tanks to the Turkish Armed Forces during a ceremony held in the Kahramankazan district, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. This significant event showcased three Altay tanks, each meticulously designed with modern armor, advanced targeting systems, and a comprehensive 360-degree defense suite intended to counteract missile threats and direct gunfire.
In a move to bolster the independence of its defense sector, many of the Altay’s core systems—including sensors, optics, and control electronics—were developed domestically, aiming to decrease reliance on foreign manufacturers. Although the initial models of the Altay are powered by South Korean-made engines, plans are in place for future iterations to utilize the indigenous BATU power unit, which is currently undergoing road testing.
The Altay project, which commenced in 2007, has encountered numerous hurdles over the years, primarily due to export restrictions. Despite these obstacles, Erdoğan emphasized Turkey’s commitment to advancing its defense capabilities. He remarked, “With Altay, we have ushered in a new era in tank technology. We’re moving steadily toward a defense industry that stands fully on its own,” as reported by Daily Sabah.
The event also marked the inauguration of a new Tank and Next-Generation Armored Vehicles Production Facility covering an extensive 840,000-square-meter area. This complex is designed to facilitate the assembly and distribution of the Altay tanks. According to sources, BMC is projected to manufacture eight Altay tanks per month at this facility, aiming for nearly 100 units annually. Additionally, the site is set to assemble 10 Altuğ 8×8 armored vehicles each month. The facility is expected to create around 1,500 jobs while also engaging in testing and research alongside production.
The delivery schedule for the Altay tanks anticipates a gradual increase in output, with plans for 11 units in 2026, followed by 41 in 2027, and 30 more in 2028. This production will transition to the Altay T2 variant, which will incorporate the new domestically-developed BATU engine.
The Altay main battle tank itself is modeled after the Republic of Korea’s K2 Black Panther and is equipped with a 120-millimeter smoothbore gun, along with a remote-operated weapon station that includes both 12.7-millimeter and 7.62-millimeter machine guns. The vehicle is powered by an engine capable of producing 1,500 horsepower, featured in both the standard T1 variant and the incoming T2 variant, which will have a 6-speed transmission.
Protection for the Altay includes advanced composite armor developed by Roketsan, based on the Korean Special Armor Plate, along with a sophisticated protection system from Aselsan, featuring hard kill, soft kill, and electronic warfare capabilities. Measuring 7 meters long and weighing 65,000 kilograms, the Altay tank boasts an operational range of 450 kilometers and can achieve a top speed of 65 kilometers per hour on paved roads, and 45 kilometers per hour on rough terrain.
This milestone event underscores Turkey’s strategic intentions to enhance its domestic defense manufacturing capabilities and decrease dependency on imports, securing its place in the global military landscape.
