Turkey is steadily maintaining its leading position in unmanned aviation while preparing to launch the next-generation Altay Main Battle Tank (MBT) into production alongside its efforts to develop a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet. Rapidly expanding its defence industry infrastructure, Turkey holds a significant position in the global defence market.
Altay Main Battle Tank to Enter Service in 2025
According to Daily Sabah, President of Defence Industries Haluk Görgün visited BMC’s Ankara production facility on 24 February. Görgün announced that the domestically produced Altay MBT will be delivered to the Turkish Armed Forces in 2025.
“This year, as promised, we will deliver the first serial production tanks to our heroic army. In August, we will inaugurate our facility and initiate the production process for all our armoured vehicles,” he stated.
More than 600 companies are involved in the Altay tank project, with major defence industry firms like BMC, Aselsan, Roketsan, and Havelsan contributing to the initiative.
Production Plan and Technical Specifications
It was announced that three Altay tanks will be delivered in 2025, followed by the production of 85 tanks in the T1 configuration. While initial units will be delivered in the T1 phase, the T2 phase will involve an enhanced version of the tank. By 2028, a total of 165 Altay-T2 tanks are expected to be delivered.
The Altay is equipped with an intensified power group, enhanced armour, a new fire control system, a domestically developed command and control system, and the AKKOR Active Protection System developed by Aselsan. AKKOR provides 360-degree protection by detecting and neutralising anti-tank missiles.
Engine Issues and the Domestic BATU Solution
The prototype of the Altay tank was powered by the MTU833 engine sourced from Germany. However, due to an embargo imposed by Germany, engine supplies were halted. Consequently, Turkey started procuring 1,500-horsepower engines from South Korea. In the long term, Turkey aims to produce its own domestic engines through the BATU engine developed by BMC Power.
Turkey’s Success in Armoured Vehicles
Defence Industries President Haluk Görgün stated that Turkey has exported more than 4,500 armoured vehicles to nearly 50 countries. On 24 February, a contract was signed between FNSS and the Defence Industries Presidency (SSB) for the development of PARS ALPHA 8×8 and 6×6 armoured vehicles.
Turkey’s Leading Role in Aviation
Turkey’s rise in the defence industry is not limited to land vehicles. Ankara is also making significant strides in aviation with unmanned aerial vehicles and fifth-generation fighter jets. UAVs such as TB2, TB3, Akıncı, and Kızılelma, developed by Baykar, have garnered worldwide attention.
Notably, the TB2 achieved remarkable success in conflict zones like Nagorno-Karabakh, Ukraine, and Sudan. The next-generation TB2T-AI model stands out with its artificial intelligence integration.
One of Turkey’s largest projects, the KAAN fifth-generation fighter jet, is attracting interest from multiple countries. These advancements in the defence industry position Turkey as a key player in the global arms market.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan emphasises that Turkey’s ultimate goal is complete independence in defence production. The Altay Main Battle Tank and other projects bolster Turkey’s ambition to strengthen its defence industry capabilities.
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