South Korea’s Samyang Comtech to Supply Advanced Armor for Turkey’s Altay Main Battle Tank

In a significant milestone for South Korea's defense industry, Samyang Comtech has signed its first direct overseas export contract to supply advanced ballistic armor for Turkey’s next-generation Altay main battle tank. The deal marks a new chapter for the Korean firm, which has previously only exported such systems indirectly through domestic tank manufacturers.

Samyang Comtech’s armor will serve as a key protective element of the Altay tank, which is slated to enter serial production later this year. Turkey has ambitious plans for the Altay, intending to induct an initial batch of 250 tanks into its armed forces, with the longer-term goal of deploying up to 1,000 units.

The decision to source armor from Samyang Comtech is rooted in the company’s well-established expertise in materials research and its capacity for large-scale ceramic armor production. Since 2009, Samyang has been the exclusive armor supplier for South Korea’s K2 Black Panther tank, developed by Hyundai Rotem. Interestingly, the Altay’s design has benefited from South Korean technological input, including elements from the K2 program.

While Samyang previously contributed armor for Poland’s K2 tanks in 2022, those exports were managed through Hyundai Rotem. This contract with Turkey represents Samyang’s first direct engagement with a foreign-developed tank program—a notable achievement for the company and for South Korea’s expanding defense export portfolio.

Samyang Comtech’s CEO, Kim Jong-il, emphasized the firm’s comprehensive capabilities. “We operate independent materials and technology research centers, and maintain the world’s largest mass-production system for ballistic ceramic components,” he said. He added that the firm has developed a “one-stop armor solution system” that includes everything from design and production to ballistic testing within its own facilities.

The ceramic armor developed by Samyang is composed of silicon carbide and other proprietary materials. This advanced armor is reportedly comparable to that used on high-end Western tanks such as the American M1 Abrams and the German Leopard 2, giving Turkey a considerable edge in modern battlefield survivability.

This breakthrough deal follows a growing trend of South Korean defense firms securing direct contracts on the global stage. Just recently, another Korean company, RFHIC, signed a $2.2 million agreement with Italy’s Leonardo for radar amplifier components, highlighting the broader international appetite for Korean defense technologies.

For Samyang Comtech, the Turkish Altay tank project not only opens the door to more international opportunities but also underscores South Korea’s rising stature in the global defense manufacturing sector.