Türkiye Delivers First Indigenous Altay Main Battle Tanks to Armed Forces

Türkiye has officially entered a new era of armored warfare capability with the delivery of its first domestically produced Altay main battle tanks (MBTs) to the Turkish Armed Forces. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made the announcement on Tuesday during the inauguration ceremony of the BMC Ankara Tank and New Generation Armored Vehicles Production Facility, the state-of-the-art complex where the Altay will now be mass-produced.

The delivery marks a historic milestone in Türkiye’s decades-long ambition to achieve full independence in land warfare systems. The Altay underwent a rigorous testing program covering 35,000 kilometers and over 3,700 live-fire exercises, ensuring its readiness for combat deployment. “The Altay is designed to withstand the toughest battlefield conditions,” Erdoğan declared, emphasizing that the tank’s final configuration reflects lessons learned from modern conflicts, including drone warfare and hybrid battle environments.

Production and Industrial Capacity

The newly opened 63,000-square-metre BMC production facility in Ankara will serve as the heart of the Altay program. According to President Erdoğan, the plant will manufacture eight Altay tanks and ten Altug armored vehicles every month, reflecting the country’s growing defense manufacturing capability. The Altug 8x8, also produced at the same facility, was described by Erdoğan as “a fortress of the battlefield,” further highlighting Türkiye’s progress in integrated land system development.

At the ceremony, Erdoğan proudly stated, “We are no longer just a state that follows; we are a state that is followed.” He underscored that Türkiye’s foreign defense dependency has fallen below 20%, thanks to a strong domestic defense ecosystem involving over 1,400 projects and partnerships with local firms.

Technical Specifications of the Altay MBT

The Altay is a third-generation digital main battle tank, designed to rival Western MBTs like the Leopard 2A7 and the M1A2 Abrams. Its features are a blend of advanced protection, mobility, and firepower, all integrated with indigenous Turkish technologies.

• Weight: Approximately 65 tonnes

• Crew: 4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver)

• Main Armament: 120mm L/55 smoothbore gun, compatible with NATO-standard ammunition

• Secondary Armament: 7.62mm coaxial MG and a 12.7mm remote-controlled weapon station

• Armor: Composite modular armor system developed by Roketsan, offering high protection against kinetic and chemical threats

• Fire Control System: Advanced digital fire control and battlefield management system by Aselsan

• Sensors: Thermal imaging, laser rangefinder, and automatic target tracking capability

• Mobility: Equipped with hydropneumatic suspension, allowing superior maneuverability over rough terrain

• Speed: Up to 70 km/h on road

Engine and Powertrain Development

One of the most critical milestones in the Altay program has been achieving engine self-sufficiency. Initially, the tank was powered by a German MTU EuroPowerPack (MTU 883 Ka-501 engine with Renk transmission), but export restrictions imposed by European partners forced Türkiye to indigenize this component.

To overcome this challenge, Türkiye developed the BATU engine, a 1,500 hp indigenous V12 diesel powerplant produced by BMC Power, a subsidiary of the Turkish defense conglomerate BMC. The BATU engine is currently undergoing final qualification tests, and future batches of the Altay will be equipped with this fully Turkish-made propulsion system—marking a turning point in Türkiye’s defense independence.

Project Timeline and Evolution

• 2007: Altay main battle tank project launched under the Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB).

• 2008–2017: Design and prototype phases led by Otokar, with technology input from South Korea’s Hyundai Rotem.

• 2018: Production contract awarded to BMC, with Qatar later acquiring a minority share in the company.

• 2021–2023: Prototype testing phase; two pre-production tanks completed with German engines.

• 2025: Official delivery of the first batch of indigenous Altay tanks to the Turkish Armed Forces.

• 2026 onward: Full-scale mass production with locally produced BATU engines and Turkish-made fire control and armor systems.

International Cooperation and Export Prospects

The ceremony was also attended by Qatari Defence Minister Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, who praised the Türkiye-Qatar partnership in defense manufacturing. Qatar, which has invested in BMC, is expected to be the first export customer for the Altay MBT once production stabilizes.

“Today, we witness a strong collaboration between Türkiye and Qatar. We are proud that this partnership has put the Altay tank, produced domestically by BMC in Türkiye, into service,” Sheikh Saoud said.

Türkiye’s Defence Industries Presidency (SSB) aims to promote the Altay as a competitor in the global MBT market, targeting Middle Eastern, Asian, and African nations seeking advanced yet cost-effective alternatives to Western tanks.

Strategic Autonomy

President Erdoğan concluded his remarks by thanking BMC, SSB, Aselsan, Roketsan, and all engineers involved in the project. He reaffirmed Türkiye’s position as a global defense player, stating that the country is now among the top three producers of unmanned aerial vehicles and rapidly expanding in land and naval systems.

The Altay’s induction represents not just a new weapon for the Turkish military, but a symbol of technological independence and industrial resilience. Having overcome embargoes, supply restrictions, and design challenges, Türkiye now fields a tank that embodies its ambition to be self-reliant, export-capable, and strategically autonomous in modern warfare.