Altay (Tank)

Altay is a third-generation main battle tank (MBT) developed and manufactured by Türkiye. The project was initiated to meet the modern combat tank requirements of the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF). The Altay aims to combine high firepower, mobility, and survivability. The primary contractor for the project is BMC, with technical support provided by South Korean company Hyundai Rotem during the design and development phase. The Altay is regarded as a major project of Türkiye’s defense industry and showcases the country’s technological capabilities in this field.

Altay Tank (BMC)

Development Process

The Altay tank project came to the forefront in the late 1990s as the TAF’s existing tank inventory proved inadequate for modern combat requirements. In 2007, a contract was signed between the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM) and Otokar, formally launching the initial phase of design and prototype development. During this phase, technical assistance was obtained from South Korean Hyundai Rotem, based on the technology of the K2 Black Panther tank. Following completion of the prototype development stage, an agreement was reached with BMC for series production. The series production process aims to equip the tank with indigenous subsystems, with the goal of developing and producing critical components such as the engine, transmission, and armor within Türkiye.

Technical Specifications

Altay Tank (BMC)

Series Production and Deliveries

Series production of the Altay tank has commenced, with the first deliveries planned for 2025. However, due to delays in the development of the domestic engine and transmission, the initial production units are expected to be equipped with the German MTU engine and Renk transmission. Development efforts for the indigenous powerpack are ongoing, with the goal of integrating domestic engine and transmission systems in later production batches.

Altay Tank (BMC)

Variants

• Altay: Base model.
• Altay AHT (Field Engineering Tank): A variant equipped with mine-clearing capabilities. This model can create safe passage routes through minefields using mine-clearing equipment mounted on its front.