Türkiye's BMC will deliver the first batch of its domestically produced ALTAY main battle tanks to the Turkish Armed Forces on October 28, according to the Presidency of Defense Industries. The ceremony will coincide with the official opening of BMC’s Ankara Tank and Next Generation Armored Vehicle Production Facility in Kahramankazan.
The ALTAY project aims to meet the army’s main battle tank requirements through local production. The initial phase of serial production will use imported powerpacks, to be followed by integration of the domestically developed BATU powerpack. Under the program, a total of 250 tanks will be produced for the Turkish Land Forces Command—85 in the T1 configuration and 165 in the upgraded T2 version.
Following localization efforts and technology upgrades, the “New ALTAY” has been developed with enhanced combat capabilities. The tank now incorporates an active protection system, a new powerpack, an improved armor system, and an upgraded fire control and vehicle management system. Several components have also been indigenized, including the reducer, gunner’s secondary sight, tracks, turret ring gear, fuel and hydraulic pumps, mobile camouflage net, periscope, and rotor.
The ALTAY T1 variant features a comprehensive protection package against modern battlefield threats. In addition to passive armor, the tank is equipped with new-generation explosive reactive armor (ERA) and cage armor for defense against rocket-propelled grenades and guided missiles. Its active protection system provides 360-degree coverage against anti-tank weapons. Ammunition compartments are reinforced with blast suppression measures, and the turret’s rear section has been expanded to increase crew safety.
ALTAY’s firepower is supported by an advanced fire control system designed for high accuracy under various operational conditions. The tank’s mobility and survivability are optimized through a hybrid protection concept and improved agility. BMC delivered early production models to the Turkish Armed Forces in 2023 for serial production testing.
The T2 configuration, which will follow the T1 deliveries, is expected to include additional features and system enhancements developed from feedback and operational testing.