Türkiye has successfully completed factory acceptance tests of the BATU engine, developed with national resources to power the ALTAY main battle tank, according to a statement by the Defense Industries Presidency (SSB).
The SSB said the acceptance tests for the domestically developed engine were carried out under its coordination and completed as scheduled, marking a key milestone in Türkiye’s efforts to localize critical armored vehicle subsystems.
Transmission Integration Tests Ongoing
While factory acceptance testing of the engine has been finalized, transmission integration testing and qualification activities for the BATU power group are continuing in line with the program timeline.
Defense officials noted that the engine development program, launched in 2018, initially faced significant challenges related to engineering infrastructure, testing capacity, supply-chain limitations, and human resources. These gaps were addressed through the establishment of simulation, production, and advanced testing capabilities, enabling the successful completion of the engine’s development and validation phases.
Designed for High Mobility and Harsh Conditions
Developed to meet the high mobility requirements of the ALTAY tank, the BATU engine is designed to deliver strong performance across key criteria, including low fuel consumption, extended service life, high-altitude operation, and reliability in extreme climatic conditions.
The BATU Power Group, which provides mobility for the tank, consists of the engine, transmission, and cooling system components.
Domestic Transmission Now a Priority
With the engine now qualified, officials said the development and qualification of a fully domestic transmission has become a priority objective. Work in this area is continuing as part of the broader effort to fully localize the ALTAY tank’s mobility systems.
SSB: “Not an Endpoint, but a New Beginning”
SSB President Haluk Görgün described the BATU engine as a symbol of Turkey’s growing engineering capability.
“The BATU engine is a concrete demonstration of the engineering maturity and strategic vision achieved by Turkey’s defense industry,” Görgün said. “Developed with domestic and national resources, it has the potential to eliminate our dependence on foreign sources in this field.”
He added that transmission development efforts—critical to the full localization of ALTAY’s mobility—were progressing successfully, stressing that the milestone should be seen as a starting point rather than a conclusion.
“We will continue to pursue the goal of a fully independent defense industry with determination,” Görgün said.
