Türkiye entered a new phase in its national main battle tank program with the opening of the BMC Ankara Tank and New Generation Armored Vehicles Production Facility, where the first two Altay tanks were handed over to the Turkish Armed Forces. The plant, designed for high-capacity manufacturing, will produce 8 Altay main battle tanks and 10 Altuğ armored vehicles per month — with Altuğ described as the “fortress” of the battlefield.
Speaking at the opening and delivery ceremony, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan emphasized that the Altay program marks a major leap forward, “We are no longer just a follower, but a leader. With Altay, we have opened the doors to a new era in tank technology.”
He highlighted that Turkey continues to take firm steps toward full defense industry independence as determined by the Defense Industry Executive Committee.
Production and Industrial Capacity
- The closed production area covers 63,000 m²
- 96 Altay tanks per year production target
- Supported by Turkey’s national BATU power group
- Program workforce:
- 800 engineers
- 1,250 workers
- 96 subcontractors
- 17.5 million engineering hours invested
BMC Chairman Fuat Tosyalı noted that the facility ranks among the world’s top five armored vehicle production factories and top three in Europe for technology and efficiency.
Proven in Harsh Testing
The Altay has been upgraded with advanced systems to meet modern battlefield requirements:
- Completed 35,000 km mobility tests
- 3,700 live-fire trials
- Deliveries to units have officially begun
Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler stated that Altay will significantly boost the combat power of the Turkish Land Forces and improve crew survivability in high-intensity warfare.
Technical Specifications — At a Glance
| Feature | Altay Tank Specification |
|---|---|
| Main Gun | 120 mm / 55-caliber, produced by MKE, 6 rpm, NATO-standard |
| Secondary Weapon | PMT 76/57T MG — ~12 kg, 950 rpm, named after the 57th Regiment |
| Ammo Capacity | 40 rounds |
| Survivability | AKKOR Active Protection System, advanced armor suite |
| Fire Accuracy | New-generation Fire Control System |
| Support | 2-year warranty and 6-year logistical support |
MKE oversees production and lifecycle support of the Altay’s primary and secondary weapon systems.
