First Altay tank to enter Turkish army inventory this year

The first Altay tank will be delivered to the Turkish Armed Forces this year, according to Haluk Gorgun, head of the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB).

Gorgun stated that a total of 85 tanks will be delivered by 2028, marking a significant step in Türkiye’s efforts to modernize its defense capabilities.

During a visit to the BMC Ankara armored vehicle production facility in Kahramankazan, Gorgun inspected the site and received updates on its operations.

The facility, which will manufacture both armored vehicles and the engines and power transmission systems they require, is currently under rapid construction.

Altay tank production and delivery timeline

Gorgun confirmed that serial production of the Altay tank is progressing according to schedule: “This year, as promised, we will deliver the first tanks from serial production to our heroic army. Our current plan is to inaugurate the facility in August, initiate the production process for all necessary armored vehicles, and continue operations accordingly.

The Altay tank project is a highly anticipated platform incorporating advanced technology. More than 600 firms are involved in this project, working in collaboration with our main contractor, BMC, as well as Aselsan, Roketsan and Havelsan. In 2025, we will deliver three tanks, followed by 11 in 2026, 41 in 2027, and 30 in 2028, totaling 85 tanks.”

Beyond this initial batch, Gorgun noted that an additional 165 tanks are planned for production in the subsequent years, bringing the total to 250 units.

The Altay tank is equipped with advanced firepower, command and control systems, and other high-tech subsystems, enhancing its operational capabilities.

Türkiye’s advancements in armored vehicle production

Highlighting Türkiye’s growing defense industry, Gorgun stated that the country has already exported more than 4,500 armored vehicles to over 50 nations.

He emphasized continued efforts to increase domestic production capabilities: “Our work on localizing both engine and power transmission systems is ongoing. The 400-horsepower, 600-horsepower, 800-horsepower, 1,000-horsepower, and the 1,500-horsepower BATU engine, which will power the Altay tank, are all being designed and manufactured at the facilities here.

By eliminating dependence on foreign sources for these components, we are ensuring that domestically produced engines and power transmission systems are used in all our land vehicles. Our efforts to increase domestic production and reduce foreign dependency will continue.”

BMC prepares for mass production

Fuat Tosyali, chairman of the Board of BMC, emphasized that the facility is set to become a key player in domestic armored vehicle production:

“Our armored vehicle testing ground here is among the most advanced globally. Additionally, we have established a modern training center within our facility. We are now counting down to mass production and have made the new Altay tank ready for serial manufacturing.”

The factory, including the BMC Power facility, will cover a total area of 840,000 square meters, with the serial production line occupying 63,000 square meters of enclosed space.

The facility will include component preparation, welded manufacturing, final assembly, sandblasting and painting, assembly lines, and a dedicated testing track.

Technical features and future plans

The Altay tank is designed as a next-generation main battle tank, featuring enhanced armor protection, advanced firepower, and high mobility to meet modern combat requirements.

While the initial T1 configuration optimizes existing systems, the upcoming T2 configuration will introduce improvements such as:

• Upgraded armor system
• Isolated hull ammunition configuration
• Laser-guided tank gun firing capability
• Crew training mode
• Mobile camouflage network and signature management

The production schedule is as follows:

• Altay-T1 deliveries:
  • 2025: Three tanks
  • 2026: 11 tanks
  • 2027: 41 tanks
  • 2028: 30 tanks
  • Total: 85 tanks
• Altay-T2 deliveries:
  • 165 tanks beginning in 2028

Once fully operational, the facility is expected to produce up to eight Altay tanks and 10 Altug 8×8 armored vehicles per month. At full capacity, the facility will employ over 1,500 personnel, including engineers and production staff.

The BMC factory will also serve as a key testing and qualification site, with dedicated facilities to evaluate the durability and performance of both tracked and wheeled armored vehicles.

A 290,000-square-meter test track will be complemented by workshops for maintenance and testing equipment calibration.

The Turkish Armed Forces currently possess a variety of main battle tanks, including Leopard 2A4, Leopard 1, M60TM, M60A3 and M48A5T2 models.

The most advanced of these are the Leopard 2A4 and M60TM, built in the U.S. and Germany respectively, and are being modernized by Türkiye’s indigenous efforts to keep the tanks up to date on new, changing battlefields.