Turkiye To Begin Production Of 85 Altay Tanks Soon

Turkiye is poised to enter a new era of military self-reliance with the upcoming production of its indigenous Altay main battle tanks. Recent announcements from Turkish trade publications have revealed an ambitious delivery timeline for the Altay T1 and T2 variants, highlighting the nation’s commitment to domestic defense manufacturing capabilities.

Production Timeline

During a visit to BMC Group’s facilities, Professor Dr. Haluk Görgün, head of Turkiye Defense Industry Agency (SSB), outlined the roadmap for the Altay tank production. The schedule for the T1 variant spans from 2025 to 2028, with a carefully planned rollout: initially three units, followed by 11, then 41, and finally 30 more tanks, totaling 85 units. This first wave will serve as a foundation for training Turkish crews and identifying any operational issues that need refinement.

BMC is constructing a state of the art production facility in Ankara to bring this vision to reality. The plant, covering 840,000 square meters with 63,000 square meters dedicated to the production line, is scheduled to begin manufacturing Altay T1 tanks by August 2025. The facility features comprehensive production capabilities, including component preparation areas, welding stations, finishing zones, and dedicated test tracks to ensure each tank meets performance requirements before deployment.

Technical Specifications

The Altay tank represents Turkiye ambition to compete with global military powers. Named after General Fahrettin Altay from the Turkish War of Independence, this 65-ton armored vehicle combines advanced technology with tactical versatility. It features a 120mm smoothbore gun licensed from South Korea’s Hyundai Rotem, capable of firing various ammunition types with high precision, even while moving at speeds of up to 65 kilometers per hour.

Looking ahead, the Altay T2 variant is scheduled to begin production in 2028. This upgraded version will replace the South Korean DV27K engine and EST15K transmission with the domestically developed BATU power pack, representing a significant step toward technological independence. The T2 will also incorporate enhanced safety features, including a complete isolation system for stored ammunition to improve crew survivability.

Industry sources have also mentioned a potential T3 variant featuring a remotely operated unmanned turret, signaling Turkiye forward-thinking approach to armored warfare technology.

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Strategic Significance

The Altay tank program is both a military asset and a geopolitical statement about Turkiye growing defense industry autonomy. Development began in 2007 under Otokar with a $500 million contract, aiming to create a tank comparable to the American M1 Abrams or German Leopard 2. Despite challenges including engine supply issues and development complexities, the project continued with BMC taking over in 2018.

This domestic production initiative reflects Turkiye broader strategy to reduce dependence on foreign military equipment while building an industrial base capable of sustaining its modern military needs. As the August 2025 production launch approaches, the Altay tanks will represent not just military hardware but a milestone in Turkiye defense manufacturing capabilities and strategic independence.

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