Altay tanks were developed in Turkey. They are a third generation main-battalion tank (MBT) that is based on an indigenous design. This is the first indigenous tank design program for the country since World War II. The project is broken into two stages: the first phase covers the initial 250 units, while the second phase focuses on an enhanced version of the tank.
The Altay tank development project was funded by $1 billion from the Turkish Ministry of Defense. It plans to make 1,000 Altay tanks here. Other Gulf countries could also be interested. However, the first serial production contract has yet to be signed.
Developing the Altay tank is a joint effort by Turkish manufacturers and a number of foreign partners. MKEK, Turkey's manufacturer of Rheinmetall Rh120 guns, will license its main armament. The vehicle will use an advanced computerized Volkan-III modular fire control system. ROKESTAN will manufacture the armor system in Ankara, while Aselsan will manufacture controls.
Initially, the Altay design was to be powered by a German 1,500 horsepower MTU engine. Turkish companies are not able to manufacture an engine that meets these requirements. The Turkish government announced a $1 billion competition for an engine for the tank. It is expected that engines for the Altay will be supplied by two Korean companies. Caterpillar's European division is currently in negotiations with Ankara to supply an engine for this tank.
At the 2011 Defense Exhibition, Istanbul, the first prototype of Altay was revealed. The tank's turret is a mockup. The sideskirts have not been added. The tank comes with a smoothbore gun 120mm L/55. Otokar built four prototypes under a government contract and passed testing. These prototypes are now in use for mobility tests. Another prototype is planned for firing tests. All tests of endurance and survivability have been passed. The third prototype will be built by 2013.
Turkey's defense industries have grown quickly over the past 10 years. There are more companies here than in Japan or Sweden. Seven companies also make it on the Top 100 Global Defense Companies. BMC was founded in 2010 when the Turkish government began leasing a military-owned tank plant. BMC signed an agreement with the government for mass production Altay tank tanks. The contract calls for the creation of a plant in Turkey, with BMC expected to begin construction within two years.
The Altay program is divided into two phases: the first phase covers the initial 250 tanks, and the second phase is a modified tank with an improved armament. The new tank will be ready for service in 2020. The tank's main armament will be the Rheinmetall Rh120 pistol, which will be licensed in Turkey. Aselsan will produce its control system.
Altay tank development began in 2008. The Turkish government allocated $1 billion to this project. Otokar was the one who built the Altay's prototype. It passed all testing. Nearly 100 companies are involved in the project. Some foreign companies are being considered for complex systems integration design.