In serial form: the Turkish army received new prototypes of the Altay tank
One of the first prototypes of the Altay MBT, built in the XNUMXs
Türkiye continues to implement a program for the development and production of its own main combat tank Altay. Despite a lot of problems, work continues and regularly gives reason for optimism. So, recently the contractor company BMC manufactured and handed over to the customer the first two tanks in serial form. Now they have to pass tests, the results of which will decide the issue of launching a full-fledged series.
Intermediate result
Recall that the idea of developing their own tank came from the Turkish military back in the mid-nineties. However, the real project called "Altai" (named after General Fakhrettin Altai) started only in 2007. The next few years were spent on developing the first versions of the project. Otokar acted as the lead developer. In the first half of the XNUMXs, she produced several experimental tanks.
Later, the development was transferred to BMC Otomotiv Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. In November 2018, a contract for the serial production of tanks appeared, with a total of 250 units planned to be built. The start of production was scheduled for 2020. However, at this stage, there were problems with access to the necessary foreign components. The search for a replacement for them led to a significant shift in the timing.
The development of a new configuration of the Altay tank, suitable for mass production, continued until 2022. In addition, in 2022-23. signed several large contracts for the supply of necessary components of Turkish and foreign production. In particular, these documents stipulate the supply of power plant and transmission units for the next few years. With their help, the implementation of the existing order for serial MBTs will be ensured.
Ceremony for the transfer of serial appearance tanks, April 23, 2023
Against the background of these events in 2021-22. construction began on two more experimental tanks in the intended serial form. At the beginning of last year, the Turkish leadership announced that they would be completed and put to the test in 2023.
"New Altai"
A few weeks ago, in March 2023, BMC announced that two tanks of serial appearance would be handed over to the customer in April. Despite all the previous problems of the program and repeated delays, this time the promises were kept.
On April 23, a solemn ceremony of handing over two new tanks took place at the BMC Savunma Arifiye plant (Sakarya). The event was attended by the top leadership of Turkey. The necessary papers were signed, and speeches were made on the topic of recent industrial successes and the significance of the Altay project for national security. In addition, they expressed hope for the speedy completion of the current stage of the project and the transition to the series.
Previously, the first serial version of the tank was designated as Altay T1. However, in the course of recent improvements, the configuration of the machine has seriously changed. In this regard, the developer company offers the unofficial name Yeni Altay ("New Altai"). Whether it will go to the official level is unknown.
Head of state and experienced MBT
At the ceremony, it was announced that two tanks would soon go to the training ground for testing. It is planned to check the new technical appearance and composition of the units, as well as to confirm the design characteristics. In addition, if necessary, the design will be re-finished.
Future series
The tests of the two New Altais will continue until approximately 2025. After they are completed, in the absence of new problems, BMC will have to start mass production of tanks for the Turkish army. The first batches of equipment will go to the troops at the beginning of the second half of the decade.
According to the 2018 contract, the Turkish ground forces should receive 250 tanks of the new model. In the future, the emergence of new production contracts is not ruled out, however, such orders will be issued only in the distant future, perhaps in the next decade.
There are still a few years left before the start of serial production of MBT Altay, but the necessary cooperation is already being prepared and relevant cooperation agreements are being signed. So, in March 2021, BMC signed contracts with South Korean firms Doosan Infracore and SNT Dynamics. The first will have to supply DV27K engines, and the second will receive EST15K automatic transmissions.
In 2022 and 2023, additional agreements appeared to clarify the terms of cooperation. So, in January 2023, we agreed on a schedule for the delivery of EST15K products. By the end of 2027, 90 such transmissions are expected, and by December 2030 another 150 will be delivered. Such a delivery schedule allows us to imagine the approximate pace of future production of tanks.
Serial appearance
According to the results of the last revision, the original Altay project has changed significantly. Individual components and systems were improved, and a number of units went under replacement. As a result, as stated, Yeni Altai compares favorably with previous experimental MBTs and should show higher technical and combat characteristics.
While maintaining the general design features, protection has been enhanced. The hull and turret of the serial appearance have an updated combined armor in the frontal projection. The Aselsan AKKOR active protection complex is also used, the installation of which was worked out in the past. The previously announced on-board electronic warfare complex, apparently, is not yet available.
Initially, the Altai project used a German-made power plant, but then Germany refused to supply such units for political reasons. The serial appearance of the MBT provides for the use of a South Korean DV27K diesel engine with a power of 1500 hp, combined with an EST15K automatic transmission. Such a power unit was originally developed for the K2 Black Panther tank.
The complex of weapons in the "new" project has not undergone fundamental changes. Main weapons is still a 120 mm gun from the Turkish company MKE. The Aselsan VOLCAN-II fire control system is used. As an additional weapon, a coaxial machine gun of normal caliber and an Aselsan SARP combat module with a heavy machine gun were used.
Despite the replacement of units and the emergence of new systems, the combat weight of the tank in serial form remained within 65 tons, as required by the original terms of reference. Specific power not less than 23 hp per ton should provide high mobility and maneuverability in all conditions. The crew includes four people.
Solved Tasks
The promising Turkish MBT Altay has been developed for more than 15 years, but has not yet reached mass production and has not hit the troops. According to current plans, the army will have to wait for this technique for another two to three years. The reasons for this delay in work and the constant postponement of deadlines are obvious. Turkey had no experience in developing modern tanks, and at some point lost the support of a key foreign partner.
BMC and subcontractors eventually managed to solve new problems and find suppliers of the required units, which have already been included in the updated project. The serial appearance of the Yeni Altay is embodied in metal, and now the two tanks have to confirm the calculated characteristics. If they cope with the tests, the first Turkish MBT will go into series. Otherwise, the schedule of a promising program will have to be revised once again.
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