Türkiye’s First Locally Produced Altay Tank Set for 2025 Delivery
Ankara, The Gulf Observer: Türkiye’s first domestically manufactured Altay main battle tank, developed by defense contractor BMC, is set to enter the Turkish Army’s inventory in 2025, marking a significant milestone in the country’s defense industry.
Haluk Görgün, the head of Türkiye’s Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), announced on Monday that construction activities for the armored vehicle, as well as the production of its engine and power transmission systems, are progressing rapidly.
“This year, as promised, we will be delivering our first mass-produced tanks to our heroic army. Our current plans are to open our facility in August and to commence and sustain the production of all our armored vehicles,” Görgün stated.
Following the initial delivery of three Altay tanks in 2025, SSB aims to provide 85 tanks in the T1 configuration: 11 in 2026, 41 in 2027, and 30 in 2028. By 2028, a total of 165 units are expected to be in service.
Görgün emphasized Türkiye’s growing reputation in the global land defense sector, highlighting that over 4,500 armored vehicles have been exported to approximately 50 countries. “We continue our efforts to increase the rate of localization and nationalization,” he added.
In addition to the Altay tank, Türkiye’s defense industry will introduce the next-generation PARS ALPHA 8×8 and 6×6 armored vehicles into the Turkish Armed Forces’ inventory for the first time. A contract for the “Next-Generation Vehicle Project” was signed on Monday between SSB and FNSS, a leading defense company.
Under the agreement, FNSS will deliver the PARS ALPHA 8×8 Anti-Armor Squad and Armored Recovery variants in the first phase, followed by the PARS ALPHA 6×6 Command Post variants equipped with four different mission capabilities.
Developed with FNSS’ 35 years of expertise, the PARS ALPHA represents the fifth generation of the PARS armored vehicle family. The vehicle offers superior mobility in all terrains and weather conditions, featuring an innovative all-wheel-drive, ride-height control, and an all-axle steering system. Its high payload capacity allows for easy integration of diverse systems, making the 8×8 configuration particularly well-suited for modern military logistics.
The introduction of the Altay tank and the PARS ALPHA armored vehicles underscores Türkiye’s commitment to strengthening its indigenous defense capabilities and reducing reliance on foreign suppliers.
