Turkey has taken a crucial step toward the construction of its first main battle tank, the Altay, with the opening of its first electromagnetic compatibility tank test center in the northwestern province of Sakarya.

Thanks to the center, the first tank designed by Koç-owned Otokar – which will build the Altay – will enter into service by 2017, Defense Minister İsmet Yılmaz said yesterday at the facility’s opening ceremony. “It is so valuable for us. It is the apple of our eye.”
Otokar, a Turkish automotive manufacturer specializing in commercial and military vehicles, has signaled plans to move into the production of electric tanks.

“We are thinking about producing electric tanks. This may play a significant role in the defense industry tactically in addition to being environmentally friendly,” said Otokar General Manager Serdar Görgüç, daily Hürriyet reported yesterday.

Otokar, a Koç Holding company, manufactured Turkey’s first electric bus, Doruk Electra, launching it last week. Görgüç said Otokar made a $1 million investment in the last five years to develop the electric bus.

Embed CodePlays: 2003 (Embed: 0)

what the guy just said :

Bir Türk tankı = A Turkish Tank

Turkish dream of half a century, a tank the world press wants to display... Altay. (This came from our tank project that has been canceled when it was about to finish by Ismet Inonu because of US demands for entering NATO)

Now we are getting insede of production center thanks to our special permission. Very important part of the project has been completed. The first prototype is about to be built and near me this model is a mock up for presentation on international defence industiry fair.

After two years of developing process there might be some changes done by engineers but to our latest knowledge tank will have this general features.

Engine Power: 1500 hp

Weight: 60 tn

Max. Speed: 90 km/hr

Operational Range: 500km

Crew: 4

Unit Cost: 5.4 million $

Nuclear, chemical and biological filter system

There will be system to protect the crew from inside pressure and cabin fire.

The electronic system will be work independent from engines. ( I don't know what this actually does but I think this is about still beinh operational even the engine is damaged or fuel runs out )

Counter messures against guided missiles.

This year first prototype will be tested for speed, agility and operational range. The seconf prototype will be built when the first one is still on field tests. ( They didn't said anything about when the second one will be built)

There are 40 companies and 500 engineers working for Altay project, their goal is that passing the tests and finishing the project in 3 years.

View comments (79)