Turkish Otokar submits final offer for Altay MBT serial production

Image: Otokar Otomotiv ve Savunma Sanayi

Turkish armoured vehicles specialist Otokar Otomotiv ve Savunma Sanayi announced it has submitted its final offer to the country's armament procurement agency, the SSM (Savunma Sanayii Müsteşarlığı) to start serial production of the Altay main battle tank (MBT) for the Turkish Land Forces Command (TLFC).

A first offer was submitted on 18 January by the company owned by Turkish conglomerate Koç Holding. The vehicle was developed by Otokar Otomotiv ve Savunma Sanayi with assistance of Hyundai ROTEM.

Four prototypes of Altay were manufactured according to a contract awarded by SSM on 23 July 2008 as part of the country's Milli İmkanlarla Modern Tank Üretim Projesi (MİTÜP) project. The contract corresponded to the Phase 1 (Dönem I) of the project and comprised "Conceptual Design", "Detailed Design", and "Prototype Development and Qualification" stages with one Mobility Test Rig, one Firing Test Rig, and PV1 and PV2 prototypes produced. A contract part of MİTÜP's Phase II (Dönem II) will see serial production from 2018 of an initial 250 MBTs and integrated logistics support. Other potential bidders are local firms BMC Savunma and FNSS Savunma Sistemleri.

Major subcontractors of the development phase were Aselsan for the electronics, Makina ve Kimya Endüstrisi (MKE) for the main gun and Roketsan for the modular protection package.   Turk Motor Sanayi ve Ticaret (TÜMOSAN) was awarded the development of the power pack for Altay.

Altay is equipped with 120mm/L55 calibre smoothbore gun fitted with fume extractor, thermal sleeve, muzzle reference system and guided missile firing capability; power pack consisting of 1500 hp diesel engine; fully automatic transmission; fire control system incorporating gunner's and commander's panoramic sights and gunner’s auxiliary sight unit; life support system; automatic fire extinguishing and explosion suppression system; nuclear and chemical detection suite; auxiliary power unit; laser warning system; modular composite armour; pre-heating system, automatic weather sensor; battlefield target identification system; battle management system; TKKMBS integrated command and control system; front and rear thermal and day cameras for the driver; situational awareness system for 360º coverage; coaxial machine gun; SARP remote weapon station; AKKOR active protection system; two banks of eight grenade dischargers each; hydro-pneumatic suspension; and electric driven gun turret drive system.

Optionally, it can be fitted with additional mine protection kit. Additional machine gun can be mounted on the left side of the turret roof and operated by the loader.

It has a specially designed hull bottom which comprises a combination of flat belly and special form of V-shaped hull. A monocoque chassis ensures structural integrity and enhanced protection.

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