Local firm Tümosan in talks on indigenous tank project

ANKARA

Turkey is accelerating its homemade tank projects.

Turkey’s top defense industry decision-making body has said it has begun talks with engine maker Tümosan in connection with the Turkey’s first domestic main battle tank project, the Altay.

The Albayrak Group subsidiary company, which manufactures diesel motors for several platforms, particularly tractors, will produce a tank motor for the first time.

According to a statement released Aug. 12 by the Defense Industry Executive Committee, headed by outgoing Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, 250 motors will be manufactured for the Altay tank in the first stage.

The decision to kick off negotiations with Tümosan was taken during the committee’s Aug. 6 meeting.
Koç’s armored vehicles manufacturer Otokar designed, developed and produced four prototypes of the Altay as part of a $500 million contract.

The 65-ton tank is designed to reach speeds of 80 kilometers per hour, and a large contract for its serial production is expected to be awarded soon.