Otokar submits proposal for mass production of Altay tank

ISTANBUL

Koç Holding’s Otokar has said it has submitted a proposal to Turkey’s defense authorities to bid in a tender for the mass production of the country’s indigenous battle tank Altay.

In a statement to the Public Disclosure Platform (KAP) late on Nov. 16, Otokar said it submitted the proposal to the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM) on that day.

FNSS also submitted an offer for the new tender, state-run Anadolu Agency reported on Nov. 17.

Otokar, which developed the Altay prototype, made a final offer to start mass production in August 2016, but the SSM on June 9 refused to accept the company’s offer, citing “disagreements over some contract terms, mainly over price.” It added that the SSM would likely meet the needs through a tender.

A new tender process subsequently started.

Regarding the “Modern Tank Production Project by using National Sources” (Altay Project) of SSM, Otokar said on June 9 that if it “participates in the tender, the necessary disclosures will be made related to the relevant regulations.”

In accordance with the “Modern Tank Production Project with National Opportunities – 1st Period Turkish Main Combat Tank Design and Prototype Production Main Agreement” signed with the SSM in 2008, Otokar completed the development process and prototype production.