Altay, Turkey’s indigenously-produced main battle tank, has been long in the making, and has yet to enter service, so the “big regional demand†seen by the Turkish government is unlikely to translate into immediate orders. (Twitter photo)
Posted on 01/08/2016 4:47:12 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
ANKARA --- Altay, Turkey’s first domestic tank in the making, has received much interest from the country’s allies, said Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM) head İsmail Demir said Jan. 7 during a presentation at parliament.
“Including Pakistan and the Gulf countries, we can say that countries that we have good relations with are showing a large interest in the tank. Representatives of some countries are being invited to the ongoing firing tests,†he said, adding that the tests were extremely satisfying.
“Lately, we have seen that Saudi Arabia’s interest was big,†he said.
The SSM officials said at the briefing that five prototypes of the tank have been produced and succeeded in tests in different spots across Turkey.
The winter tests of the tank would soon be done at the Sarıkamış district in the eastern province of Kars, known for its challenging climate conditions.
Demir’s deputy, Köksal Liman, said the SSM had a sum of $6.2 billion of funding from the Defense Industry Support Fund and some $2 billion of the total was still in a bank account.
Liman briefed the lawmakers on 13 other projects, including a long-range anti-tank missile, a modern infantry rifle, a domestic ship, a landing platform dock and submarine.
Altay, Turkey’s indigenously-produced main battle tank, has been long in the making, and has yet to enter service, so the “big regional demand†seen by the Turkish government is unlikely to translate into immediate orders. (Twitter photo)
Why do I want to laugh, hard?
I’m sure it is deadly, I just am so proud and awed by American lethality, that I....am humbled by the blessings of our country. GOD continue to bless us, please.
It looks like a M1A1 made in Mexico.
Big shot trap in the lower front face of the turret.
Some ancestry from the Leopard II, maybe.
T-14 target practice ...
Probably has Chobham armor, since they’re NATO. Sadly!
I’d spend the extra money and get the Sport Mirrors Package. It’ll make it go faster.
Oh, and don’t forget the leather trim shift knob.
Apparently not. Per Wikipedia entry: The tank will benefit both from indigenously developed systems and from the armor technology of the South Korean K2 Black Panther
It does use the more-or-less NATO-standard Rheinmetall 120 mm gun, and a 1500-HP German MTU Diesel for the first two production runs of 250 tanks each, upgraded to a 1,800 hp MTU for the final two production lots. But interestingly, they're looking at an electric [Diesel-electric] prime mover for eventual use, pointing out that the thermal signature of a Diesel engine can make it satellite sensor/IR thermal viewer bait.
On 15 October 2010, Otokar signed contract with MTU and Renk for the supply of power pack.
On 15 December 2010, Defence Industry Executive Committee decided to start the development of national power pack.
On 10 May 2011, Aselsan was contracted by the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries to design and develop two Battlefield Target Identification Device (BTID) prototypes.
On 11 May 2011, the mock-up of Altay tank was introduced to the public in IDEF2011.
On 18 October 2012, the first Altay was put on trials although lacking side skirts and using a mock-up turret to simulate a real turret.
On 16 November 2012, two Altay prototypes successfully passed initial acceptance tests, paving the way for serial production 2 years earlier than expected, two more prototypes will be built by 2013 or 2014.
The remaining two prototypes have been delivered to the Turkish Land Forces
No side skirts over the tracks; that may be the preproduction mockup fitted with a dummy turret.
I'd be kind of curious about which road wheel to aim at. With a fuel tank for a 1500/1800 Diesel engine fitted, [power range of a 1960s railroad locomotive] you know that thing drinks fuel like...well, Turkish Coffee?
No side skirts over the tracks; that may be the preproduction mockup fitted with a dummy turret.
I'd be kind of curious about which road wheel to aim at. With a fuel tank for a 1500/1800 Diesel engine fitted, [power range of a 1960s railroad locomotive] you know that thing drinks fuel like...well, Turkish Coffee?
Not that much. Not from in front, anyway.
Maybe I've just got a tank gunner's perspective.
#8 Get the Go faster stripes.
Oh, well that’s a relief actually. The number one and two things imo about tanks that are important are the armor/NBC and the fire control system.
I know a fairly largish number of Israeli tank crewman who would disagree with you about that point. And I was taught the same thing as a bright-eyed and bushytailed 11E10 tank crewdawg at the Armor School at Ft Knox in 1966, and have seen nothing since to change that opinion, at least not since last year when I was around those Israeli tankers on a regular/mostly daily basis for about eight months.
Likewise, both German Generals Guderian and Rommel wrote the same thing, as did one George S. Patton. But MGEN *Talik,* Israel Tal, the genius behind Israel's Merchavim proved them all right.
I guess you know that about 1/3 of the F35 pilots are former Warthawg drivers ordered to transition to the F35 or go to non-rated [ie: non-flying] duties.
Well, a cursory glance at the posted photos on a cell phone would lead me to think a Sabot round into the lower half of the turret front might deflect into the turret ring. The beasty would be easy to track, and a shot at the turret side rear half might get me an ammo rack. Not difficult shots for a good Gunner.
Regards ,
Of course, they’ll likely ERA the heck out of the turret and sides though...
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