First national tank designed, now assembly begins

Under the “Altay” tank project, launched by the Undersecretariat for the Defense Industry (SSM), Otokar will build modern tanks in cooperation with Hyundai Rotem and Germany's MTU. Defense authorities had allocated $500 million to fund the production of the prototype.

The tanks' modular shield will be designed by Turkey's Roketsan while MTU will provide the diesel engines for Turkey's first national tank.

Speaking to Today's Zaman, Otokar General Manager Serdar Görgüç said the first national tank will be introduced to the public at the end of summer. Highlighting that the tank had been designed entirely by Turkish engineers, Görgüç said in a reference to those criticizing the production of tanks at a time when war methods have changed: “If you want to step on a strong ground, you have to have advanced tanks. Tanks will remain indispensible to all armies around the world for many years to come. When Altay is completed, it will be the number one tank in the world.”