Under the coordination of the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), Türkiye has achieved another milestone in its journey toward defense self-sufficiency. Turkish engineers at BMC have completed the first mass production batch of tactical wheeled armored vehicles powered entirely by indigenous engines. A total of 100 vehicles — 50 Vuran models for the Land Forces, 40 Vuran models for the Gendarmerie, and 10 Kirpi models for the Land Forces — have now officially entered the inventory.

At the handover ceremony held at BMC’s İzmir Pınarbaşı facilities, SSB President Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün emphasized that Türkiye’s defense industry not only meets the needs of the Turkish Armed Forces but also provides reliable and cost-effective solutions for allied and friendly nations. He noted that Türkiye surpassed its 2023 export goal by achieving $7.1 billion in defense exports, a 29% increase over the target.

Görgün also announced that the country’s main battle tank, Altay, will enter mass production by the end of 2025, alongside new deliveries of amphibious assault vehicles, modernized armored personnel carriers, and next-generation 6x6 and 8x8 tactical vehicles. Land Forces Commander Gen. Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu highlighted that locally powered armored vehicles have become a critical component of modern ground operations, enhancing speed, protection, and firepower in conflict zones such as northern Iraq and Syria.

BMC Chairman Fuat Tosyalı proudly stated that the Kirpi and Vuran models now boast a 95% localization rate, including their engines — a key step toward full technological independence. Equipped with advanced reconnaissance systems, superior maneuverability, and high armor protection, these vehicles will significantly enhance the operational efficiency of Türkiye’s security forces.

The induction of these 100 domestically powered armored vehicles marks a turning point for Türkiye’s defense industry. It strengthens the country’s land capabilities while underscoring its growing technological independence in military manufacturing — a reflection of the national vision for a fully self-reliant defense sector.