One of the most prestigious projects of Türkiye’s defense industry, the Altay Main Battle Tank, is moving closer to mass production. Defense Industry President İsmail Demir, speaking at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD 2022) exhibition in Pretoria, South Africa, revealed that significant advancements have been made in securing the engine and powerpack required for the tank. Demir emphasized that engine procurement is of critical importance for transitioning Altay into full-scale production.

According to Demir, the work on the engine and power group has reached its final phase. Once testing is successfully completed, the Altay tank will be ready for mass production. This marks a decisive step toward achieving full independence in tank production, a long-standing goal for Türkiye’s defense industry.

The Altay tank project is set to bring a new level of strength to the Turkish Armed Forces, offering superior firepower, advanced armor protection, and high mobility. The progress in engine procurement represents a breakthrough that will pave the way for long-awaited mass production.

Beyond the Altay project, Demir also highlighted other strategic programs, including the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship TCG Anadolu, the MİLGEM İ-class frigates, the air defense destroyer project, and offshore patrol vessels. He further noted that the National Combat Aircraft (MMU) project’s engine development efforts are ongoing, with proposals from the Kale-Rolls Royce partnership currently under evaluation.

The Altay tank’s imminent entry into mass production is being closely watched not only within Türkiye but also across the international defense market. The project once again underscores the capabilities of Türkiye’s indigenous defense industry and its progress toward greater self-reliance.