Türkiye’s ALTAY Main Battle Tank is not only a symbol of military modernization but also a showcase of the country’s rapidly advancing industrial automation capabilities. At the BMC Ankara Tank and Next-Generation Armored Vehicle Production Facility—located within the Ankara Aerospace and Aviation Specialized Industrial Zone (HAB)—locally developed robotic systems are now at the core of ALTAY’s high-tech production processes. The 63,000-square-meter mass production line is designed to manufacture eight ALTAY tanks and ten ALTUĞ 8x8 vehicles per month, supported by cutting-edge robotic and digital manufacturing technologies.

In the early stages of production, armored steel plates undergo precision cutting, bending, drilling, and edge preparation before being transferred to robotic welding lines. These steels, up to 150 mm thick, require exceptional precision and consistency—capabilities provided by Türkiye’s new generation of industrial robots. One of the most critical phases of ALTAY and ALTUĞ production is the welding of armored structures, which must meet stringent ballistic and mine protection standards. For this reason, all weld zones are subjected to 100% inspection using X-ray and PAUT ultrasonic testing.

To meet these requirements, the facility employs 38 robot positioners with varying load capacities—up to 50 tons—distributed across eight robotic welding lines in three large production halls. Approximately 85% of full-penetration weld areas on ALTAY and ALTUĞ are performed entirely by these robots. Digital twin simulations ensure that welding arms can access every required angle and surface, optimizing production before physical work even begins. After welding, final machining removes any deformation, and laser scanning robots measure each structure with micrometric precision.

INTECRO Robotics, one of Türkiye’s leading industrial robotics developers, plays a critical role in this transformation. According to company chairman A. Ali Şen, the robot systems they delivered for ALTAY are not only precise but also “intelligent and adaptive.” These robots can detect errors, compensate for tolerances, and adjust welding parameters in real time. Such capabilities ensure consistent quality and minimize production disruptions. The systems can identify small preparation faults and automatically correct them, making high-standard, repeatable manufacturing possible.

Remarkably, around 90% of the robots used in the project were produced locally at HAB facilities, incorporating high domestic content. These multi-axis robotic systems operate with remarkable precision—accurate to 0.05 millimeters—making them indispensable assistants to the engineers and technicians working on Türkiye’s most complex armored vehicle programs.

INTECRO’s seven-year journey of testing, R&D, qualification, and supply-chain preparation before joining the ALTAY production program reflects the depth of commitment behind Türkiye’s industrial autonomy goals. The integration of advanced robotics into ALTAY’s manufacturing process demonstrates that Türkiye has evolved from a user of armored vehicle technologies into a developer and pioneer capable of shaping next-generation production standards.