Türkiye’s indigenous ALTAY Main Battle Tank owes much of its enhanced firepower to the advanced weapon systems developed by the Machinery and Chemical Industry Corporation (MKE). As one of the country’s oldest and most capable defense manufacturers, MKE provides both the main gun and secondary weapon systems that define ALTAY’s striking power on the modern battlefield.

The tank’s primary armament, the 120 mm 55-caliber main gun, was engineered using high-strength special-alloy steel to withstand intense combat conditions. Measuring 7.118 meters in length and weighing approximately three tons, the weapon system delivers an effective range of up to 3,000 meters. Fully compatible with NATO-standard ammunition, the main gun achieves a firing rate of six rounds per minute—combining destructive force with precise accuracy. This domestically produced system significantly enhances ALTAY’s lethality and operational reliability.

ALTAY’s secondary weapon is the PMT 76/57T machine gun, also designed by MKE. Named in honor of the heroic 57th Regiment of Çanakkale, the 57T distinguishes itself through its high rate of fire—up to 950 rounds per minute—and its stable, accurate shooting characteristics. Weighing around 12 kilograms, the weapon offers rapid-response capability against close-range threats, reinforcing the tank’s defensive posture in intense combat environments.

The ALTAY Tank carries 40 rounds of main gun ammunition, all produced by MKE to ensure seamless integration and optimal ballistic performance. In addition to manufacturing the weapons themselves, MKE provides ongoing technical support, integration services, and sustainment solutions throughout the lifecycle of the systems.

Having delivered multiple main guns and secondary weapon systems to the prime contractor BMC, MKE has helped position the ALTAY Tank as a modern and competitive platform in the global arena. With its high-tech firepower solutions, MKE strengthens Türkiye’s defense autonomy while elevating ALTAY’s battlefield capability to internationally recognized standards.