Türkiye’s defense industry is preparing a comprehensive, fully indigenous training infrastructure to support the upcoming delivery of the ALTAY Main Battle Tank, scheduled to begin on October 28. HAVELSAN has developed modern training systems designed to help both operators and maintenance personnel understand the tank in detail, practice fault-handling procedures, and prepare for emergency scenarios. With open-frame mockups, simulators, and multimedia-supported systems, multiple trainees can receive instruction simultaneously, significantly improving both efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

HAVELSAN General Manager Mehmet Akif Nacar stated that the newly developed virtual-reality solutions will make subsystem familiarization training faster and more effective. He highlighted that fault-simulation capabilities allow technicians to practice all possible malfunction scenarios. According to Nacar, the use of simulators eliminates the operational costs associated with real-tank training—such as fuel, spare parts, and manpower—enabling larger groups of personnel to train concurrently at minimal cost.

Project Manager Alkan Dalkılıç explained that the project includes 44 different types of systems, totaling 94 training platforms. These range from skeletal tank mockups and external lighting mockups to live-turret training systems and maintenance stations, ensuring that trainees can thoroughly learn the tank’s systems. Multimedia cameras and large displays enable personnel not physically inside the mockup to follow the training in real time, increasing the number of participants per session.

The ALTAY Training Systems will be deployed to classrooms established by the main contractor BMC at the Tank School in Mamak and the Maintenance School in Balıkesir. Virtualization technologies will support training in areas that are difficult to physically access—such as embedded electrical systems with dense cabling—making instruction more efficient. Dalkılıç also confirmed that the systems are being prepared for both the current Korean powerpack and the upcoming indigenous BATU Power Group, ensuring seamless transition between configurations. Through VR modules, trainees will be able to observe the interior and exterior of the tank from the perspective of the driver, commander, gunner, and loader.

Deliveries are planned to begin by the end of the year, with all 94 training systems set to be handed over to security forces in 10 batches within three years. This comprehensive training ecosystem is expected to fully prepare ALTAY tank crews for future battlefield requirements.