President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attended the ceremony at the Ministry of National Defense’s BMC facilities in Arifiye, where the new Altay tank was delivered to the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) for testing. In his speech, Erdoğan emphasized that the Altay represents one of the most significant milestones in Türkiye’s recent defense industry advancements. He underlined that the new-generation Altay has been developed far beyond the prototype unveiled a decade ago, now featuring much more advanced, modern, and superior capabilities. Compared with vehicles tested in conflict zones, the Altay stands out as safer, more resilient, and more reliable.

Erdoğan also pointed out that the Altay project faced numerous obstacles, including attempts to block its progress through embargoes and restrictions. Despite these challenges, Türkiye managed to overcome hurdles thanks to the determination of its engineers and defense industry companies. A critical achievement was the development of indigenous subsystems to replace components that could not be procured due to export license restrictions, strengthening the tank’s national character.

Praising the dedication of the engineers who worked tirelessly to overcome these barriers, Erdoğan described the Altay tank as a symbol of Türkiye’s commitment to independence and innovation in defense. He further noted that the project not only enhances the operational capabilities of the Turkish Armed Forces but also opens new opportunities for defense exports, increasing Türkiye’s influence in global defense markets.

With its strong armor protection, powerful firepower, and integration of domestic technologies such as advanced fire control and active protection systems, the new Altay tank is set to provide a significant boost to Türkiye’s ground forces. Once serial production begins, it will further solidify Türkiye’s position in the global defense industry while strengthening its strategic autonomy.