Türkiye has reached a critical milestone in one of its most ambitious defense industry projects — the Altay main battle tank. BMC CEO Murat Yalçıntaş announced during a press conference at the Tank Pallet Factory in Arifiye, Sakarya, that the first next-generation Altay tank will officially be delivered to the Turkish Armed Forces on April 23, 2023. This development not only strengthens Türkiye’s land forces but also highlights the country’s commitment to defense industry localization and self-reliance.

Yalçıntaş emphasized that the Tank Pallet Factory belongs entirely to the Turkish Armed Forces, while BMC has invested $50 million to modernize the facility. He also underlined that all intellectual property rights of the Altay tank belong to the Republic of Türkiye, ensuring no restrictions on exports. Delays in the project were mainly due to the localization of critical components such as the engine and power group, which Türkiye decided to develop independently after initially collaborating with a Western partner.

According to the timeline, tanks equipped with a Korean power group will be delivered to the TSK in 2025, while mass production of Altay tanks with a fully indigenous power group is scheduled to begin in 2026. This transition marks a turning point, as Türkiye aims to eliminate foreign dependency in its main battle tank production.

Beyond meeting the needs of the Turkish military, the Altay project also carries significant export potential. Yalçıntaş noted that Türkiye has the capacity to export 25–30 tanks annually, which could position the country as a competitive player in the global defense market. Developed with contributions from both public institutions and private companies, the Altay tank project is set to bolster Türkiye’s defense capabilities and establish it as a rising leader in armored vehicle production.