Otokar submitted it best and final offer (BAFO) regarding the serial production of the Altay Main Battle Tank Project to the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM) on February 8th within the scope of the Modern Tank Production Project by using National Sources.

In 2008, Otokar was awarded as the prime contractor for the development, design, prototype and qualification processes of Altay Main Battle Tank. The qualification and acceptance tests of the prototypes produced in the first phase were successfully completed, and prototypes approved in February 2017. While the inspection and approval process of the Technical Data Package (TDP) by the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries is ongoing, The Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM) released the Call to Bid Document for Altay’s ‘Serial Production’ and ‘Integrated Logistics Support’ services in July. Otokar submitted its first proposal for this tender on November 16th, 2017.

Otokar General Manager Mr. Serdar Görgüç commented on the serial production of Altay: “With 55 years of experience and capabilities, Otokar is one of the leading armored vehicles manufacturers of the region. Our vehicles are used in over 30 countries by more than 50 different users. We have successfully completed all the tasks we have undertaken. In “Altay Main Battle Tank Design and  Qualification Project” Otokar, as the prime contractor, successfully designed and developed Altay and carried out the project management of this complex project. With the investments we made in this process, the experience we gained, and enhanced R&D capabilities, Otokar captured a strategic momentum in its position in the defense industry. As Turkey’s leading land defense systems company, Otokar has no foreign shares, it is purely a national company and we are a publicly listed company, providing full transparency throughout all our operations. With all the competencies and qualifications required for the serial producing Altay, we are ready for the task. Our wish is for the main battle tank Altay to start serving the Turkish Armed Forces as early as possible.”

Mr. Görgüç continued; “We prepared a cost effective, sound and viable proposal with minimum risk and submitted as our BAFO (best and final offer) to Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM). The Otokar proposal was created within the scope of timely response to the urgent needs of the Turkish Armed Forces. Meanwhile, we worked on all the infrastructure requirements and planned the production lines to be prepared for launching production as early as possible with the signing of the agreement for Altay’s serial production and obtained the necessary Manufacturing Permit from the Ministry of Defense. In addition to planning the production required by the Land Forces, Otokar also made annual capacity plans for export potential as well as the possible needs for main battle tank derivatives including mine clearing, recovery and engineering vehicles.