BMC DEFENCE Introduces the New ALTAY to Defense Media!

BMC Board Member and CEO Murat YALÇINTAŞ, BMC DEFENCE General Manager Mehmet KARAASLAN, and BMC POWER General Manager Mustafa KAVAL met with the members of the press at the BMC DEFENSE Press & Media Meeting event held at the Radisson Blue Hotel and shared information about the leasing of the 1st Main Maintenance Factory Directorate (ABFM) to BMC DEFENCE for 25 years, the New ALTAY Main Battle Tank (MBT) Project, New Generation FIRTINA (FIRTINA-II) Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH) Project, ALTUĞ 8x8 Tactical Wheeled Armored Vehicle Project, Leopard 2A4 Main Battle Tank Modernization Project, and the New Generation Tracked Armored Vehicles Project, as well as the diesel engines and powerpacks that have been developed for these vehicles.

As part of the facility tour, we visited the Administrative Building, which houses the Design Offices, Engine/Transmission Workshops, and Powerpack Prototype/Serial Production Workshops, which were built by BMC DEFENCE and BMC Power, turret and hull final assembly lines of the New ALTAY MBT and New Generation FIRTINA Howitzers, and Türkiye's largest and one of the few modern Powerpack Test Centers in Europe, which was established by the Defense Industry Agency (SSB) with an investment of approximately US$30 million and inaugurated in early 2021.

Notes from the BMC DEFENCE Press & Media Meeting Event

In this part of our article, we will share with you the speeches of BMC Board Member and CEO Murat YALÇINTAŞ, BMC DEFENCE General Manager Mehmet KARAASLAN, and BMC POWER General Manager Mustafa KAVAL at the Radisson Blu Hotel as part of the Press & Media Meeting event, and the comprehensive presentation by KARAASLAN, as well as the notes we took during the Facility Tour.

•The 1st Main Maintenance Factory Directorate (ABFM) was established in 1973 on an area of 1,814,000m2, of which 137,000m2 is indoor space. The perimeter of the facility is 8.5 km.

•BMC DEFENCE will hand over the 1st Main Maintenance Factory Directorate (ABFM) facility, which it has been operating since August 21, 2019, to the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) at the end of its 25-year operational contract (including all equipment and machinery). In accordance with the Transfer Protocol, all activities at the facility are carried out under the permission and supervision of the TAF, and in this context, the activities are supervised by the TAF/MoND team of 120 people.

•As part of its investment commitment of US$50 million, BMC DEFENCE has invested approximately US$10 million in the last 3 years to upgrade and modernize the facility infrastructure.

•A total of 430 personnel, including 288 White Collar and 142 Blue Collar, work at BMC Tank & New Generation Vehicles (BMC TYNA), while a total of 764 personnel, 161 White Collar and 603 Blue Collar, work at BMC DEFENCE. As of March 2023, a total of 1,194 personnel (745 Blue Collar and 449 White Collar) work at the 1st ABFM, together with BMC Tank & Next Generation Vehicles, BMC DEFENCE, and ASFAT/MoND personnel.

•According to BMC DEFENCE data, the 1st ABFM's efficiency rate, which was 50% in 2020, reached 99% in 2022.

•Major armored vehicle projects currently carried out by BMC DEFENCE are the ALTAY MBT Serial Production Project, Leopard 2A4 MBT Modernization, Mine Clearing Vehicle Project, Armored Recovery Vehicle Project, New Generation FIRTINA Howitzer Project (140x), POYRAZ Ammunition Resupply Vehicle Project (35x), Next Generation Wheeled Armored Vehicles Project (mobility tests are ongoing), and the New Generation Tracked Armored Vehicles Project (BMC DEFENCE is working on a tracked armored vehicle specific to the project).

•The Leopard 2A4 MBT Modernization Project covering 81 tanks was signed, and the work started in Arifiye. The first tank to be modernized was delivered to BMC DEFENCE. It was shown to the press members alongside the New ALTAY prototype together with the New Generation FIRTINA Howitzer and the ALTUĞ 8x8. Under the project, the first modernization activities will be carried out on the prototype tank, and then the vehicle will be delivered to the Turkish Armed Forces for testing. If the TAF likes the prototype vehicle, it will confirm the suitability of the modernization, and then the Serial Modernization Phase will begin. Answering our question whether 40 Leopard 2A4 MBTs, previously modernized by ROKETSAN with the T1 Armor System, would be included in this project, BMC DEFENCE General Manager KARAASLAN said, "No, they are entirely separate projects. But of course, ROKETSAN is a solution partner for armor. Other leading defense industry companies, especially ASELSAN and ROKETSAN, are partners in this project with BMC." Regarding whether 40 Leopard 2A4 Tanks would be included in the new 81 tank project, KARAASLAN replied, "The Turkish Armed Forces will decide. It is not something I can make any assessment about."

•BMC DEFENCE General Manager KARAASLAN shared the following information about the ALTUĞ 8x8 Tactical Wheeled Armored Vehicle, "ALTUĞ is competing in the tender opened by the SSB; on the other hand, there are many export requests from abroad. Since these new vehicles that we will produce at our facility receive a share of the general expenses of the facility, the costs of the facility to the Turkish Armed Forces are also reduced. In this context, it is our principle to reduce the cost of the facility to the State with the projects that BMC has started with its own resources. Hopefully, if we win the tender, we will begin the production of ALTUĞ here in a short time. ALTUĞ passed several tests, including desert tests and rigorous ballistics, blast, and mobility tests. As BMC, we have high expectations for this vehicle."

•As part of the New Generation Tracked Armored Vehicles Project, BMC is developing a tracked armored vehicle with its own engineering resources. More than one type of turret is requested in the project. In this context, BMC DEFENCE announced that it can use both the turrets it develops and the ones to be selected by the TAF. There will also be 105mm turrets on the vehicles. BMC is in talks with a foreign company for the 105mm turret (the company name was not stated, but it is confirmed that it is not Cockerill 3105 used on TULPAR and KAPLAN MT Medium Tank). In response to a question on this subject, BMC DEFENCE General Manager KARAASLAN said, "We do not have our own 105mm turret, but we have planned collaborations." On the other hand, according to the information I have learned, the SSB recently asked Otokar, FNSS, and BMC whether the new vehicles in the project could be developed by a single team, as in the German PUMA Armored Vehicle Project developed and manufactured by the Rheinmetall-KMW Joint Venture project System & Management GmbH (PSM), and received positive answers from all three companies, including BMC. Regarding the subject, KARAASLAN said, "We are open to all kinds of cooperation. BMC happily agrees to be a part of any organization the SSB directs."

•The BMC DEFENCE Ankara Production Facility will be built on an area of 840,000m2, and the total indoor space will be 165,527m2. BMC Power will also receive 70,000m2 in the new facility, where 400,000m2 is planned for the BMC Tank & Next Generation Vehicles (TYNA). There is also a reserved area of 75,000m2. Next to the Ankara Production Facility, where the serial production of the new ALTAY MBTs will be made, a very comprehensive test track will be established on an area of approximately 300,000m2 which can be used not only for military vehicles but also for the tests of commercial vehicles.

•The 8x8 Truck Mounted T155 ARPAN Howitzer and the TULGA Armored Vehicle will be launched during the event, which is planned to be held in late May at BMC Automotive's production facilities in Pınarbaşı, İzmir.

•It is planned to complete the production/final assembly of 2 New ALTAY MBTs equipped with the Korean Powerpack, which are currently on the final assembly line, and complete the necessary tests until the delivery ceremony to the Turkish Armed Forces on April 23, 2023. These two tanks will then undergo a series of tests by the Turkish Armed Forces. These two new ALTAY MBTs are expected to enter the TAF service after completing the test process in 2024. The 120mm, 55-caliber (L55) smoothbore Main Gun System produced by MKE is used in the two new ALTAY MBTs.

•In 2025, Serial Production of New ALTAY MBTs will begin with the Korean Powerpack, and the tanks will enter TAF service. The production plan was prepared according to the construction plan of BMC DEFENCE Ankara facilities.

•At the end of the 2-year test period, the New ALTAY MBTs, equipped with the BATU Powerpack, will be delivered to the TAF starting from 2026, and the production of the New ALTAY MBT will continue with the domestic and national BATU Powerpack.

•In order to avoid serial production delays by making serious changes in the hull and turret design (otherwise, additional testing and qualification processes will be required), the engine compartment of the ALTAY MBT hull was not altered for the integration of the Korean Powerpack. Only the necessary changes were made to the connection points in the engine compartment. The Korean Powerpack has been adapted to fit into the existing engine compartment. It is the same with the BATU Powerpack.  The BATU Powerpack is also designed to fit into the same volume.

•There are 12 ammunition racks inside the hull on the right and left of the driver's compartment. Considering the experiences from the operations carried out by the TAF and in the Russia-Ukraine War, necessary precautions have been taken in the New ALTAY MBT to prevent ammunition cook-off in case of a possible hit to the tank turret or hull (isolated ammo compartment).

•The turret roof armor of the new ALTAY MBT was strengthened to provide better protection against modern ATGM threats with top-attack capability.

•While the engine and transmission of the Korean Powerpack are directly supplied from Korea, the cooling unit of the powerpack was developed by BMC DEFENCE and BMC Power engineers considering the climatic conditions of Türkiye.

•For the new ALTAY Tank, BMC carries out Cellular manufacturing at the 1st ABFM, while the Serial Production will be conducted in Ankara (cellular manufacturing aims to move as quickly as possible using multiple cells composed of different machines to accomplish certain tasks in an assembly line fashion). Typically, the production time of an ALTAY MBT is 9 months, but it can be reduced to 5 months depending on the learning curve. However, an ALTAY MBT can be produced within 3 months at full capacity (with sufficient personnel, infrastructure, and uninterrupted material flow). 

•Pointing out that the annual production capacity of the Ankara Facility is planned to be up to 100 tanks, BMC DEFENCE General Manager KARAASLAN noted that 25-30 of this capacity can be used for the export market if there is an order. Accordingly, the serial production speed of the New ALTAY MBT, which will start with 4-5 units per month, will increase depending on the learning curve and reach 8 tanks per month. BMC plans to produce and deliver 250 tanks in approximately 5 years (2025-2030).

•The reason for the delay of the ALTAY Program is that the powerpack, as well as some subsystems and components from Germany and some other Western countries, were not delivered to Türkiye. These countries refused to give these powerpacks and other components to Türkiye, using some of the operations that the TAF was carrying out at that time as an excuse. Therefore, the tank could not be manufactured. Consequently, the TAF asked the BMC to manufacture the powerpack, subsystems, and related components, which the foreign states did not give to Türkiye, to eliminate foreign dependency on a highly strategic combat vehicle such as MBT.

•The delay in the ALTAY Project also enabled the redesign of the ALTAY MBT, which was developed according to the requirements and expectations of the Turkish Land Forces during the threat environment of the 2000s. In this context, with the experience from the cross-border operations conducted by the Turkish Armed Forces and the new conditions that emerged during the Russia-Ukraine War, a number of additional capabilities were added to the ALTAY MBT, and several critical subsystems were upgraded and localized.

•The new ALTAY MBT has several improved and additional capabilities, such as the AKKOR Active Protection System, Improved Armor Package, Upgraded Fire Control System, Upgraded Vehicle Control System, the new Korean Powerpack, and ASELSAN ÖRÜMCEK 360° Close-Range Surveillance and Laser Warning System (ÖRÜMCEK replaced YAMGÖZ Close-Range Surveillance System) and the Tank Laser Warning System. It is fully integrated with onboard subsystems such as the AKKOR Active Protection System, Tank Fire Control System, and SARP Remote Controlled Weapon System, which can be controlled by both Tank Commander and Loader). In addition, subsystems such as Speed Reducer (German product), Ammunition Racks (German product), Turret Ring Gear (German product), Rotor (Korean product), Gunner Auxiliary Sight (German product), Coaxial Machine Gun (Belgian product), Fuel and Hydraulic Pumps (German product, Bilge Pump, Fuel Pump, Preheat Pump), Periscopes (German product), Hydraulic Coupling and Shaft (German product), Tow Hook (German product), Tracks (Korean tracks will be replaced with domestic tracks starting from T2 tanks), Barrel Shroud/Thermal Sleeve (German product) and Multi-spectral Camouflage Net (a new generation camouflage net, similar to the SAAB Barracuda Mobile Camouflage System/MCS, which significantly reduces the visual, thermal and radar signature of the tank) are replaced with locally developed counterparts. Therefore, the New ALTAY has superior capabilities compared to the ALTAY MBT.

•The total weight of the kilometer-long cabling on the new ALTAY MBT is over 500kg.

•By replacing the South Korean product hydro-pneumatic ISU Suspension System used in the New ALTAY MBT with a domestic product in the Serial Production Phase, the local content rate will be further increased (which is still at 85%).

•Since the production, testing, and qualification of the components, powerpack and related subsystems in our country is expected to take 6-7 years; it was decided to procure a powerpack from another source (Korea) and put some tanks into service with this powerpack during this period.

•More than 10,000 man-hours were spent on the production of the new ALTAY MBT prototype. A two-minute video was shown to the press members during the event.

•According to BMC DEFENCE, the delay in the powerpack procurement process also created an opportunity to apply the latest technologies to the program and product. Therefore, the tank no longer has any outdated electronic equipment.

•The New ALTAY Main Battle Tank (MBT), which completed all tests, including EMI/EMC tests, has both active and passive protection. Passive protection consists of composite armor modules integrated into the hull armor plate. In addition, there is slat armor at the rear of the vehicle. The tank has both a Soft Kill (as soon as the Laser Warning Receiver detects the threat, the system automatically turns the turret toward the threat and fires the multi-spectral smoke grenades) and a Hard Kill countermeasure system. The multi-spectral smoke grenade launchers (16) are integrated with the Laser Warning Receiver and can prevent hostile laser designation. The AKKOR Active Protection System (Hard Kill) protects with 360-degree coverage. It can detect threats with four radars located at the corners of the turret and eliminate the threat 15-20m away from the tank by firing the interceptor rounds from the launchers on the turret (each has a capacity of 2 munitions). The tank is equipped with front and rear day/night vision cameras with 360° visibility to increase the crew's situational awareness. The new ALTAY Tank has 3 separate fuel tanks, one in the powerpack compartment and the other two in the sponsons (above the tracks), and can travel 450km under normal conditions with internal fuel. The 1,500 hp powerpack is a U-Drive configuration (the engine and transmission are placed side by side), so it has a very compact footprint. 

•Performance and firing tests were conducted in different climatic conditions under the supervision of TAF and SSB officials in Arifiye and Şereflikoçhisar, between April and December 2022, with the new production New ALTAY MBT prototype, which was equipped with localized subsystems and components as well as the Korean Powerpack. A short video of the production and performance tests (mobility and firing) of the New ALTAY MBT prototype equipped with the Korean Powerpack was shown to the press members during the BMC DEFENCE Press & Media Meeting event.

•The new ALTAY MBT prototype successfully completed the previously mentioned tests, and the tank was accepted by the TAF. However, the testing process continues. With the 2 New ALTAY MBTs to be delivered in April, survivability, durability, and firing tests will be carried out for 1.5 - 2 years. In response to our question about whether the 10,000km durability/mobility test was conducted in 2022 with the Korean Powerpack, BMC stated that they cannot share information about the test duration but noted that the testing process is still ongoing. All necessary permits were obtained for the procurement of the Korean Powerpack, and all commercial and legal agreements were signed between the governments. Therefore, there is no obstacle in front of BMC DEFENCE for the Serial Production of the New ALTAY MBT.

•The new ALTAY MBT can also be exported with the Korean Powerpack. According to BMC officials, there are requests in this direction from friendly and allied countries.

•In ALTAY and similar MBTs, the powerpack's share in the total cost of the tank is around 10%.

•As of March 2023, 2,500 hours of operational tests were carried out with the UTKU Powerpack to be used in New Generation FIRTINA Howitzers and New Generation Tracked Armored Vehicles. BMC POWER has produced 10 UTKU Diesel Engines (weighing 1,870kg), a complete UTKU Powerpack, and 2 mock-up engines to date.

•As of March 2023, 610 hours of operational tests have been carried out with the BATU Diesel Engine to be used in the new ALTAY MBTs. So far, BMC Power has assembled 5 BATU Diesel Engines and also produced one intermediate prototype engine, which is used only in the first run test and cannot be tested when loaded, and one mock-up engine for fairs.

•One BATU Powerpack will be readied in April and will be run unloaded in the test center for the first time. Afterward, integration activities will be started on the tank, and operational tests will be carried out in phases.

•The dry weight of the BATU Diesel Engine is 2,240kg. According to open sources, the dry weight of the South Korean DV27K Diesel Engine is 2,578kg, and the dry weight of the German MT883 Ka-501CR Diesel Engine is 1,800kg.

•BMC Power also aims to develop engines for maritime vehicles. In this context, the company, which made negotiations with both military (Gölcük and Istanbul Naval Shipyards) and private sector shipyards (SEFİNE, YONCA-ONUK, ARES, and DEARSAN), also met with İŞBİR, which provides generator sets for vessels and signed a cooperation protocol. İŞBİR delivers auxiliary power units and generator sets for naval vessels such as MİLGEM Corvettes, which used foreign diesel engines in generator sets. According to the cooperation protocol, BMC Power will assemble a marine diesel engine to be delivered to İŞBİR. BMC Power also modifies AZRA Diesel Engine for Unmanned Surface Vehicles. For this purpose, the cooling system of the engine is changed. The engine will be used to power both water jets and propellers.

•BMC DEFENCE uses armor steel from Miilux OY in its armored vehicles. Regarding the issue, KARAASLAN said, "BMC and other armored vehicle manufacturers follow a similar approach. Of course, we do not want to buy steel from abroad, subject to many restrictions, while indigenous armor steel alternatives exist in our country. We all prefer to work with Miilux OY at the moment. We have projects that we run together. Most of the vehicles in İzmir have already been qualified, and we continue to work for ALTUĞ and ALTAY. When we complete their qualification process, no one will want to buy armor steel from abroad, while Türkiye has an existing infrastructure." I learned that BMC also buys armor steel from Finland for the ALTAY MBT, as the steel used in the tank needs to be a certain thickness. When we asked them about the news that Finland had approved the export license for the delivery of 12,000 tons of armor steel to BMC last January, BMC DEFENCE officials stated that this is not a new order but a previous one and that the armor steel to be supplied will be used in both the New ALTAY MBT and ALTUĞ 8x8 Programs. Underlining that they will use domestic armor steel as much as possible in their own products, BMC DEFENCE pointed out that although Miilux OY has begun pilot production and testing of armor steels with a certain thickness, it has not reached the serial production and delivery stage, so BMC DEFENCE meets its need from Finland. Regarding the armor steel orders from Finland, KARAASLAN said, "So this is not a new order but a previous one. The armor steel from Finland is used in all the projects of BMC. The important thing here is the qualification; as long as they have the same characteristics, we don't differentiate between foreign or domestic armor steel. As I said, when the locally produced armor steel is qualified, of course, everyone will want to use it to meet the needs of the TAF." 

•Noting that 140 New Generation FIRTINA Howitzers will be delivered to the Turkish Land Forces under the contract, BMC DEFENCE General Manager KARAASLAN emphasized that with the feedback from the field, many new capabilities such as Auxiliary Power unit, Air Conditioning, SARP RCWS, Automatic Ammunition Loading System, Upgraded Fire Control System, and Improved Fire Extinguishing System were added to FIRTINA Howitzers. He said, "As such, the second batch of vehicles has started to enter TAF service and will continue to do so."

•Starting in 2025, the 1,000hp UTKU Powerpack from BMC Power will be used in New Generation FIRTINA Howitzers (FIRTINA-II). Under the project, a total of 6 New Generation FIRTINA Howitzers have been delivered so far, and the total number of FIRTINA-II Howitzers will increase to 10 with the delivery of an additional 4 howitzers that are still in production this year. These 10 FIRTINA-II Howitzers are produced with the same powerpacks used in the T-155 FIRTINA Self-Propelled Howitzers. The powerpack of T-155 FIRTINA S/P Howitzers consist of 985hp (735kW) MTU MB-881 KA-500 Diesel Engine and Allison X1100-5A3 Automatic Transmission. The powerpacks of the T-155 FIRTINA S/P Howitzer (281 were delivered) had directly come from South Korea back then. The powerpacks of the first 10 FIRTINA-II Howitzers were obtained from the reserve powerpacks of the T-155 FIRTINA Howitzers in the Turkish Land Forces inventory. However, until the start of deliveries with the 1,005hp (750kW) UTKU Powerpack (T-Drive configuration) in 2025, additional power packs will be procured from another undisclosed country, and the New Generation FIRTINA Howitzers will be put into service with this powerpack. BMC DEFENCE General Manager Mehmet KARAASLAN underlined that all tests of this undisclosed powerpack have already been completed (he defined it as an 'interim solution'). Answering our question about the 1,200 hp powerpacks (Continental AVDS-1790-9A V12 Diesel Engine coupled with the Allison X1100™-5A4 Automatic Transmission) that were ordered from the company RENK America, for the New Generation FIRTINA Howitzers but weren't delivered due to the embargo, KARARSALAN emphasized that they no longer have any expectations from Germany. KARAASLAN also pointed out that the FIRTINA-II Howitzers are manufactured on the improved line, which was renewed by BMC engineers in terms of equipment, machinery, and infrastructure.

•BMC DEFENCE General Manager KARAASLAN shared the following information upon our question about whether it is possible to replace the interim solution powerpacks on the ALTAY MBT and FIRTINA-II with indigenous BATU and UTKU Powerpacks in the future and whether a hybrid powerpack consisting of a domestic engine and foreign transmission could be used on the New ALTAY Tank. "Of course, it is possible. New powerpack integration will require certain changes on the vehicles, which can be considered a separate project. In other words, it can also be considered a retrofit project. As there is no plan for retrofit at the moment, we are trying to arrange both spare parts and infrastructure as if these powerpacks could be maintained throughout their service lives. There are certain requirements, and there are still issues to be discussed. Their evaluation continues. But the answer to your question is, of course, it's technically possible. The main plan is to switch directly to BATU after the interim powerpack alternatives. If there is a need for a hybrid solution (domestic engine and foreign transmission), we have the capabilities and infrastructure to adapt and implement all kinds of changes with our design team."

•KARAASLAN shared the following information while answering whether there is an artificial intelligence study for the New ALTAY, considering the new generation MBT competitors such as Panther KF51 and AbramsX in the market. "What you said is true; everyone is working on new concepts. In fact, with the increased effectiveness of aerial threats in the recent period, many issues, such as whether tanks are really needed or not, are being discussed. But of course, those who know the essence of the subject and the place of tanks in the TAF focus on improving the tank instead of questioning their need. This is also how it is in the rest of the world. The United States is developing the AbramsX, as you mentioned. The British are upgrading Challenger 2s to Challenger 3. KMW works with the French to develop the Enhanced Main Battle Tank (EMBT). As you mentioned, Rheinmetall is making the KF51. Now, when we look at these tanks, we see that they generally focus on lighter but stronger armor, unmanned turret systems, and improved countermeasures against aerial threats, such as small drones. We follow them very closely. You see, some versions are armed with up to 30mm guns with smart ammunition against drones; such a thing would never have been considered before. Let me tell you something to give an idea about the tank project. This (ALTAY) project covers the production of 250 tanks; you already know the T1 and T2 configurations. There is also the T3 configuration, which will have an unmanned turret. As I have said before, we follow all these developments in the world very closely. We are also making preparations in this direction, but let's deliver T1 first; the rest will definitely follow"