Justin Joseph
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Indigenous Tank Top Priority for Turkish Army
ANKARA - While Turkey adds several types of light, wheeled vehicles to its land arsenal, its biggest priority remains development of its first indigenous modern tank.
"The tank program is our pet project," said one senior procurement official familiar with armored vehicle programs. "We are aiming to make progress with the national tank program in tandem with several other vehicle projects. Eventually, we are hoping to attain a deterrent firepower with the coordination of both light and heavy vehicles."
The Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM) signed in 2008 a $500 million contract with Turkish armored vehicles maker Otokar for the design, development and production of four prototypes of a main battle tank dubbed the Altay.
Subcontractors include the military electronics powerhouse Aselsan, which will produce the tank's fire control system and other electronic systems; Roketsan, which will develop and produce a modular armor; and the ammunition maker MKEK, which will develop a 120mm barrel. The engine would be the only foreign component.
MKEK and other Turkish companies involved in the deal will work with South Korea's Hyundai Rotem for technology transfer and know-how.
The prototypes will be developed by 2015 and if the performance tests are successful, the Army is expected to order at least 250 Altay tanks. The program eventually will be worth billions of dollars.
Ankara's light vehicle efforts comprise three large-scale programs. The first involves production of more than 2,700 tactical wheeled vehicles worth more than $1 billion. Otokar and another local manufacturer, BMC, last year were awarded contracts for the production of nearly 470 mine-resistant tactical wheeled vehicles.
The second program involves the purchase of nearly 370 armored wheeled vehicles that will be used for "task-specific" missions, especially anti-terror operations. Local manufacturers FNSS, Hema and Otokar are vying to win this contract worth several hundred million dollars.
The third major vehicle program calls for the production of more than 300 weapon carriers worth more than $200 million. Contenders are local producers, including Otokar, Hema, BMC, FNSS and Nurol. Some 30 of these platforms are expected to be tracked.
The Defense Industry Executive committee, the ultimate decision-maker in procurement, is expected to choose the winners in the second and third vehicle programs in upcoming weeks.
"The armored vehicle sector is one of the most robust in our defense industry. We are self-reliant," said Kaya Yazgan, secretary-general of the Association for Turkish Defense Industry Manufacturers, an umbrella group for local industry.
Indigenous Tank Top Priority for Turkish Army - Defense News
ANKARA - While Turkey adds several types of light, wheeled vehicles to its land arsenal, its biggest priority remains development of its first indigenous modern tank.
"The tank program is our pet project," said one senior procurement official familiar with armored vehicle programs. "We are aiming to make progress with the national tank program in tandem with several other vehicle projects. Eventually, we are hoping to attain a deterrent firepower with the coordination of both light and heavy vehicles."
The Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM) signed in 2008 a $500 million contract with Turkish armored vehicles maker Otokar for the design, development and production of four prototypes of a main battle tank dubbed the Altay.
Subcontractors include the military electronics powerhouse Aselsan, which will produce the tank's fire control system and other electronic systems; Roketsan, which will develop and produce a modular armor; and the ammunition maker MKEK, which will develop a 120mm barrel. The engine would be the only foreign component.
MKEK and other Turkish companies involved in the deal will work with South Korea's Hyundai Rotem for technology transfer and know-how.
The prototypes will be developed by 2015 and if the performance tests are successful, the Army is expected to order at least 250 Altay tanks. The program eventually will be worth billions of dollars.
Ankara's light vehicle efforts comprise three large-scale programs. The first involves production of more than 2,700 tactical wheeled vehicles worth more than $1 billion. Otokar and another local manufacturer, BMC, last year were awarded contracts for the production of nearly 470 mine-resistant tactical wheeled vehicles.
The second program involves the purchase of nearly 370 armored wheeled vehicles that will be used for "task-specific" missions, especially anti-terror operations. Local manufacturers FNSS, Hema and Otokar are vying to win this contract worth several hundred million dollars.
The third major vehicle program calls for the production of more than 300 weapon carriers worth more than $200 million. Contenders are local producers, including Otokar, Hema, BMC, FNSS and Nurol. Some 30 of these platforms are expected to be tracked.
The Defense Industry Executive committee, the ultimate decision-maker in procurement, is expected to choose the winners in the second and third vehicle programs in upcoming weeks.
"The armored vehicle sector is one of the most robust in our defense industry. We are self-reliant," said Kaya Yazgan, secretary-general of the Association for Turkish Defense Industry Manufacturers, an umbrella group for local industry.
Indigenous Tank Top Priority for Turkish Army - Defense News
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