Rivalry Emerges for Production of Turkish Tank

ANKARA, Turkey — A powerful Turkish armored vehicle manufacturer with close ties to the Ankara government has announced that it would join a future competition for the serial production of the Altay, the new generation main battle tank a rival company has developed. 
 
Ethem Sancak, chairman of BMC, told reporters that his company would be a contender for the serial production contract, which industry experts and officials expect to be about 1,000 tanks, with an initial batch of 250.
 
Sancak said that BMC would bid with partners, which he declined to name. But he hinted that his partners may include foreign manufacturers that "would not object to export licenses and local production."
 
Earlier this year, a privately owned Turkish engine maker, TUMOSAN, signed a €190 million (US $206.35 million) contract with the government to design an engine for the Altay.  
 
The Altay program has faced hurdles and delays as its engine is its the most problematic development feature concerned its engine. Turkey's months-long negotiations with Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for joint development and production of an engine for the Altay failed last year.
 
The Altay was developed by Otokar, a rival of BMC. The Turkish government commissioned Otokar to build four Altay prototypes under a $500 million program. 
 
After the prototype production stage has been finalized, the Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (SSM) will formally invite bids for the serial production contract.
 
Email: bbekdil@defensenews.com