Turkey To Relaunch Altay Tank Tender Process

Turkey’s defense industry Friday has decided to relaunch the tender process for the Modern Tank Production project, known as the Altay project, after it declined Otokar's proposal.

A statement posted by Otokar on the Public Disclosure Platform (KAP) noted that the Undersecretariat of Defense Industries (SSM) informed Otokar that the administrative, financial and technical aspects of the company's proposal were evaluated but an agreement on the terms of the contract, particularly regarding financial aspects, could not be reached, Daily Sabah reported Sunday.

Otokar said it will decide on the tender process after closely monitoring the statements issued by the SSM.

FNSS, a joint venture owned by Turkish Nurol Holding and UK-based BAE Systems, has also expressed its interests in the Altay project.

A prominent player in the Turkish defense industry with its armored and tactical wheeled vehicles, the BMC is also among Turkish defense firms that indicated plans to participate in the Altay project. Chairman of BMC Ethem Sancak previously noted that his company was ready to submit proposals for the tender as a determined suitor for the project.

Previously, in the 2017-2021 Strategic Plan published by the SSM, the primary date for the first Altay Main Battle Tank entering service was set for 2020. According to the plan, the first 15 tanks will be put into service in 2020, while 20 tanks will be delivered in 2021.

Altay is a third-generation version of the main battle tank and Turkey's first indigenous tank development program.