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Turkey, bridging two continents with a foot in both Europe and Asia, boasts a rich tapestry of history, blending ancient civilizations with a vibrant contemporary culture. Known for its diverse landscapes, from bustling bazaars and historic ruins to stunning coastlines, Turkey stands at the crossroads of tradition and modernity. Turkey boasts a formidable collection of Main Battle Tanks (MBTs), each possessing distinct capabilities and advantages. Ranging from the indigenous Altay to the enhanced M60T Sabra and the esteemed Leopard 2A4, these tanks serve as crucial guardians of Turkey’s national defence. This article delves into the specifications and attributes of these premier tanks, offering a glimpse into their technological progress and combat expertise.
Turkey’s Top 5 Tanks
The Altay, named after Army General Fahrettin Altay, is Turkey’s first domestically produced main battle tank (MBT). Developed by BMC, a Turkish company, it is based on the South Korean K2 Black Panther. The project was initiated in 2005 and the prototype was completed in 2015. The tank is expected to be operational by 2025. The first mass production of Altay will feature a 55 calibre 120 mm main gun made by MKE, an advanced armour package made by Roketsan, an active protection system made by Aselsan, and an HD Hyundai Infracore engine and SNT Dynamics transmission. The tank has a conventional layout with a power pack located at the rear, driver seating at the front, and a fighting compartment in the middle. It has a crew of four, consisting of the driver, gunner, loader, and commander. The tank is equipped with a 120 mm smoothbore tank gun, a remote-controlled weapon station with a 12.7 mm / 7.62 mm machine gun, and a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun. It has an operational range of 450 kilometres and can reach a maximum speed of 65 km/h on roads and 45 km/h off-road.
The M60T Sabra, a highly upgraded variant of the M60 Patton tank, was developed by Israel Military Industries (IMI). Originally, it was an advancement of the Magach 7C model. The appliqué armour’s ballistic profile was improved, and it integrated the MG253 120 mm gun, which was developed by IMI. Initially, this upgrade package was proposed to Turkey for its tank modernization program, and the Turkish government opted for the Sabra Mk II. In Turkish service, it is known as the M60T. The first Sabra Mk II was delivered for testing in 2005 and successfully met all qualifications by May 2006. Subsequently, the Turkish Army’s 2nd Main Maintenance Center Command upgraded a total of 170 M60 tanks between 2007 and April 2009 using upgrade kits provided by IMI. The Sabra II boasts an all-electric gun control system and a Knight computerized fire control system, developed by El-Op Industries Ltd and Elbit Systems. This advanced system actively manages the turret’s movement and ensures precise line-of-sight stabilization in both elevation and azimuth, resulting in a high probability of hitting the target on the first attempt. The tank is equipped with an extensive infrared (IR) suite for night operations, and both the commander and gunner have complete control over the gun’s operation. The gunner’s station features a stabilized periscopic day sight with 8x magnification and an IR night sight with 5.3x magnification, both providing excellent visibility in two axes.
The Leopard 2A4, manufactured by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, is a renowned German main battle tank. It stands as the most distinguished variant within the Leopard 2 family, boasting numerous enhancements and modifications compared to its predecessors. With an impressive production count of 15,000 units, the Leopard 2A4 has become one of the world’s most successful main battle tanks. It is currently utilized by 22 countries, including Turkey. Developed by Krauss-Maffei in the 1970s, the Leopard 2A4 represents a third-generation German main battle tank. It officially entered service in 1979, replacing the previous Leopard 1 as the primary armoured vehicle for the West German army. Equipped with a Rheinmetall-made smoothbore 120 mm cannon, the Leopard 2A4 features a digital fire control system, laser rangefinder, and advanced night vision and sighting equipment. Its power is derived from a V12 twin-turbo diesel engine, manufactured by MTU Friedrichshafen. Notably, the 2A4 models introduced significant improvements, such as an automated fire and explosion suppression system, an all-digital fire control system capable of handling new ammunition types, and an enhanced turret with flat titanium/tungsten armour.
The M60A3 is an upgraded variant of the M60A1 main battle tank. It boasts improved turret armour, all of the RISE upgrades, enhanced gun stabilization, an upgraded fire control system, and a new selection of 105mm ammunition. In 2015, Elbit Systems spearheaded the modernization of the M60A3 main battle tank. This upgrade surpasses the capabilities of the M60A1, offering superior features such as enhanced turret armour, all of the RISE upgrades, improved gun stabilization, an upgraded fire control system, and a new selection of 105mm ammunition. When equipped with the AN/VSG2 Tank Thermal Sight (TTS) for the gunner, the tank is referred to as the M60A3 TTS. The M60A3 main battle tank served as the primary assault weapon for tank battalions in various combat operations, ranging from low-intensity conflicts to both nuclear and non-nuclear scenarios, as part of an offensive combined arms team. It replaced the M48 series of tanks and the M60A1 tank. Although General Dynamics Land Systems Division, the manufacturer, has halted production of the tank, they continue to provide fleet management support to the US Army Tank-Automotive Command and to countries worldwide that utilize the M60A3. The US Army phased out the M60 as part of its modernization efforts.
The ACV-15 is an amphibious Infantry fighting vehicle developed by FNSS Savunma Sistemleri A.Ş, a Turkish defence company. It is also manufactured by DefTech, a subsidiary of DRB-HICOM Defence Technologies. The ACV-15 combines the capabilities of an infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) and an armoured personnel carrier (APC). It is based on the American Advanced Infantry Fighting Vehicle, which is derived from the American M113A1 armoured personnel carrier. The ACV-15 can be equipped with various turret options to meet customer requirements. It has firing ports for infantry combat and is a versatile platform in the 13 15 tons class. It is powered by a diesel engine and equipped with tracks. The ACV-15 is lightweight, low-profile, and excels in high-speed operations in desert conditions and poor infrastructure. It has top hatches, a rear hydraulic ramp, and a large cargo hatch cover. The power plant is located in the front right section, and there are armoured fuel tanks at the rear. The hull is constructed using ballistic aluminium plates with varying thicknesses. It has a watertight construction with seals on all hatches, doors, and openings. The power plant, drivers, and command compartment are also included.