ANKARA, Turkey — Private sector armored vehicles manufacturer Otokar, maker of Turkey's first new-generation main battle tank, the Altay, has revealed the urban operation version of the same tank, designed for asymmetrical warfare.
The Altay-AHT was showcased at the IDEF'17 defense and aerospace show in Istanbul on May 9-12.
"In response to hybrid and asymmetrical threats and conditions where unconventional forces and methods are employed spreading more widely, we designed Altay-AHT [to] meet future needs of Turkish Armed Forces, and [this new tank] will have high export potential," said Serdar Gorguc, Otokar's general manager.
The tank is equipped with a directional dozer blade that can be operated by the driver.
Photo Credit: Otokar
Otokar designed prototypes for the Altay, which previously passed field and acceptance tests. The Turkish government will decide this year whether it will sign a serial production contract with Otokar for the Altay or launch competition for the contract.
Otokar developed the Altay-AHT on the Altay's hull and turret platform in five months. The new version features a different armor system, mission equipment and a suspension with torsion bars.
The Altay-AHT also features explosive reactive armor and bar armor systems for better survivability against guided and unguided ballistic missile attacks. It has improved situational awareness with the addition of a telescopic elevated observation system.
The tank is fitted with a jammer to protect against remote control improvised explosive devices. Its gunshot detection system can identify the direction of sniper threats; its laser warning system can identify threats by laser-guided, anti-tank missiles; and its laser range finders can measure distance. The vehicle also can release a layer of smoke toward the direction of an identified threat using the Soft Kill (Smart Smoke Curtain) System.
The tank is also equipped with a directional dozer blade that can be operated by the driver and used for tasks such as preparing defense lines, clearing battlefield obstacles and filling tank trenches.
Burak Ege Bekdil was the Turkey correspondent for Defense News.
