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Mechanical and Chemical Industries Corporation (MKE), affiliated with the Turkish Ministry of National Defense (MSB), produces the 120 mm 55-caliber main Altay tank weapon system, the company announced.
The Altay tank weapon system, developed to meet all the needs of the modern battlefield, measures 7 meters 118 centimeters in length and weighs 3 tons, according to information from MKE. The system is manufactured from special alloy steel.
The main gun has an effective range of 3,000 meters and can fire six rounds per minute. It is also capable of using NATO-standard ammunition.
MKE engineers also developed the auxiliary weapon system, the "PMT 76/57T" machine gun. The "57T" designation was added in honor of the 57th Regiment, which fought at Canakkale. The auxiliary weapon weighs approximately 12 kilograms and can fire 950 rounds per minute.
MKE also provides the 120 mm tank ammunition for the Altay, which has a 40-round capacity. The company has delivered various quantities of the main and auxiliary weapon systems to the project's main contractor, BMC.
MKE is also managing the technical support processes for the high-technology systems.
The Turkish main battle tank project was initiated in 1996 to meet the needs of the Turkish Land Forces. In 2018, BMC won the tender for Phase II, or serial production.
In 2023, the "Altay tank," featuring renewed and localized systems including the power pack, was delivered to the Turkish Armed Forces for serial production tests.
The Altay tank is operated by a four-person crew, including a commander, gunner, loader, and driver. It is powered by a 1500 HP 12-cylinder electronically controlled diesel engine, allowing a maximum speed of 65 kilometers/hour and an off-road speed of 45 kilometers/hour.
The tank features an electronically controlled suspension and can climb 60% gradients. It can operate in temperatures ranging from minus 32 degrees Celsius (89.6 degrees Fahrenheit) to 52 degrees Celsius and is capable of underwater transit in 4 meters of water with preparation.
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