Turkey: Its defense industry ‘hostage’ to international sanctions

Turkey’s plan to develop its first domestic battle tank, the Altay, describes in the most informative way how the country’s defense industry remains “hostage” to international sanctions imposed on key technologies, Ahval reports.

As the Altay project is delayed due to these factors, South Korea has given Turkey a helping hand, providing technology for chariot engines that is absolutely necessary for Altay to enter the production line.

Should Seoul eventually help Ankara develop the machines, then Turkey could implement its ambitious plan to build 1,000 tanks, both for the domestic armed forces and for export. In fact, Qatar, which is one of Turkey’s closest allies, has already ordered 100 Altay. Potential buyers could be Azerbaijan, Oman, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

It is estimated that the Turkish Armed Forces have about 2,500 to 3,000 American and German tanks.

Despite the fact that Turkey has modernized a part of its fleet of tanks, they still contain a large number of obsolete American M48 and M60. But even its German Leopard 1s and 2s have begun to “age.” and newer Leopard 2A4 (estimated at 8 to 10 tanks).

Turkey has been announcing the creation of a domestic tank since the 1990s. The first attempt was made through Otokar, which had been funded by the Turkish state with $ 500 million to create four prototypes. The name Altay was given in honor of Fahrettin Altay, the leader of the 5th Cavalry Corps that fought behind the Greek lines during the Asia Minor campaign.

The parts that make up the Altay come from a variety of sources. The technology of its cannon, engine and transmission system is German, while the design of its turret is from South Korea. But in the last decade, due to the increasingly authoritarian behavior of Turkish President Erdogan, Germany has stopped supplying technology, as well as the fact that German-made Turkish tanks have been used in operations outside Turkey.

In November 2018, Ankara signed a high contract worth $ 3.5 billion to the Turkish-Qatari BMC for the construction of Altay, removing Otokar.

At an estimated cost of $ 13.75 million per unit, the Altay is likely to be the most expensive battle tank on the planet. Its design has been revised to include new armor and active defense systems, drawing lessons from tank losses in recent clashes in Syria.

If South Korea finally provides the crucial engine for the production of the chariot, then Turkey will be able to completely upgrade its fleet of chariots with Altay, withdrawing the old and obsolete ones. If that happens, then Ankara hopes that at some point in the future it will be able to proceed with the construction of an unmanned tank.

According to DefenseNews, Turkey and South Korea recently signed a Letter of Intent, according to which two South Korean companies will supply the machines and transmission systems.

But Seoul’s side immediately began to express concern about American reactions. According to a South Korean official, “there are fears that the US government could put pressure on it not to export engine technology to Turkey.”

The statement came in the wake of a letter from 41 US lawmakers to US Secretary of State A. Blinken, who called for a rejection of Turkey’s request to buy new F-16 aircraft.