Defense analyst Caleb Larson stated in an article published in The National Interest that it is possible that two South Korean companies will supply combat engines and transmission boxes for Turkey’s new “Altay” tank.
Larson noted that Turkey is building a new main battle tank in an attempt to replace its old American-made tanks, and added that Turkey lost 12 tanks during its incursion into northern regions of Syria in 2016.
In addition, a German-made Leopard 2 tank also went out of service.
The analyst also noted that the new “Altay” main battle tank “does not have much to surprise” compared to other tanks.
Turkey is working to create an engine block, for which its hopes of using German-made engines have faded after Germany imposed an arms embargo (restriction) following its military operations in Syria.
The engine and transmission components of the South Korean K2 main battle tank may be used for the new “Altay” tank projects, but, as Larson stated, those components even have German origins, for which South Korea will be forced to replace the German components to avoid Berlin’s arms embargo.
Turkey’s government is focused on developing the country’s defense industry and reducing dependence on foreign-made weapons. The Turkish side insists that the “Altay” is a fully locally produced tank, but Larson noted that the project resembles “Frankenstein’s monster” as a patchwork of components from Turkey, South Korea, and Germany.
