Ankara: Trkiye's main battle tank Altay's engine, BATU, has reached a critical milestone with the completion of its factory acceptance procedures, as announced by the Turkish defense industries secretary. "The factory acceptance tests for the 1,500 horsepower BATU engine, developed for our modern main battle tank ALTAY, have been successfully completed," Haluk Gorgun shared on the Turkish social media platform NSosyal.
According to Anadolu Agency, Gorgun emphasized that the BATU engine, developed by BMC POWER using national resources, highlights the advancements Trkiye has made in land vehicle engine technologies with its performance, durability, and operational capabilities. The development process of the BATU engine, which began in 2018, faced initial challenges such as gaps in engineering infrastructure, testing facilities, supply chain, and human resources. However, through the acquisition of simulation, production, and testing capabilities, the engines have been effectively developed and tested.
The BATU engine is designed to meet the high mobility requirements of the Altay Tank, demonstrating superior performance in areas such as low fuel consumption, long lifespan, and suitability for high altitudes and challenging climatic conditions. The BATU Power Group, which ensures the tank's mobility, comprises engine, transmission, and cooling package components. With the BATU engine now ready, the focus has shifted to the qualification of the domestically produced transmission, with efforts in this area proceeding rapidly.
Haluk Gorgun noted that the BATU engine represents the engineering maturity and strategic vision that Trkiye has achieved in the defense industry. He also highlighted that the engine's development with domestic and national resources is a significant step towards ending Trkiye's dependence on foreign sources in this sector.