The Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM) announced Friday that it received requests for proposals from five companies for the Powertrain Development Project for the Altay main battle tank.

Accordingly, BMC Automotive Industry and Trade Inc., Figes Physics and Geometry Computer Simulation Service Trade Inc., Istanbul Maritime Shipbuilding Industry and Trade Inc., Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) Engine Industry Inc. and TÜMOSAN Engine and Tractor Industry Inc. were companies that submitted proposals for the tender.

After the process of developing an engine for Turkey's first domestic tank development program Altay with the local tractor and diesel engine production firm TÜMOSAN was deemed inconclusive, the SSM launched a new tender for the Powertrain Development Project for the Altay main battle tank.

Two Turkish defense firms, FNSS Defense Systems and Otokar, announced they had submitted their proposals for the mass production of the tank last week. A total of 250 Altay tanks are said to be produced in the first stage.

It was previously reported that the aim in the scope of the tender is to utilize existing facilities and capabilities within the Turkish industry at the maximum level in order to meet the powertrain requirements of the Altay tank with domestic and national facilities.

The final product aims to remove the Altay tank's foreign dependency on the powertrain, developing a powertrain that is not subject to an export license.

Previously, in the 2017-2021 Strategic Plan published by the SSM, the primary date for the first Altay tank to enter service was set for 2020.

The Altay is a third-generation version of the main battle tank and Turkey's first indigenous tank development program. The tank was named after army Gen. Fahrettin Altay, who commanded the Fifth Cavalry Corps during the Turkish War of Independence.