Türkiye enhances Altay tanks with advanced reactive armor

Reactive armor, also known as dynamic protection, represents a significant advancement in military defense technology, offering crucial protection for tanks and armored vehicles against powerful anti-tank weapons.

The Turkish military's primary armored force, the Altay main battle tank, now boasts reactive armor in its production models, Caliber.Az reports citing the foreign media.

This locally-developed dynamic protection, crafted by Turkish defense leader Roketsan, has been confirmed by sources from both local and Asian media.

This advanced armor was engineered at the Roketsan Ballistic Defense Center. Known for its expertise in missile systems, rockets, and bombs, Roketsan’s latest endeavor aims to enhance the Altay tanks with state-of-the-art dynamic protection, ensuring top-tier combat safety for tank crews.

Türkiye began mass production of the Altay battle tank in May 2024, marking a significant milestone in its defense program. This extensive initiative, spearheaded by the Turkish Ministry of Defense, integrates the efforts of several key local companies. BMC Otomotiv leads the production, Aselsan is responsible for subsystems and fire control systems, Roketsan supplies the advanced reactive armor, and MKEK manufactures the main 120mm gun.

South Korea is also a crucial partner in Türkiye’s Altay program. Hyundai Rotem, a renowned South Korean firm, is providing design consultancy and technology transfer, while Hyundai WIA is working with MKEK to develop the technology for the 120mm 55 caliber smoothbore gun.

Additionally, South Korea plays a significant role in the development and equipping of the Altay tank with advanced composite armor. This armor is based on South Korea’s DSAP technology, which is also used in the K2 Black Panther and K9 Thunder tanks and self-propelled artillery.

For the Altay’s dynamic defense, Roketsan has been discreet about the specifics. However, a representative from Roketsan indicated that their cutting-edge materials will elevate reactive armor to a new level of protection.

Dynamic protection, or reactive armor, has not always been widely adopted by Western militaries. Nonetheless, Russia chose to equip its tanks with this technology during the Ukraine invasion, yielding mixed results. Despite this, the use of dynamic protection is gaining traction. Greece took a pioneering step last year by becoming the first nation to widely implement dynamic protection on its Leopard 2A4 tanks. Türkiye is now advancing in this area, not only upgrading its fleet of 300 Leopard tanks but also integrating this sophisticated defense system into the newly mass-produced Altay tanks.

Reactive armor, also known as dynamic protection, is designed to enhance the defensive capabilities of military vehicles, particularly tanks. It works by countering high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warheads and other shaped charges that aim to penetrate armor using a focused jet of metal.

The fundamental principle of reactive armor involves explosive elements placed between two metal plates. When a high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead impacts the armor, the explosive layer detonates, causing the metal plates to move outward. This movement disrupts the focused jet of metal produced by the warhead, reducing its effectiveness and preventing it from breaching the main armor of the vehicle.

Reactive armor comes in two main types: Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) and Non-Explosive Reactive Armor (NERA). ERA uses actual explosives to enhance protection, while NERA relies on non-explosive materials that react physically upon impact. Both types are designed to minimize damage from incoming projectiles and improve the vehicle's defensive capabilities.

One of the primary advantages of reactive armor is its ability to offer substantial protection while keeping the vehicle's weight manageable. This balance is essential for preserving the mobility and effectiveness of tanks and other armored vehicles. However, reactive armor is most effective against specific threats, such as high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warheads, and may not offer comprehensive protection against all types of attacks.

The development of reactive armor has progressed significantly over the years. Modern systems use advanced materials and design innovations to enhance their protective capabilities. Many contemporary reactive armor systems are modular, allowing for straightforward field replacement and upgrades, which extends the vehicle’s operational lifespan and adaptability in combat situations.