Türkiye has officially inducted its first serial-production Altay main battle tanks into the Turkish Armed Forces, marking a significant advancement in its defense self-reliance strategy. The ceremony, attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, took place at the new BMC Ankara facility, where the Altay underwent extensive testing, including over 35,000 kilometers of trials and 3,700 live-fire exercises. This mass production initiative aims to manufacture eight Altay tanks and ten Altuğ armored vehicles monthly, with an ambitious target of delivering 250 units over five years. The Altay’s advanced features bolster Türkiye’s position as a rising defense exporter and reflect its commitment to reducing foreign reliance in defense capabilities, highlighting the broader trend of nations pursuing strategic autonomy in military production.