Turkey receives first pair of M60T1 MBTs
The TLFC received its first two M60T1 MBTs on 10 February. (Nexter)
The first two M60T1 main battle tanks (MBTs) modernised under theTanklara İlave Yetenek Kazandırılması (TIYK) project were delivered to Turkish Land Forces Command (TLFC) on 10 February.
President of Defence Industry Agency Haluk Görgün, Deputy Minister of National Defence Celal Sami Tüfekçi, Turkish Land Forces Commander General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu, and Aselsan general manager Ahmet Akyol participated in the ceremony held in Şereflikoçhisar.
In the early 2000s Turkish Land Forces Logistics Command upgraded 170 M60A3 MBTs to the IMI M60T armed with a 120 mm smoothbore gun. The MBTs' survivability and situational awareness were improved based on Turkish experience in combat operations near the Syrian border. The upgrade incorporated installation of Aselsan's SARP remote-controlled weapon system (RCWS) armed with a 50 calibre M2 HB machine gun, Pulat active protection system, TEPES (telescopic periscope system), laser warning system, air conditioning system, and spall liners for increased survivability.
The TIYK project was initiated to further modernise these MBTs. Aselsan said in a press release on 12 February that the scope of the project is to replace the existing fire-control system (FCS), the company's Tank Command Control Combat Information System, T-Kalip crew seats, and additional armour protection provided by Roketsan.
The new M60T1 MBT FCS is Aselsan's Volkan-M system. According to Aselsan, the simplified system architecture incorporates high-resolution thermal/day imaging and a high first-shot hit probability, enabling effective fire-control functions in the most challenging air and land conditions, whether the tank is stable or mobile. The FCS features improved firing capabilities, enhanced first-round hit probability, reduced dependency on procurement from foreign countries, effective maintainability throughout the system's life cycle, minimised fault rate and maintenance time, decreased logistic support requirements, user-friendly operation, and reduced life-cycle costs.
