In the defense industry, dependence on foreign sources is further decreasing with domestic engines.

Fuat Tosyalı, Chairman of Tosyalı Holding and BMC, stated that the investment in the tank factory in Ankara is progressing at full speed, saying, "By the end of next year, our tank factory will be completed with all its units, and the first tanks will be delivered to our forces."

Tosyalı answered questions from AA reporters at the SAHA EXPO International Defense, Aviation, and Space Industry Fair, organized by SAHA Istanbul, the largest industrial cluster in Europe, under the auspices of the Presidency, with the support of 6 ministries and the Presidency of Defense Industries, in partnership with Anadolu Agency at the Istanbul Fair Center.

"THE DEPENDENCY OF LAND FORCES HAS BEEN ELIMINATED"

Emphasizing that domestic engine projects have taken the independence of the national defense industry a step further, Tosyalı said, "Because every equipment you procure from abroad comes with a commitment when you purchase it. You cannot use it in certain areas. You cannot export it. If you are going to do so, you need to get permission from us. With BMC POWER, we have completely eliminated the dependency of our Land Forces' vehicles on foreign countries." Reminding that they introduced the VURAN vehicles with 100% domestic BMC POWER engines last year, Tosyalı stated that they have also started production of KİRPİ vehicles with BMC POWER engines this year.

AFTER LAND, THE DOMESTIC ENGINE ERA AT SEA

Indicating that the successes achieved in the power groups of land vehicles have also attracted the interest of the naval forces, Tosyalı said that the honor of producing the BMC Marin engine has been given to the company. Tosyalı expressed that this situation is exciting for them, stating: "Because now our domestic and national engines and power groups are also starting to be used in our naval vessels. We are starting with small and medium-sized engines. We have intense work on localization and design. We have a large engineering team. We do not shy away from any investment in this regard. Hopefully, step by step, we will also provide the marine engines needed by our Naval Forces."

"WE ARE AT THE SERIAL PRODUCTION STAGE FOR THE TANK"

Providing current information about the tank engine they produced for the ALTAY tank, Tosyalı stated that the process of producing tank engines arose from a significant need, and that the work in this direction began due to difficulties in procurement from abroad. He expressed that the primary reason for the establishment of BMC POWER was this, and that since then, the tank engine has been developed step by step. Emphasizing that the ALTAY power group is very special, Tosyalı provided the following information: "Only 6 or 7 countries in the world can produce this. We are one of them. We produced our engine. It is undergoing intensive testing at the test center. Last year, we delivered our first 2 tanks. Our Land Forces are testing it. It has passed all testing phases without any issues. Now we are at the serial production stage. Our investment in the tank factory in Ankara is also progressing at full speed. By the end of next year, our tank factory will be completed with all its units, and the first tanks will be delivered to our forces." Tosyalı explained that until the testing phases of their power groups are completed, the first tanks will be equipped with Korean power groups.

"THE NEW ALTAY HAS THE TECHNOLOGY OF THE FUTURE"

Recalling that they announced the New ALTAY tank when they delivered the ALTAY tank last year, Tosyalı pointed out that the tank was initially designed according to the battlefield conditions of 10 years ago. Noting that the battlefield now requires more qualified equipment, Tosyalı stated, "The only similarity between the New ALTAY tank and the first ALTAY tank is its external appearance. Its electronic capabilities and satellite ground connections are completely up-to-date, even beyond that. In other words, all possible technologies of the future are present in our New ALTAY tank. We are in close contact with our forces. We can develop and adapt to all requests coming from the field."

"OUR EXPORT IS AT A VERY GOOD POINT"

Providing information about the company's goals, Tosyalı stated that BMC is one of Turkey's oldest companies. Fuat Tosyalı mentioned that they have a very wide portfolio and that they continue their path without falling behind the times, even presenting firsts within this portfolio. Expressing that they received great interest at SAHA EXPO, Tosyalı said, "Our lines are full. If your product is good and truly capable, there are many buyers. Also, if you are not tied to a specific place... We used to have significant problems in exports a long time ago. We would produce the vehicle, but since we obtained the engine from abroad, we could not sell it to a certain country. You cannot give it there, you cannot send it there. There would be months of permissions. Now these do not exist. We can now sit at the table, shake hands, and get up. Therefore, our export is at a very good point."