Turkey puts 105mm Roketsan MZK turrets on aging M60A3 tanks
ANKARA, TURKEY — Roketsan developed the MZK 105mm autoloader turret as part of the M60A3 tank upgrade. In this way, Roketsan will reduce the weight of its tanks from this series.
- Turkey puts 25mm NEFER weapon system on its 134 ZMA-15 AFVs
- Ankara and Damascus shook hands, and Turkey withdrew its troops
- Turkey produced the mission computer for its 5th-gen aircraft
The Turkish Ministry of Defense aims to modernize the M60A3 main battle tanks that are in the inventory of the Turkish army. In this context, Roketsan developed a very special turret system for the M60A3 tanks.
Improved 105mm MZK turret features Explosive Reactive Armor [ERA] modules. The MZK also has a driver visualization system, an auxiliary power unit, fog mortars, laser warning receivers, a remote-controlled weapon system, and automatic loading. The new turret, which is much more advanced than the current 14.5-ton turrets on the M60A3 tanks, weighs 13 tons.
Previously, Roketsan used its own ERA and Spacer Modular Add-on armor solutions during the modernization of the Leopard 2A4 and M60T tanks. With the experience gained from these modernization projects, Roketsan presents a much more advanced solution for the M60A3 tanks.
It is known that there are more than 600 M60A3 main battle tanks in the inventory of the Turkish armed forces. Within the program, the modernization aims to bring the capabilities of the M60A3 tank closer to those of the M60TM tank.
Turkey modernizes Leopard 2A4
On the other hand, the Leopard 2A4 tanks, which are described as the modern tanks of the Turkish ground forces, are also undergoing complete modernization. According to Turkish sources, the contract for the modernization of Leopard 2 is currently being signed.
According to the contract, the Turkish Leopards will undergo a complete replacement of armor and electronics. As an armor solution, the T1 Armor System developed by Roketsan and integrated into 40 Leopard 2A4 tanks will be used.
As a result of the modernization activities, the Leopard 2A4 tanks will acquire a structure similar to the Leopard 2A4NG. Earlier, Turkish sources claimed that the turret developed for the Altai would be integrated into the Leopards. According to the latest information, again from Turkish media, this integration will not happen.
***
Follow us everywhere and at any time. BulgarianMilitary.com has responsive design and you can open the page from any computer, mobile devices or web browsers. For more up-to-date news, follow our Google News, YouTube, Reddit, LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook pages. Subscribe to our Newsletter and read our stories in News360App in AppStore or GooglePlay or in FeedlyApp in AppStore or GooglePlay. Our standards: Manifesto & ethical princliples