IAV 2023: Akkor active protection system to be fielded in 2023

The Akkor active protection system's subcomponents include a radar, effector projectile, and two-round launcher (from left to right). (Aselsan)

Aselsan's Akkor active protection system (APS) will be fielded on Turkey's Altay main battle tank (MBT) by the end of 2023, Janes learnt at Defence iQ's International Armoured Vehicles (IAV) 2023 conference being held in London from 23 to 26 January. Onur Töreci, solution manager for Aselsan's APS and surveillance radars, told Janes that final trials are now under way, and the system will be fitted to all Altay tanks when they enter service.

While Aselsan is confident Akkor will provide protection against top-attack munitions and it has achieved a success rate of over 95% in tests, the company is also looking at how the system can be adapted to provide defence against unmanned aerial vehicles.

The lighter Kama APS designed for use on light armoured vehicles is under development and is not expected to be available for at least two years.

Meanwhile, the shorter-interception-range Pulat APS has been fielded by the Turkish Army and since 2020 has been fitted to 40 M60T tanks, but as yet has not found any export customers.