With the Altay main battle tank (MBT) programme entering the production phase, the Turkish Army needs a tank transporter to ensure long range mobility for its armoured formations. At IDEF 2025 BMC unveiled the Zeybek 8×8 armoured tank transporter, the tractor being coupled with a trailer provided by Öztreyler
In the coming years the first Turkish Land Forces (TLF) armoured units will start receiving their first Altay MBTs. The long-delayed programme is coming to fruition, the latest information calling for the production of 80 T1 baseline tanks and 170 T2 upgraded vehicles, the latter fitted with improved armour and situational awareness. As for the T3 version, which should see the current turret replaced by an unmanned one equipped with an autoloader, for the time being only one prototype seems to be financed, a production contract being awaited at a later date, the TLF requirement being for 1,000 MBTs. According to a production plan unveiled by SSB last February, all T1s should be produced by 2028, that year marking the shift from the T1 to the T2 production.
When the TLF will start receiving the new tank, which combat mass is over 65 tonnes, it will certainly need the means to rapidly redeploy it where needed. The new tank transporter was unveiled at the Istanbul exhibition and was one of the stars on the BCM stand.
The tank transporter is based on the Zeybek 8×8 family of heavy trucks, one example in the recovery variant being also visible at IDEF. The latter, for example, has a longer chassis compared to the tank transporter tractor, features the same armoured cabin, an unarmoured cabin being also available, and is powered by a Cummins 600 hp diesel engine.
The Zeybek 8×8 armoured tank transporter is powered by a more powerful Cummins turbodiesel intercooler 675 hp engine linked to an Allison fully automatic transmission with torque converter, a 2-speed transfer case ensuring maximum traction on slopes. The range is 800 km. Maximum gradient is 60% at kerb mass and 30% at gross combined mass, which considering the tractor unit, the trailer and the tank can reach 127,000 kg. Maximum side slope is 30%, the Zeybek 8×8 being able to ford a 750 mm deep water obstacle. The truck is fitted with parabolic leaf spring with telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers and anti-roll bar at the front, rear suspensions adopting tandem parabolic leaf springs in place of the single one. An all-wheel drive vehicle with rigid axles, it is fitted with 14.00 R20 or 10×20” tires; a spare tire is fitted behind the cabin, on the right. The protection level of the cabin, which can host up to four personnel, was not provided. In the tank transporter configuration, the Zeybek 8×8 is 9,450 mm long, 3,750 mm high and 3,250 mm wide with mirrors.
The semitrailer provided by Öztreyler is 16,390 mm long, the loading area being 11,000 mm long and 3,800 mm wide. It is fitted with 12 pendel axles with hydraulic suspensions, of which 10 are steerable, turning diameter being 25 metres. Each axle is fitted with two 285/75R 19 tires for a total of 24, two spare tires being available. The platform is fitted with a loading and unloading reel group for armoured vehicles, with fixing eyebolts for armoured vehicles, as well as with coupling locks for 20-foot containers. The kerb mass of the Öztreyler Tank Carrier Low-bed is 33,000 kg.
Photos by P. Valpolini at IDEF 2025