Turkiye is becoming a key player in tank and armour technologies thanks to integrating Roketsan's Reactive Armour on its main battle tank, the Altay. Altay tanks will incorporate Roketsan's ERA armour from production.
ERA armour increases tanks' protection level and is designed to deal with HEAT munitions. Reactive Armour can be classified into two broad categories: ERA (Explosive Reactive Armour) and NERA (Non-Explosive Reactive Armour). ERAs are the most common form of reactive armour. Instead, the NERA type represents a more recent and innovative alternative.
The basic principle of ERA armour is using explosive material located between two metal parts. When the HEAT munition engages the ERA armour, its explosive is activated, causing the metal parts to move forward in the opposite direction of the HEAT munition.
This move reduces the effect of the HEAT ammo so that it cannot penetrate the factory armour under the ERA armour. In addition to its modular composite armour designed to withstand a wide range of ballistic threats, the Altay incorporates the AKKOR active protection system, developed domestically and capable of detecting and intercepting imminent threats such as anti-tank missiles. The development of these armour technologies aligns with a global trend where tank protection is becoming increasingly complex.
Modern tanks face multiple threats, from missiles of all types to drones. While reactive armour is generally effective, it is less effective against APFSDS (Armour-Piercing Fin-Stabilised Discarding Sabot) kinetic energy projectiles. This is why armour designers like Roketsan are constantly working to offer multi-directional protection. Thanks to Aselsan's Volkan II fire control system, the tank can rapidly engage moving targets, even with a 120 mm smoothbore gun.
