Posted on 12/29/2013 5:08:05 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
ISTANBUL -- Turkey would like to see its next generation of combat tanks powered by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries technology, its defense minister says, as the country looks to collaborate with Japan on a variety of military equipment projects.
Turkey wants to work with Mitsubishi Heavy to develop a 1,500-horsepower-class engine and transmission system for the tanks, Ismet Yilmaz told The Nikkei in writing ahead of a Jan. 6-8 trip to Japan with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Turkey is developing the Altay main battle tank with South Korea. Plans call for prototype testing during the next two years and equipping the army with the tank by 2016, Yilmaz revealed.
The country initially plans to buy 250 units and may also sell Altays to "friendly ally nations" with Japanese approval, according to the defense minister.
"Japan and Turkey each have their own approaches to exporting defense equipment and intellectual property," he wrote. "Export to a third-party nation will be controlled by both Japan and Turkey and based on an agreement between us."
Impressed with Japan's development of the F-2 fighter jet, Yilmaz expressed interest in other areas of cooperation as well. He mentioned the possibility of partnering with such companies as Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Fuji Heavy Industries to develop helicopter engines.
For its part, Turkey has developed unmanned aircraft. Yilmaz suggested that the two countries could "shrink budgets and timetables by collaborating."
He also floated the idea of joint work on infrared detectors, fuel cells for submarines and ships, and other technologies.
Fun fact to amuse your friends with. I worked for General Dynamics. GD worked with Hyundai to build the M1K1 Korean tank. It was based on the American M1A1. Korea bribed, coerced and stole the technical data package. They then offered spare parts to GD’s other clients at a cut-rate. The parts were pin for pin compatible with GD’s parts.
If Turkey, Japan or anybody else involved thinks they’ll have a say in what Korea does with the design, they’re mistaken. Also, if Turkey wants to sell the tank to people the Japanese don’t want it sold to, I guarantee that Mitsubishi engine and transmission will be resourced in Korea.
On the other hand, the utility of a tank may be coming to an end. They represent a huge investment with a declining ability to survive on the battlefield. The tactics with which they’re used will become increasingly important to their survival on the battlefield. The Russians fighting in Chechnya lost an incredible number of tanks when they took them into cities, for example.
As long as there is infantry there will be tanks.
“As long as there is infantry there will be tanks.”
That’s probably true, but they are unlikely to be the massive fuel hungry logistics laden behemoths of today. Most likely they’ll be small remotely controlled or small with a minimum logistics footprint. The army was incredibly frustrated with General Dyanmics’ failure to design lighter vehicles that they went to Oshkosh and two other suppliers. The M1A1 and Stryker were unsuited for Afghanistan. The army has attempted several times to shut the production facility in Lima, Ohio, but so far GD’s pocket congressmen have stopped them from doing so. (I don’t know what’s in this budget, but in the last one Congress earmarked Army funds that could only be spent there.)
All excellent points. A lighter more mobile tank is certainly needed. But, I would not suggest scrapping the Abrams just yet. Keep in mind that in the years leading up to Desert Storm all the smart military thinkers had declared the time of big tank battles had passed. And btw, the same for division size infantry.
My dad always called tanks armored coffins and he was a tanker way back when.
Your posts are always really interesting about the behind the scenes of military contracting and procurement.
I have a little seat time in an Abrams from playing NG back in the early 90s and even then believed that their time would end as a dominant player seeing what it took just to support the few we used just on weekend warrior ride around.
Abrams still has a place and I wouldn’t want to see it scrapped until a real replacement comes around but no telling when that will be.
“Your posts are always really interesting about the behind the scenes of military contracting and procurement.”
Thank you. I’ve run lots of small programs from “womb to tumb” and one $54 million dollar project. Now, if somebody would just hire me. (Or, buy my novels... http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&field-author=Bern%20Pearson&page=1&rh=n%3A133140011%2Cp_27%3ABern%20Pearson )
Just so long as they don’t use Caterpillar engines.
Caterpillar plagued by regen systems failure. cant keep the damned things running.
You are welcome. I’ve got your amazon stuff on my wishlist for hopefully the next round of ordering when I pay the CC next month.
I’m in a form of manufacturing owned by an organization in the UK and see periodic higher management posts. What they pay and perks there are, I really couldn’t say. I think those slots are filled by recruiters. Usually when a new hire is made, the IT department is generally the last to know. If we get a 2 week leadtime, it is rare. Usually it is a week or less.
“regen”
Govt don’t worry about that emission stuff, LOL
I guessing not too far down the road we’ll have drone tanks being fought by drone aircraft.
In Washington DC an Ambulance quit running, the patient died. Regen system failure.
It isn’t only Caterpillar having problems with it.
The school buses are constantly breaking down from the regen system failures.
Seems to work fairly well for open road vehicles.
Yes, I worked on EPA 2007 emission engine development before I retired
But military vehicles don’t mandate that stuff, they realize reliability and uptime are paramount.
“I guessing not too far down the road we’ll have drone tanks being fought by drone aircraft.”
Well, that would certainly be one contingency we should be prepared for. War have always been about achieving at least two objectives; killing the enemy and destroying the enemies’ resources and assets. With the scenario of drones fighting drones I suppose the outcome would be determined by who eliminates the others assets first. Doesn’t seem like it would be much of a war to me. But, I’m old school; a Vietnam vet who’s war was all about body count....
I was recently asked by a US company to help them enter the S. Korean market. I have been doing business there for thirty years and they wanted some pointers. This is a family run Christian company. While waiting to meet the owner I noticed that there was a big wall poster with their “Code of Conduct” signed by him and all the top management. When we got into the meeting I asked if he really meant his CoC commitment. He got all puffed up and was offended that I would question his moral fiber. I then asked if he was worried about federal laws regarding the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. He said “No” because they would never do business that way. I then asked if he would be willing to pay an expedite fee to SK customs to get his shipments moving. The answer was “NO!”. I told him he could not do business in SK and sent him a large bill for the advice.
SK is amazingly corrupt. People complain about the Chinese but at least they let you know what it going to cost to do business there up front.
It's hard to understand your contempt for his moral code and your evident (and expensive) pride in your own lack of same.
Sure, men like you are a dime a dozen--the Obama administration is loaded with your like, for instance--but one doesn't often see them preening here on FR.
Back off jerkweed newbie. I have no contempt for his code. It is pure business. If you want to sell stuff to South Korea you have to play by their rules. Their house.
Oh and GFY for the last insult.
LOL. Boy what a tough guy.
Did you read your own post or do you have one of your many, many lackies take care of that kind of thing, Trump?
You sneered at his “huffing and puffing” and then claim to have stuck him with a “large bill,” apparently because you found him so pathetic. Sounds not only like contempt but the pissed-off dreams of a failed candy-ass.
I don’t think you have any such business as you claim. You don’t have the smarts or the cool to negotiate with a shoeshine boy.
Go ahead, rant. Show me what you’re made of, tough guy. And when your finished, write up another “large bill,” okay? Then stuff it right up there next to the rest of your fantasies.
What a tool.
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