Turkish weapons manufacturer and defense contractor ROKETSAN recently unveiled the groundbreaking test results of its Modular Armoured Turret (MZK) fitted on an M60A3 main battle tank, marking a significant leap forward in tank firepower modernization. Replacing the conventional cast turret with the state-of-the-art M60A3 Next Generation up-armored turret, the MZK offers a remarkable reduction in weight without compromising on protection. Weighing in at 13 tonnes compared to the default turret’s 14.5 tonnes, the MZK provides enhanced survivability while incorporating an autoloader—an essential feature absent in its predecessor. Constructed with composite armor and fortified with explosive-reactive armor (ERA) on the sides, the MZK turret boasts superior defense capabilities. ROKETSAN’s ERA technology has demonstrated impressive resilience, withstanding 125mm HEAT rounds and 88mm tandem HEAT warheads with minimal residual penetration.
The integration of the ROKETSAN 105mm MZK Turret with an autoloader onto the M60A3 platform elevates the capabilities of these tanks to new heights. Offering enhanced protection, situational awareness, and a state-of-the-art fire control system, the MZK turret ensures optimal performance without adding excess weight to the tank system. While initially implemented on the M60A3, the versatility of the MZK turret extends its applicability to other main battle tanks such as the German Leopard 1 and Russian T72. ROKETSAN has also hinted at the possibility of equipping the MZK turret with a 125mm smoothbore gun for integration onto T72 tanks, further expanding its potential applications. The MZK turret presents lucrative export opportunities for nations seeking to enhance their firepower, situational awareness, and armored protection. With its adaptable architecture allowing integration onto various tank models appeals to a wide range of potential buyers across Asia, South America, and Eastern Europe.
The M60 is an American second-generation main battle tank (MBT).Hull production ended in 1983, but 5,400 older models were converted to the M60A3 variant ending in 1990. Turkey has approximately 800 M60A3 tanks in upgraded versions, including 165 M60TM Firat. The Tank Additional Capability Enhancement (TIYK, Tanklara Ilave Yetenek Kazandirlmasi) – M60T Project has reached its final stage of modernization by localizing the electronic systems on M60T Tanks. All electronic systems on the M60T Tanks have been made producible with national capabilities, eliminating external dependencies except for the power group. The TIYK-M60T Project, initiated to provide additional capabilities and modernize the existing systems, aims to replace the foreign-made Fire Control System with the National Fire Control System VOLKAN-M. The following subsystems were integrated into the M60T tank under the project: VOLKAN-M Fire Control System, Tank Command Control Communication, Information System, Additional Armor Protection and Crew Seats.
Roketsan Roket Sanayii ve Ticaret A.S. is a Turkish weapons manufacturer and defense contractor based in Ankara, Turkey. Incorporated in 1988 by Turkey’s Defense Industry Executive Committee (SS?K) to establish the nation’s industrial base on missile technology, the company has quickly risen to become one of Turkey’s top 500 industrial corporations. Roketsan’s current share holders include Turkish Armed Forces Foundation (55.5%), ASELSAN (15%), MKEK (15%), Vak?flar Bankas? (10%), HAVELSAN (4.5%). Roketsan is best known for its wide range of guided and unguided rockets as well as guided missiles such as Bora, Tayfun, Atmaca, Cirit, UMTAS and OMTAS. The company also produces subsystems for Stinger, Rapier and ESSM missiles and provides technology and engineering solutions for other integrated civilian and military platforms. Recent developments highlight small-diameter precision-strike bombs for unmanned aerial vehicles.
