- Yes
- No
Background
M60 Main Battle Tanks were first introduced to the Turkish Armed Forces in 1980 through the United States’ military aid program to NATO allies. The acquisition began with the M60A1 and was later continued with more advanced M60A3 TTS . Deliveries of the M60A3 tanks began in 1982, and they were gradually integrated into the Turkish Armed Forces’ inventory. Initially, the M60A3 tanks played a key role in the Turkish Land Forces , particularly within armored brigade units . However, later in its service life, M60A3 was gradually relegated to close fire support roles, rather than being used as frontline tanks with the arrival of the M60T and later the Leopard 2A4 Main Battle Tanks. M60A3 has been the backbone of Turkish Armed Forces’ armored units, playing significant roles in everything from border security and international operations to training missions.
The first real modernization of the M60 Main Battle Tanks began in the early 2000s, starting with the M60A1 in collaboration with the Israeli defense firm IMI Systems. A total of 170 M60A1 tanks were upgraded with the Sabra Mk.II Modernization Package and were re-designated as M60T in Turkish Armed Forces. However, the M60A3 was not included in this upgrade, and the project concluded with only the modernization of the M60A1 tanks.
The M60A3 Main Battle Tanks of the Turkish Armed Forces underwent several smaller modifications throughout their service life, including the integration of the Kelebek Machine-Gun Mount, ASELSAN YAS/YGU APU, ROKETSAN Cage Armor & RPG Net, and more comprehensive upgrades such as the addition of Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA). In 2018, images of a modernized M60A3 tank began circulating on social media, with this variant unofficially dubbed M60A3T1. However, it was never officially accepted into service, and the M60A3T1 project was eventually abandoned due to unsatisfactory performance results.
In 2023, a new modernization project was initiated, based on the ROKETSAN M60A3 Next Generation concept. This latest modernization is the most ambitious attempt to upgrade the M60A3 in Turkish Armed Forces’ service, featuring ROKETSAN’s state-of-the-art turret system, the MZK, a new low-recoil 105mm main gun, the DGTS 105, as well as a new electro-optic suite and a remotely controlled weapon platform. The first prototype was delivered to the Turkish Armed Forces for evaluation in the same year, and as of 2025, tests are still ongoing.
M60A3T1
M60A3T1 is an extensively modernised variant of the M60A3 Main Battle Tank used by the Turkish Armed Forces. This modernisation package was part of the Fırat Modernization Program, initiated by the Presidency of Defence Industries in response to lessons learned during Operation Euphrates Shield (Fırat Kalkanı Harekâtı). ROKETSAN and ASELSAN were selected to modernise a total of 40 M60A3 Main Battle Tanks. The program aimed to enhance the survivability, situational awareness, and firepower of these battle-hardened tanks. Although the initial plan was to upgrade 40 tanks—enough to equip a full tank battalion—only one or two prototypes were ultimately completed and tested by the Turkish Armed Forces. However, due to unsatisfactory results, particularly regarding mobility issues, the modernization project was eventually abandoned
Scope of Fırat Modernisation Project
Fırat Modernization Program was launched to enhance the protection, survivability, and firepower of ageing M60A3 Main Battle Tanks in service with the Turkish Armed Forces. Modernisation was carried out by ROKETSAN and ASELSAN jointly; ROKETSAN providing armor package, while ASELSAN providing other sub-systems. Ultimately project was abandoned due to underwhelming performance, with mobility issues being the primary factor.
As part of the Fırat Modernization Program, the following indigenous sub-systems were integrated into the M60A3 Main Battle Tank:
YAMGOZ Enhanced 360° Close Range Surveillance System
YAMGOZ Surveillance System is a high-performance day-night vision system designed mainly for Main Battle Tanks, Tracked and Wheeled Platforms. YAMGOZ provides enhance situational awareness and maneuvering capability in harsh weather and environment. System composes of 4-YAMGOZ with 360° day-night and thermal view.
Main Features
• Thermal Imager
• Day-Night Imager
• RWS-FCS Compatibility
• Fusion View with Day Camera & Thermal Imager
Brochure with More Information
SARP 100 Remote Weapon Platform
SARP 100 is a compact, remotely operated stabilized weapon platform with high-precision surveillance capabilities and superb firepower. It can be integrated onto vehicles or fixed posts to provide firepower against air, ground, and asymmetric threats. SARP has ability to mount 7,62mm machine-gun, 12.7mm heavy machine-gun and 40 mm automatic grenade launcher in accordance with the operational needs.
Main Features
• Laser Range Finder
• Day and Night Imaging
• Gyro Aided Stabilization
• Automatic Target Tracking
• Automatic Ballistic Calculation
• Shoot-On-the-Move Capability for Stationary and Moving Targets
LİAS-400 Tank Laser Warning System
LİAS-400 Laser Warning System is an advance threat detection system with ability to detect, classify and identify laser threats aiming on the platform and activate countermeasure systems in a short response time and with high sensitivity. LİAS-400 is designed to detect laser threats operating on various optical bands such as Laser Range Finders (LRF), Laser Designators (LD) and Laser Beam Riders (LBR).
Main Features
• High Sensitivity
• Threat Tracking
• Fast Response Time
• Threat Classification (LRF, LTD, LBR)
Brochure with More Information
GÖREN-100/200 Tank Driver Vision System
GÖREN-100/200 is a high-performance vision system designed for main battle tanks and other platforms to provide superior vision and maneuvering capability in harsh weather and battlefield conditions.
Main Features
• Thermal Imager
• Day and Night Usage
• Situational Awareness
• Advanced Vision Capability
Brochure with More Information
ASELSAN Brochure about Upgrade
General Specifications
Firepower
M60A3T1 did not receive any upgrades to its main armament, retaining the capable M68E1 105mm L/52 rifled cannon. However, its secondary armament was upgraded with the SARP 100 Remote Weapon Platform, equipped with 12.7mm heavy machine gun and offers the option to mount a 40mm automatic grenade launcher. The SARP 100 is a highly effective weapon system, featuring target tracking capability. It would be even more effective if this tracking feature were fully implemented
Mobility
Mobility of the M60A3T1 remains untouched, powered by the 750hp Continental AVDS-1790-2C V12 diesel engine paired with the CD-850-5 Cross-Drive transmission. However, due to the increased weight, the M60A3T1 had worse mobility performance compared to the M60A3, which was one of the main reasons the modernization effort was abandoned.
Protection
Overall protection of the M60A3T1 is significantly enhanced with the integration of ROKETSAN ERA, ADİS-400 laser warning receiver, and the planned AKKOR PULAT. The armor scheme is quite similar to that of the M60T/TM/T1, which has already proven to be highly effective. However, the M60A3T1’s armor might offer better protection than the M60T and TM, thanks to the more modern and capable ROKETSAN ERA
ROKETSAN’s Brochure About ERA Designed for M60T
ROKETSAN’s new generation Explosive Reactive Armor is a state-of-the-art reactive armor solution. ROKETSAN’s tests has showed that ROKETSAN ERA is immune against most of the contemporary CE threats including RPGs, ATGMs and HEAT rounds. In the tests ERA has stopped PG-7VR tandem-charged RPG with penetration power of 600mm behind-the-ERA penetration with minimal residual penetration and completely stopped 125mm HEAT/HEATFS rounds. Alongside image proofs, ROKETSAN’s production catalogue states that ERA is immune against PG-7VR, KORNET-E, TOW-2A Konkurs and other contemporary tandem-charged chemical threats.
Numbers for protection against Kinetic threats is not really given in any documents, so it is kind of hard to come up with any numbers. In the brochure it is simply stated that ROKETSAN ERA (specially used on Badger) offers enhanced protection against 105mm, 120mm and 125mm APFSDS rounds. It is also stated in the same brochure that ERA offers proaction against small caliber rounds up to 30mm. So it is safe to assume ROKETSAN ERA would not be triggered by small arms smaller than 30mm.
Performance of ROKETSAN ERA
Performance of ROKETSAN ERA Used On Badger Armor Package
CITV/Day Camera Question
This image shows the most complete M60A3T1 Prototype, equipped with all sub-systems except for the AKKOR PULAT APS. Interestingly, a Mast/Gimbal Camera can be seen on the front-left side of the turret. While it’s impossible to identify the exact model, we can make an educated guess here. ASELSAN offers two Mast/Gimbal cameras for ground vehicles: the MARTI-KARA and the KIRLANGIÇ-KARA Electro-Optical Reconnaissance and Surveillance Systems. It’s difficult to determine if this is indeed a camera, let alone which model was used on the prototype.
KIRLANGIÇ-KARA Electro-Optical Reconnaissance and Surveillance System
KIRLANGIÇ-KARA is a compact and lightweight Electro-Optical Reconnaissance and Surveillance System designed for main battle tanks and tactical armored vehicles to provide enhanced long range surveillance and target detection capabilities as well as situational awareness in harsh weather and battlefield conditions.
Main Features
• Laser Pointer
• Thermal Imager
• Day and Night Imager
• Gyroscopic Stabilization
• Eye-Safe Laser Range Finder
• Target Detection - Recognition - Identification
Brochure with More Information
MARTI-KARA Electro-Optical Reconnaissance and Surveillance System
MARTI-KARA is a compact and lightweight Electro-Optical Reconnaissance and Surveillance System designed for tactical armored vehicles to provide enhanced close range surveillance capabilities and situational awareness in harsh weather and battlefield conditions.
Main Features
• Thermal Imager
• Day and Night Imager
• Gyroscopic Stabilization
• Eye-Safe Laser Range Finder
• Digital Image Processing/Enhancement
Brochure with More Information
Specifications
- Dimensions and Weight
- Mass: +56 Tons
- Length: 6.9 m
- Width: 3.6 m
- Height: +3.2 m
- Armament
- Main Armament: M68E1105mm L/52 Rifled Cannon
- Secondary Armament:
∙ 7.62mm Co-Axial Machine Gun
∙ SARP 100 Remotely Controlled Weapon Station Mounted M2HB 12.7mm Heavy Machine-Gun - Ammunition Capacity
∙ 63 105mm Cannon Rounds
∙ ? 7.62mm Co-Axial Machine Gun
∙ ? 12.7mm Machine-Gun Rounds ˀ
- Mobility
- Engine: Continental AVDS-1790-2C Diesel Engine, 750 Horsepower
- Transmission: CD-850-5 Cross-Drive Transmission, 2 Forward, 1 Reverse
- Suspension: Torsion Bar
- Maximum Speed: 48 km/h
- Power to Weight: Around > 13,39 hp/t
- Protection
- Hull Armor
∙ ROKETSAN Passive Armor
∙ ROKETSAN Explosive Reactive Armor
- Hull Armor
- Turret Armor
∙ Slat Armor
∙ ROKETSAN Passive Armor
∙ ROKETSSAN Explosive Reactive Armor - Active Protection System: None (AKKOR PULAT Planned)
- Smoke Grenades: 8x
- Accessories
- Night Sight
∙ Gunner
∙ Commander
∙ Driver - Thermal Sight
∙ Gunner
∙ Commander
∙ Driver - CITV
- Spall Liner
- Laser Range Finder
- Laser Warning Reciever
- Automatic Target Tracking
- See-Before-Seen Capability
- Telescopic Periscope System
- 360° Close Range Surveillance System
- Hunter-Killer Capacity (Commander’s Override)
- Night Sight
Implementation to War Thunder
M60A3T1 should be reserved Turkish Ground Forces Tech Tree. M60A3T1 with enhanced protection and better situational awareness capabilities would be a quite formidable vehicle. It might fit around 9.3 to 9.7 Battle Rating range depending on ammunition and if it comes with planned APS system.
Additional Photos
Videos
Sources
Spoiler
Official Information Regarding M60A3 Fırat Modernization Program
https://twitter.com/ismaildemirssb/status/980427978697043968
Secondary Source Regarding M60A3 Fırat Modernization Program
https://www.millisavunma.com/m60a3-tank-modernizasyonu/
M60A3 Fırat Modernization Program Test 1
https://twitter.com/kirpivekobra/status/976764037571768321?lang=ga
M60A3 Fırat Modernization Program Test 2
https://twitter.com/Derinkuvvet/status/977268902962098176?
M60 Main Battle Tank
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M60_tank*#Specifications*
YAMGÖZ-100
YAMGÖZ-100 - ASELSAN
SARP 100
SARP 100 - ASELSAN
TEPES
https://x.com/aselsan/status/1757298583974432827?lang=EN
LİAS-400
LİAS 400 - ASELSAN
AKKOR PULAT
AKKOR PULAT - ASELSAN
GÖREN-100/GÖREN-200
KIRLANGIÇ-KARA
KIRLANGIÇ-KARA - ASELSAN
MARTI-KARA
MARTI-KARA - ASELSAN
ROKETSAN Armor Solutions
Roketsan - BALLISTIC PROTECTION SYSTEMS
https://www.roketsan.com.tr/uploads/docs/kataloglar/ENG/2024/1726595874_ballistic1.pdf
ROKETSAN ERA
https://www.roketsan.com.tr/uploads/docs/kataloglar/ENG/1674211734_bkm-eng.pdf
ROKETSAN ERA Secondary Source
Roketsan zırh çözümlerinde önemli gelişmeler | DefenceTurk
