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Turkey was created in 1923 from the Turkish remnants of the Ottoman Empire. Soon thereafter the country instituted secular laws to replace traditional religious fiats. In 1945 Turkey joined the UN and in 1949 it became a member of NATO. Turkey occupied the northern portion of Cyprus in 1974 to prevent a Greek takeover of the island; relations between the two countries remain strained. Periodic military offensives against Kurdish terrorists have dislocated part of the population in southeast Turkey and have drawn international condemnation. - US CIA World Factbook

Hotchkiss "automitraileuse"
Hotchkiss "automitraileuse"

Built in 1909. Four were supplied to the Sultan of Turkey.

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Renault FT17

2 man light tank. The first armored capability of the Turkish Armed Forces was the Renault tank, acquired from France and delivered to the Infantry Shooting School at Maltepe/İstanbul in 1928.

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Renault R35(ZM)

Aquired 1940. 2 man light tank. Exact number of units are unknown.

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Vickers Light Tank VIb

Date of acquisition is unknown. 3 man light tank. Exact number of units are unknown.

Turkish Soviet T-26---Turkish Soviet T-26---Turkish Soviet T-26
Soviet T-26

The Turks purchased the T-26 model 1933, they where bought 1934. Another source states that the tanks were purchased in 1932. The Turkish vehicles (like all export T-26) had fully welded hulls and turrets to make an better impression on foreign observers. When delivered they formed Turkey's first tank battalion unit at Luleburgaz. The first commander was Tahsin Yazici. They where stationed in Thrace and where taken out of service 1942. It appears that 64 where owned.

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Soviet BT2

3 man fast Medium/Light tank. Exact date of acquisition and numbers are unknown.

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Soviet T-27

Five were purchased. Further data is lacking.

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Soviet T-28

In 1935, 2 units were sold to Turkey. No other history is known.

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Soviet BA-3 Armored Car

Further details are lacking.

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Soviet BA-6 Armored Car

60 units delivered. Exact date and details are unknown.

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German PzKpfw III

In 1943 Hitler ordered 56 of these units to be delivered to Turkey. This was done to encourage the Turks to attack the USSR or to cause the Soviets to divert military units to counter a possible Turkish threat. The type delivered had the 5cm L/60 main gun.

German PzKpfw IV Ausf G
German PzKpfw IV Ausf G

Fifteen Ausf G units were delivered to Turkey starting in 1943. Seven were delivered in March and eight more delivered in May. This was done to help encourage Turkey to attack the USSR or to cause the USSR to divert manpower to defend the frontier between the two nations.

CKD Praga TH
CKD Praga TH

Later units were known as Praga T 6. Over 900 of these units were produced and exported widely. Turkey obtained 434. The production run was from 1937 - 1944. Though built by the Czech firm of CKD (later BMM), it was never used by the Czechoslovak army.

CKD Praga TH7
CKD Praga TH7

Built by the Czech firm of CKD (later known as BMM). Initially called the Praga TH 7, it was renamed the Praga T 8. Built between 1937 to 1939, all 62 produced units were purchased by Turkey. This vehicle was never used by the Czech army. The TH 7 could tow 8 tons and carry 1 ton.

CKD Praga TH 6
CKD Praga TH 6

Built by the Czech firm of CKD (later known as BMM). Initially called the Praga TH 6, it was renamed the Praga T 7. Built between 1937 to 1939, all 40 produced units were purchased by Turkey. This vehicle was never used by the Czech army. The TH 6 could tow 7 tons and carry 1 ton.

CKD Praga T 9
CKD Praga T 9

Built by the Czech firm of CKD (later known as BMM). Initially called the Praga TH 6, it was renamed the Praga T 9. 76 were built between 1937 to 1943. 16 units were purchased by Turkey, 5 by Slovakia, and the rest by the German army. This vehicle was never used by the Czech army. The TH 6 could tow 10 tons and carry 1 ton.

People who helped to make this page possible

Daniella Carlsson
Daniella Carlsson

Mario Doherr

Tim Keennon

S. Egorov

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Last Update: Thursday, February 13, 2003