AKTAN: BMC and Koluman’s Battlefield Fuel Tanker — Specs, Turkish Service and Exports Explained
Türkiye’s AKTAN battlefield fuel tanker is not a single truck but a two-tier program: BMC supplied the original 6×6 tanker, while Koluman is building an armored 8×8 version on its DERMAN chassis. According to project data released by the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) in September 2026, 86 tankers have been delivered to the Turkish security forces and a further 41 armored tankers are being procured.
| Manufacturer | BMC (6×6 AKTAN) / Koluman (Armored AKTAN on DERMAN 8×8) |
| Operators | Turkish Land Forces, Navy, Gendarmerie, National Police |
| Program | SSB Battlefield Fuel Tanker program |
| Quantity | 86 delivered; 41 armored tankers in procurement |
| Local content | No official figure; chassis, cab and tank body built in Türkiye |
| Program start | First contract June 28, 2015; armored contract July 2023 |
What Is AKTAN?
The name is widely used as shorthand for the Turkish “Akaryakıt Tankeri”, or fuel tanker. The vehicle refuels aircraft, helicopters, tanks and air defense assets in the field so that operations are not interrupted by fuel shortages. BMC states that its 6×6 AKTAN can refuel four vehicles simultaneously.
The armored variant exists for a simple reason: fuel has to reach units operating close to the threat. Koluman’s Armored AKTAN pairs a ballistically protected cab with a ballistic self-sealing tank body, a feature that limits fuel loss if the tank is hit.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 12,000 liters (SSB) |
| Protection | Ballistic sealing; protected cab on armored variant |
| Crew | 3 |
| Drive options | 6×6 (BMC) and 8×8 (Koluman DERMAN) |
| Engine | 400+ hp with automatic transmission (SSB) |
| Simultaneous refueling | 4 vehicles (BMC 6×6, manufacturer data) |
| Air transport | 6×6 variant fits in an A400M (Defence Turkey) |
The SSB figures describe the program as a whole. Offering both an air-transportable 6×6 and a protected 8×8 under one requirement gives the Turkish Army flexibility that many forces only achieve by buying from two separate programs.
Who Builds It and Program History
The first contract was awarded by SSB to BMC on June 28, 2015. It covered 84 BMC 440 6×6 based tankers, 17 configured for helicopter refueling and 67 for ground vehicles; 83 went to the Land Forces and one to the Navy, with deliveries completed in 2018, according to Defence Turkey. SSB’s latest note puts the total delivered at 86, without explaining the difference.
Competition for the armored requirement became visible at IDEF 2021, where Anadolu Savunma displayed its own armored tanker prototype on the SEYİT truck family. The contract, however, went to Koluman, which signed with SSB in July 2023 during IDEF 2023. The deal covers 41 vehicles on the DERMAN 8×8 chassis, 39 for the Land Forces and two for the Gendarmerie. Counting from the first contract, the program has now run for roughly eleven years.
Turkish Service and Deliveries
SSB lists the Land Forces, Navy, Gendarmerie and National Police as users. The 6×6 fleet has been in service since 2018. For the armored version, reports in July 2025 said the first ten vehicles had been handed over, with the rest scheduled for the third quarter of 2025. SSB’s September 2026 note, however, still lists the 41 armored tankers as “to be procured”, so completion of the batch has not been officially confirmed. Both the BMC AKTAN and the Koluman Armored AKTAN took part in the vehicle parade that opened IDEF 2025.
Exports
There is no publicly announced export contract for AKTAN. The DERMAN 8×8 base vehicle made its international debut at DSEI 2023 in London, where Koluman said it aimed to introduce the platform to NATO armies.
Trade Show Appearances
Key appearances include IDEF 2021 (competing armored tanker concept), IDEF 2023 (armored contract signature), DSEI 2023 (DERMAN 8×8 international debut) and IDEF 2025 (both variants in the opening parade).
Local Content and Key Subsystems
No official local content figure has been published. The chassis, cab, tank body and integration are handled by two Turkish manufacturers: BMC in Izmir and Koluman in Tarsus, Mersin, which also delivered 70 DERMAN-based DROPS container carriers to the Turkish Army. The key subsystems of the armored variant are the protected cab and the self-sealing tank. The engine supplier has not been disclosed.
Global Counterparts
The US Army’s standard answer is the Oshkosh HEMTT M978 fuel servicing truck, which carries about 2,500 US gallons (roughly 9,500 liters) and later received add-on armored cab kits. Many European armies use tankers built on the Rheinmetall MAN HX family, while Russia fields ATZ-type tankers on KamAZ and Ural chassis. AKTAN’s distinction lies in its 12,000-liter load and in a purpose-built armored 8×8 variant with a self-sealing tank rather than an armor kit added after the fact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who builds AKTAN?
BMC builds the 6×6 AKTAN; Koluman builds the Armored AKTAN on the DERMAN 8×8 chassis.
How much fuel does it carry?
12,000 liters, according to SSB.
How many are in Turkish service?
SSB reports 86 tankers delivered, with 41 armored tankers being procured.
Has AKTAN been exported?
No export contract has been made public.
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Featured photo: Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB)
Sources
- SSB Land Vehicles Department project information note, September 2026
- BMC – Logistics Support Vehicles
- Defence Turkey – A Look at the Turkish Land Platforms Sector
- Transmedya – Koluman Armored Aktan contract
- Daily Sabah – Derman makes international debut in UK
- Anadolu Agency – IDEF 2025 vehicle parade
