DEFENSE NEWS - Turkish Naval Military Projects: a rapidly expanding field

When discussing Türkiye’s defense industry today, attention is generally focused on ASELSAN, at most ROKETSAN and TAI, BAYKAR with its TB2 and KIZILELMA drones, and to a lesser extent the purchase of 20 EUROFIGHTER fighter-bombers and the sale of HÜRJET training aircraft to Spain. Yet there are other projects just as significant, notably naval military programs. Indeed, Türkiye is currently building—across all stages of development—a total of 46 military vessels: 34 for its own Navy and 12 for export.

The 34 vessels intended for the Turkish Naval Forces include: the national aircraft carrier (Milli Uçak Gemisi, MUGEM); 6 (out of 10 planned) HİSAR-class offshore patrol vessels (Açık Deniz Karakol Gemisi, ADKG); 7 İSTİF-class frigates (the TCG İSTANBUL, the first of 8 planned, is already in service); 7 new-type landing craft (Yeni Tip Çıkarma Aracı) out of 8 planned (the first, Ç-159, was delivered in mid-December last year); a training ship (Okul Gemisi); the first TEPE-class frigate (TEPE Sınıfı Muhrip, better known as TF-2000) out of 4 planned at this stage; the first national submarine (Milli Denizaltı, MİLDEN) out of 6 planned; 4 new-type submarines (Yeni Tip Denizaltı Projesi, YTDP) out of 6 planned as well (following the TCG PİRİREİS, the TCG HIZIRREİS was delivered in mid-December last year); the first next-generation mine countermeasure vessel (Yeni Nesil Mayın Avlama Gemisi) out of 4 planned; the first national fast attack craft (Milli Hücumbot), with for now a single prototype under study; and 4 coastal tugboats (Kıyı Römorkörü).

As for the 12 vessels intended for export, these include: 2 MİLGEM-program corvettes for Ukraine; 2 offshore patrol vessels and 2 fast attack craft for Nigeria; 3 MİLGEM-program corvettes for Malaysia; one HİSAR-class offshore patrol vessel for Romania; and 2 at-sea replenishment and logistical support ships for Portugal.

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Article written by Patrice MOYEUVRE, General Officer in 2s of the French Air and Space Force, researcher at IRIS and Director of defense and security projects within Advantis.