Türkiye Launches Two İstif-Class Frigates, Izmir (F-516) and Izmit (F-517)

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – Türkiye has launched two İstif-class frigates, Izmir (F-516) and Izmit (F-517), developed under the country’s National Warship Development Program for the Turkish Navy, known as MILGEM.

Türkiye plans to build a total of eight İstif-class frigates under the MILGEM program.

“Under the coordination of the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) and in partnership with TAIS and STM, our MILGEM İstif-class frigates, Izmir (F-516) and Izmit (F-517), have been launched into the sea,” said SSB President Haluk Görgün in a statement.

“These frigates, which will be commissioned into the Turkish Navy, will strengthen our maritime independence with national engineering expertise and elevate our defense capabilities to a higher level,” Görgün further stated.

Construction of the fourth İstif-class frigate, Icel, is currently underway.

The İstif-class frigates are being built concurrently at Sefine, Anadolu, and Sedef Shipyards, all of which are partners of TAIS.

Türkiye’s latest İstif-class frigates, with 80 percent locally produced components and technology, follow the commissioning of the first İstif-class frigate, Istanbul (F-515), in January last year.

Izmir (F-516) and Izmit (F-517) are expected to be officially commissioned into the Turkish Navy in 2026 and 2027, respectively.

The İstif-class frigates have a displacement of 3,100 tons, a length of 113.2 meters, and a beam of 14.4 meters.

The İstif-class frigate program was initiated to construct eight frigates to replace the aging YAVUZ-class frigates by the mid-2020s.

Developed under the MILGEM program, the İstif-class frigates are an enlarged and enhanced version of the Ada-class Anti-Submarine Corvette.

These frigates feature a 50 percent larger fuel capacity and extended operational range compared to the Ada-class corvettes.

Key Technical Specifications of the İstif-Class Frigate:

• Overall Length: 113.2 meters

• Maximum Beam: 14.4 meters

• Draught: 4.05 meters

• Displacement: 3,100 tons

• Maximum Speed: Over 29 knots

• Cruising Speed: 14 knots

• Range: 5,700 nautical miles at 14 knots

• Propulsion System: Combined Diesel and Gas (CODAG) featuring 2 MTU diesel engines and 1 LM2500 gas turbine, driving 2 shafts with controllable pitch propellers (CPP)

• Crew Capacity: 123 personnel

Armament:

• Vertical Launch System (VLS): 16 MIDLAS cells for surface-to-air missiles (SAM) like the HISAR family

• Anti-Ship Missiles: 16 ATMACA missiles (4 launchers with 4 missiles each)

• Main Gun: 1 × 76 mm Super Rapid naval gun

• Close-In Weapon System (CIWS): 1 × Aselsan GÖKDENİZ 35 mm system

• Remote-Controlled Weapon Stations: 2 × Aselsan STOP 25 mm systems

• Torpedo Launchers: 2 × triple 324 mm torpedo tubes capable of launching lightweight torpedoes like the MK-46M5 or Orka

Sensor and Combat Systems:

• Search Radar: CENK-400N 4D AESA

• Surface Radar: Aselsan ALPER-200N LPI

• Fire Control Radar: AKREP-300N (AKR-D Block B-1/2)

• Main Gun Fire Control System: TAKS-100/76GFCS

• Anti-Ship Missile Fire Control: ATMACA 100/AFCS

• Air Defense Missile Fire Control: HİSAR 100N/FCS

• Electro-Optical Detection Systems: AHTAPOT-100, PIRI-100 IRST

• Sonar System: FERSAH 100N/MF (hull-mounted)

Aviation Capability:

• Equipped with a flight deck and hangar to accommodate an S-70B Seahawk helicopter or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The İstif-class frigates are designed for multi-role operations, including anti-submarine warfare (ASW), air defense, surface warfare, and maritime patrol and surveillance.

These frigates are also equipped with stealth technology to minimize radar cross-section, enhancing survivability and combat effectiveness in operational environments. – DSA