Turkey Receives its First National Frigate, TCG Istanbul

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — A few days ago, the Turkish Navy received three ships and an Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV), all domestically built, including its first national frigate named “TCG Istanbul” with 80 percent localisation.

 The main contractor for the frigate TCG Istanbul is the STM company, and it represents the inaugural frigate designed by Turkish naval engineers.

During the ceremony for the acceptance of these new assets for the Turkish Navy, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed that the country’s naval strength is increasing with the addition of these new vessels.

 “I wholeheartedly believe that we will achieve new successes in the coming period,” he stated in his address.

The newly acquired assets for the Turkish Navy include the frigate TCG Istanbul, the replenishment ship TCG Derya, the logistics support ship TCG Lt Arif Ekmekci, and the USV named MARLIN.

“The frigate TCG Istanbul, a MILGEM-class-Istif frigate, has positioned itself among the five most advanced frigates globally through its design and technology,” said STM’s General Manager, Ozgur Guleryuz.

 

According to observers, the frigate TCG Istanbul is a larger variant compared to the Ada-class corvettes.

 Initially set at 75 percent, the local localization target for the frigate TCG Istanbul was successfully increased to 80 percent by STM, making it the most localized warship in Turkey.

With a total weight approaching 3,000 tons, the TCG Istanbul frigate is equipped with domestically developed electronic warfare systems, Combat Management System, and various other features.

It will also utilize the domestically developed anti-ship guided missile “ATMACA.”

Additionally, it will be equipped with the “GOKDENIZ” Close-In Weapon System (CIWS), 76mm and 25mm cannons, as well as torpedoes.

 

Designed for anti-submarine, surface warfare, and anti-air warfare missions, as well as Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) tasks and early warning missions, the TCG Istanbul frigate features the locally developed Advent Battle Management System by HAVELSAN, MIDLAS vertical launch system, AESA radar “CENK-S AESA,” navigation radar ALPER, and various other systems.

With a speed of 14 knots, the TCG Istanbul frigate can operate up to 5,600 nautical miles.

 For anti-submarine warfare, the domestically produced Turkish frigate is equipped with the SH-70 helicopter and the FERSAH, a “hull-mounted medium frequency active/passive” sonar system.

Turkey plans to build three more Istif-class frigates, TCG Izmir (F-516), TCG Içel (F-517), and TCG Izmit (F-518).

The construction program for Istif-class frigates aims to replace the Yavuz-class frigates scheduled to be decommissioned in the mid-2020s. — DSA

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