Turkey integrated new maritime platforms, including its inaugural sea drone equipped with electronic warfare capabilities, as part of ongoing efforts to enhance its naval forces.
The new platforms including the replenishment combat support ship TCG Derya, TCG Istanbul frigate, TCG Lt. Arif Ekmekçi logistics support ship, and the armed unmanned surface vessel (AUSV) Marlin Sida were delivered during a ceremony in the northwestern Yalova province.
Turkish president President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was the chief guest at the ceremony on January 19, 2024. “Today, we are not only delivering ships but also our navy‘s first unmanned surface vehicle with electronic warfare capability in the world,” President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told the ceremony at the Sefine Shipyard.
“Our naval strength is increasing with our ships. I wholeheartedly believe that we will achieve new successes in the coming period,” Erdoğan said.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Turkish President highlighted the significance of production by the defense industry.
“We have reached a localization rate of up to 80 percent in our projects. We not only carry out the construction and rough workmanship of the ships. We are also able to produce the sensors, payloads, weapons and ammunition needed in all ships built locally and domestically,” Erdogan said.
Attending the ceremony with President Erdoğan were Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, President of Defense Industry Agency (SSB) Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün, Commander of the Turkish Naval Forces Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu, and Özgür Güleryüz, the General Manager of STM, which is the main contractor of the TCG Istanbul project.
Speaking at the ceremony, Özgür Güleryüz stated that “TCG Istanbul and Milgem İstif-class frigates have taken their place among the five most advanced frigates in the world thanks to their design and technologies. The targeted localization rate for the Istanbul Frigate was 75 percent, – a figure that we managed to increase to 80 percent.”
Four new naval platforms
Turkish navy took delivery of these four locally made ships:
- Turkiye’s first indigenous frigate TCG Istanbul (F-515)
- Replenishment and combat support ship TCG Derya (A-1590)
- Logistics support ship TCG ÜTGM Arif Ekmekçi
- Armed unmanned surface vessel Marlin Sida
Turkish Navy bolsters its fleet with 4 new indigenous vessels, including the first home-grown frigate. President @RTErdogan said the country’s defense industry has reached an 80% localization rate ⚓️🚢 @tcsavunma https://t.co/Zdx3CdgTBO pic.twitter.com/NkumPw82ke
— IRIA (@IRIA_Research) January 22, 2024
TCG Istanbul
TCG Istanbul (F-515) is Turkiye’s second-largest vessel, following TCG Anadolu, a multipurpose amphibious assault ship commissioned in April 2023.
TCG Istanbul is the first ship in the MİLGEM İstif-Class frigate project, the second phase of the MİLGEM Ada-Class corvette project. İstif-Class frigates are optimized for anti submarine, surface and anti air warfare roles and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and early warning missions.
The country’s national frigate will serve as an important deterrent for Turkish Navy owing to its national electronic warfare systems, new generation national combat management system and improved weapon, radar and sensor systems, and advanced communication and navigation systems.
“One of the integrated systems on TCG Istanbul is the national vertical launch missile system,” Erdoğan said at the ceremony.
TCG Derya
Replenishment & logistics ship TCG Derya which establishes Turkey as one of the few nations with a domestically built aircraft carrier, featuring an air wing primarily composed of unmanned aircraft.
“With the commissioning of TCG Derya, the rapid refueling and replenishment of essential supplies, such as fuel and water, for combat units will be ensured,” said Erdoğan.
“The fueling and water needs of combat elements will be easily met in areas close to the operational zone, contributing to the operational efficiency of the fleet.”
TCG UTGM Arif Ekmekçi
Logistics support ship TCG ÜTGM Arif Ekmekçi that will cater to the fuel, fresh water, and food requirements of combat elements. It will strengthen the supply and logistics capabilities of the Turkish Naval Forces through its abilities to replenish fuel at sea, and to carry tons of liquid and solid cargoes, with a range of 9,500 nautical miles.
TCG UTGM Arif Ekmekçi (A-575), the second ship of the project to the Turkish Navy, is named after SAT Commando Lieutenant Senior Grade Arif Ekmekçi who lost his life in the line of duty.
Marlin Sida
Armed unmanned surface vessel Marlin Sida, named after a swift open-sea fish species. It boasts a speed of 36 knots, excelling in maneuverability and mission performance, even in rough sea conditions.
Approximately 15 meters (49 feet) long, the Marlin autonomous surface platform will be capable of performing intelligence, reconnaissance, surveillance, surface warfare, electronic support and electronic attack missions.