This article was automatically translated from the original Turkish version.
The idea for the first vessel of the MİLGEM (National Ship Project) was introduced in 1996, and on 15 February 2000, the Executive Committee issued its initial decision, formally launching the National Ship Project.
Of the 12 planned vessels, the first four built under the National Ship (MİLGEM) Project are the ADA-class corvettes, which are currently in the inventory of the Turkish Navy. Starting with the fifth vessel, construction of the MİLGEM İSTİF-class frigates began, and the first of these, the İSTİF-class frigate, is now in service.
Meanwhile, construction of seven additional İSTİF-class frigates is ongoing.
Under the MİLGEM Project, numerous domestic institutions, organizations, and universities are collaborating. For the first time, the entire design, analysis, and integration phases of a warship are being carried out entirely with national capabilities, including the integration of the indigenously developed combat system, GENESİS. The GENESİS Project, also known as the Advanced Combat Management System Production Project, was initiated in 1999 by the Turkish Armed Forces to meet national requirements. All software and hardware components of the system were designed by the Turkish Naval Forces Central Command.
Under the project, integration is being performed for the integrated communication system, electronic warfare system, electro-optical systems, navigation systems, air defense and weapons systems, fire control systems, sonars, and torpedo countermeasure systems. With the MİLGEM Project, significant advancements have been made in areas critical to modern naval warfare, such as signature management and signature reduction. Within this framework, for the first time using national capabilities, systems have been developed that meet contemporary requirements, including advanced gun systems with low probability of detection radars, stabilized machine guns, magnetic signature reduction systems, infrared signature management, and warning systems.
The third vessel under the MİLGEM Project, TCG BURGAZADA (F-513), and the fourth vessel, TCG KINALIADA (F-514), are expected to be delivered within the next three years. In line with the goal of maximizing local contribution, the MİLGEM Project has integrated indigenous systems such as the new Torpedo Countermeasure System (HIZIR) and the Sonar System (KULAÇ), developed by ASELSAN, in addition to the systems installed on the first two vessels.
The ADA-class corvettes are a class of vessels developed for the Turkish Navy as part of the MİLGEM Project. The Turkish Navy has commissioned all four ADA-class corvettes, and new vessels of the same class are being produced for the navies of Ukraine and Pakistan.
TCG Heybeliada (F-511)
The design objective of the ADA-class is to construct a modern coastal combat vessel with comprehensive stealth technology integration, capable of coastal warfare and open-sea patrol missions.
The ADA-class corvettes have a displacement of 2,400 tons, a length of 99.56 meters, and a beam of 14.40 meters. With a draft of 3.90 meters, their propulsion system consists of a CODLOD configuration: 4 × diesel engines and 2 × electricity motors. The vessels have a maximum speed of 24 knots (44 km/h; 28 mph) and a range of 3,500 nautical miles (6,482 km; 4,028 mi).
TCG Büyükada (F-512)
The ADA-class corvettes are armed with one 76mm MKE naval gun, one Aselsan GÖKDENİZ Near Air Defense System, eight HISAR air defense missiles, eight Atmaca anti-ship missiles, four UMTAS missiles, and two ASELSAN STAMP rockets. Additionally, each vessel carries two rigid-hulled inflatable boats and one 10-ton helicopter.
TCG Burgazada (F-513)
When discussing the ADA-class corvettes, it is meaningful to dedicate a separate paragraph to TCG Horizon. TCG Ufuk was constructed on the ADA-class corvette platform as a result of the MİLGEM Project and differs in its equipment configuration from other ADA-class vessels. TCG Ufuk is capable of conducting signals intelligence (SIGINT) and electronic intelligence (ELINT) operations. Additionally, like all other ADA-class corvettes, it features a helicopter platform capable of supporting the launch and recovery of a 10-ton helicopter.
The names and hull numbers of the ADA-class corvettes commissioned into the Turkish Navy are as follows.
The İSTİF-class frigates are a class of frigates developed for the Turkish Navy as part of the MİLGEM Project. These frigates are distinguished by their anti-submarine, surface warfare, and air defense capabilities, as well as advanced intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, target detection, identification, and early warning features.
The first vessel of the İSTİF-class, TCG İstanbul, was commissioned into service in 2023. The İSTİF-class frigates have a displacement of 2,300 tons, a length of 99.56 meters, and a beam of 14.40 meters. With a draft of 4.05 meters, their propulsion system consists of a CODLOD (Combined Diesel-electric Or Diesel) configuration: 4 × diesel engines and 2 × electric motors. The vessels have a maximum speed of 29 knots (54 km/h; 33 mph) and a range of 6,570 nautical miles (12,170 km; 7,560 mi).
The İSTİF-class frigates are armed with one Oto Melara Super Rapid 76/62 mm (F-515) naval gun, one MKEK National Naval Gun 76/62 mm (F-516, F-517, F-518), two Aselsan STOP 25 mm (0.98 in) surface-to-air missile systems, one Aselsan GÖKDENİZ CIWS air defense system, eight HİSAR air defense missiles, eight Atmaca anti-ship missiles, and two ASELSAN STAMP rockets. Additionally, each vessel carries two rigid-hulled inflatable boats and one 10-ton helicopter.
The names and hull numbers of the İSTİF-class frigates commissioned into the Turkish Navy are as follows.
TCG İstanbul (F-515)
Ongoing projects:
-MİLGEM-6 (İZMİR)Anatolia Shipyard
-MİLGEM-7 (İZMİT)Sedef Shipyard
-MİLGEM-8 (İÇEL)Sefine Shipyard
-MİLGEM-9Anadolu Shipyard
-MİLGEM-10Sedef Shipyard
-MİLGEM-11Sefine Shipyard
-MİLGEM-12Anadolu Shipyard
The TF-2000-class destroyers are anti-air warfare destroyers developed for the Turkish Navy. The class, consisting of eight vessels to be constructed by Gölcük Shipyard, aims to enhance the Turkish Navy’s air defense capabilities.
The TF-2000-class destroyers have a displacement of 8,500 tons, a length of 166 meters, and a beam of 21.5 meters. With a draft of 5.4 meters, their propulsion system consists of a CODLOD configuration: 4 × diesel engines and 2 × gas turbines. The vessels have a maximum speed of 28 knots (52 km/h; 32 mph) and a crew complement of 130–150 personnel.
The TF-2000-class destroyers are armed with G-40 Naval version Fortress-U missiles, a 64-cell MILDAS vertical launch system, Traveler (land anti-ship missile), Atmaca (anti-ship missile), a 5″/54 caliber Mark 45 gun, the RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile close-in defense system, a VL ASROC torpedo tube, the HİSAR air defense system, and ASELSAN STAMP rockets. Additionally, each vessel carries one Sikorsky S-70B Seahawk helicopter.
The first vessel of the TF-2000-class is scheduled to enter service in 2027.
The Hisar-class offshore patrol vessel is a class of patrol vessels developed for the Turkish Navy. The Hisar-class vessels were developed based on the ADA-class corvette design and are tailored to perform intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, anti-piracy, protection of maritime resources, establishment of maritime security, humanitarian assistance during natural disasters, and search and rescue missions. A total of ten Hisar-class offshore patrol vessels are planned for the Turkish Navy.
TCG Akhisar (P-1220)
The Hisar-class offshore patrol vessels are armed with one 76mm MKE naval gun, one Aselsan GÖKDENİZ Close-In Air Defense System, eight HİSAR air defense missiles, eight Atmaca anti-ship missiles, four UMTAS missiles, and two ASELSAN STAMP rockets. Additionally, each vessel carries two rigid-hulled inflatable boats and one 10-ton helicopter.
TCG Koçhisar (P-1221)
The Hisar-class offshore patrol vessels have a displacement of 2,300 tons, a length of 99.56 meters, and a beam of 14.42 meters. With a draft of 3.90 meters, their propulsion system consists of a CODLOD configuration: 4 × diesel engines and 2 × electric motors. The vessels have a maximum speed of 24 knots (44 km/h; 28 mph) and a range of 4,500 nautical miles (8,300 km).
The names and hull numbers of the Hisar-class offshore patrol vessels commissioned into the Turkish Navy are as follows.
Ongoing projects:
-ADKG -1 (AKHİSAR)İstanbul Shipyard
-ADKG-2 (KOÇHİSAR)İstanbul Shipyard
-ADKG-3Dearsan/Desan/Özata
-ADKG-4Dearsan/Desan/Özata
-ADKG-5Dearsan/Desan/Özata
-ADKG-6Dearsan/Desan/Özata
The Turkish Type Attack Boat Project Period-1 Contract Design Agreement was signed between the Defense Industries Presidency (SSB) and STM on 31 December 2020.
Under the contract executed by STM as the contractor, activities will be carried out to define the requirements, select the configuration, and perform preliminary design and contract design for Turkish Type Attack Boats intended to eliminate or neutralize hostile elements and ensure the survivability of friendly assets within the operational areas of the Turkish Naval Forces Command.
During the project, design and development activities (Form Optimization, Vessel Structural Analysis, Main Propulsion System, Vessel Electrical System Design, Weapon Configuration) and the associated design package will be developed.
Turkish Type Attack Boat Project
The Turkish Type Attack Boats are designed to perform surface and air defense combat and patrol missions in heavy sea and weather conditions in open waters. The project will proceed in three phases: design in the first phase, construction in the second phase, and final production in the third phase.
Very limited public information is available regarding the specifications of the Turkish Type Attack Boats. However, according to statements by STM Defense, these boats are single-hull vessels powered by gas turbine propulsion systems.
Ongoing projects:
-YTDP-2 (HIZIRREİS)Gölcük Shipyard
-YTDP-3 (MURATREİS)Gölcük Shipyard
-YTDP-4 (AYDINREİS)Gölcük Shipyard
-YTDP-5 (SEYDİALİREİS)Gölcük Shipyard
-YTDP-6 (SELMANREİS)Gölcük Shipyard
The TCG Anadolu, completed under the LHD-class (Well Deck Helicopter Ship) project, is not part of the MİLGEM Project. TCG Anadolu is the Turkish Navy’s new amphibious assault ship and light aircraft carrier, the largest vessel in the fleet and also its flagship. TCG Anadolu is a customized version of the Spanish Juan Carlos I-class amphibious assault ships, tailored to the requirements of the Turkish Navy. TCG Anadolu, scheduled to enter service in 2023, is the largest vessel in the Turkish Navy. It was constructed at the Sedef Shipyard.
The ship’s weapons systems, combat management system, electronic warfare systems, infrared search and track system, electro-optical search system, laser warning system, torpedo defense system, radars, communication systems, navigation systems, and information distribution systems were developed using domestic and national capabilities. Additionally, work continues to equip the flight deck to support the launch and recovery of Bayraktar TB3 SİHA and KIZILELMA unmanned combat aircraft. TCG Anadolu has a displacement of 27,436 tons, a length of 232 meters, and a beam of 32 meters. With a draft of 6.9 meters, its propulsion system consists of a CODLOD configuration: 4 × diesel engines and 2 × electric motors. The vessel has a maximum speed of 21 knots (39 km/h; 24 mph) and a range of 9,000 nautical miles (17,000 km; 10,000 mi).
TCG Anadolu (L400)
The name and hull number of the LHD-class (Well Deck Helicopter Ship) vessel commissioned into the Turkish Navy are as follows.
This massive aircraft carrier, designed by the Naval Forces Command Design Project Office and not part of the MİLGEM Project, is being developed to meet modern defense needs. The vessel is planned to be 285 meters long, 68 meters wide, and have a displacement of 60,000 tons, with a capability to reach a speed of 25 knots. The ship will be equipped with a COGAG propulsion system and a STOBAR aircraft launch and recovery system. Based on visuals released by the Naval Forces Command Design Project Office, the flight deck is sufficiently wide to accommodate multiple aircraft, and the vessel has substantial capacity for SİHAs (TB3, KIZILELMA), jet aircraft the size of HÜRJET, and helicopters. According to the visuals released by the DPO, the flight deck will carry eight KIZILELMA, six HÜRJET, and nine Bayraktar TB3 aircraft, totaling 23 airborne platforms. According to information available online, the National Aircraft Carrier will be able to house 30 different airborne platforms in its hangar. These features will transform Turkey’s first aircraft carrier into a pivotal asset for regional and global naval power projection.
National Aircraft Carrier Project
The published designs of the “National Aircraft Carrier Project” bear similarities to those of the India's First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant (IAC-1), despite the absence of any official connection between them.
-Length: 285 meters
-Width: 72 meters
-Draft: 10.1 meters
-Away match: 60,000 tons
-Speed: 25 knots
-Main Propulsion: COGAG, 4 × gas turbine turbines
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Vessels Under the MİLGEM Project
ADA-class Corvettes
İSTİF “İ”-class Frigates
TF-2000 Destroyer
Hisar-class Offshore Patrol Vessel
Turkish Type Attack Boat
LHD-class (Well Deck Helicopter Ship)
National Aircraft Carrier
Features of the National Aircraft Carrier: