TEKNOFEST Blue Homeland Strait Crossing (2025)

TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan Strait Passage 2025 is a naval parade held on 24 August 2025 in the Bosporus Strait, Istanbul. The event was conducted under the patronage of the Presidency and hosted by the Ministry of National Defence. As part of the program, nine vessels and one submarine belonging to the Turkish Naval Forces navigated the Bosporus Strait.

TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan passage ceremony, 24 August 2025 - (Anadolu Ajansı)

The naval parade was led by TCG Anadolu, Türkiye’s largest warship. Also participating in the ceremony were the Savaşona yacht, the spiritual legacy of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, frigates, corvettes, assault boats, and the TCG Hızırreis submarine. The naval units proceeded along a designated route through the Bosporus, observed by citizens gathered along the shorelines. The event aimed to showcase the maritime dimensions of Türkiye’s national technology initiative and to introduce naval assets to the public.

TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan passage ceremony, 24 August 2025 - (Anadolu Ajansı)

Preparation Process

In the lead-up to TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan Strait Passage 2025, the Turkish Naval Forces and related institutions carried out extensive preparations. TCG Anadolu, Türkiye’s largest warship, departed from Sarayburnu Port at 07:00 on the morning of 24 August and headed toward the Black Sea approaches, then maneuvered toward entry into the Bosporus Strait at 14:45.

The Savaşona yacht, the spiritual legacy of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, completed its preparations for the ceremony after departing from the Istanbul Shipyard Command port. On the morning of the parade, the yacht picked up 13 students from Sarıyer and arrived at the designated meeting point. Prior to the ceremony, the students were informed about the yacht’s history and restoration process. A passage training program was also conducted aboard Savaşona.

Preparations were also made to involve youth in the event. A total of 250 students, selected by the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the T3 Foundation, boarded TCG Anadolu. Additionally, young TEKNOFEST contestants, children of martyrs, and children residing in love homes were hosted aboard both TCG Anadolu and TCG Savaşona.

TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan passage ceremony, 24 August 2025 - (Anadolu Ajansı)

Participating Naval Assets

Nine vessels and one submarine from the inventory of the Turkish Naval Forces participated in TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan Strait Passage 2025, selected to represent different classes.

• Flagship: Türkiye’s largest warship, TCG Anadolu, served as the flagship of the parade.
• Historic Yacht: TCG Savaşona, the spiritual legacy of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, held a special place in the ceremony. It participated in the Bosporus passage for the first time publicly following its restoration.
• Frigates: TCG Oruçreis and TCG İstanbul were among the frigates participating in the parade.
• Corvette: TCG Heybeliada, one of the corvettes built under the MİLGEM project, took part in the passage.
• Assault Boats: TCG Kalkan and TCG Alanya represented the assault boat class.
• Amphibious Ship: TCG Sancaktar participated in the convoy as a platform demonstrating amphibious operational capability.
• Submarine: TCG Hızırreis was the only submarine participating in the parade.

These units sailed in formation along the Bosporus Strait, observed by spectators on both shores.

Parade Program

TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan Strait Passage 2025 commenced on 24 August at 15:30 and concluded at 18:30. The parade began at the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge on the northern side of the Bosporus, with the fleet proceeding southward along the designated route. The vessels followed the sequence of stops: Sarıyer center, Tarabya, Emirgan, Kanlıca, Rumeli Hisarı, Kandilli, Bebek, and Ortaköy, before passing beneath the 15 July Martyrs Bridge.

At 17:00, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was greeted in front of Dolmabahçe Palace. A naval salute known as çimariva was performed by the ships, followed by a 21-gun salute. President Erdoğan observed the passage from the open area of the Dolmabahçe Working Office.

After Dolmabahçe, the fleet reached the Moda shoreline, then proceeded to the Caddebostan and Maltepe coasts, where the program concluded. Thus, the planned route through the Bosporus was completed.

TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan Bosporus Passage Infographic – (Anadolu Agency)

Participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan observed the TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan Bosporus Passage 2025 from in front of the Dolmabahçe Working Office. As TCG Anadolu, TCG Savarona and other naval units passed in front of Dolmabahçe, a naval salute was performed by the ships and a 21-gun salute was fired.

Following the salute, President Erdoğan held a telephone conversation with Commander of the Navy Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu, stating, “My Minister of Defense, all my Force Commanders, we are collectively greeting you at this moment.” At that time, children aboard TCG Anadolu released red and white balloons into the sky, Turkish flags and TEKNOFEST banners were carried, and a banner bearing the inscription “Mavi Vatan 30–31 August 2025 Istanbul Shipyard Command” and the hashtag #milliteknolojihamlesi was unfurled by young participants.

President Erdoğan was accompanied by his wife Emine Erdoğan. It was reported that Emine Erdoğan chose attire in the color of the Navy, white. Following the salute, President Erdoğan shared on his NSosyal account: “During our Victory Week, inscribed in golden letters in history, we embark on a journey for the Mavi Vatan with our strong and powerful navy.” The shared posts also included commemorative photographs of President Erdoğan and Emine Erdoğan alongside Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak, and other commanders, taken in front of Dolmabahçe Palace.

President Erdoğan greets the ships passing through the Bosporus as part of TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan, 24 August 2025 – (Anadolu Agency)

Official Statements and Invitations

Several official statements were issued before and during the TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan Bosporus Passage 2025. Commander of the Istanbul Shipyard, Rear Admiral Recep Erdinç Yetkin, provided information regarding the restoration of Savarona and the passage arrangements. Yetkin announced that the ceremony would be carried out by a fleet of nine vessels, with scheduled passages along the route at designated times. He also emphasized that President Erdoğan’s directives and Emine Erdoğan’s close oversight were decisive in the restoration process of Savarona.

The TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan Bosporus Passage 2025 was widely publicized through official announcements by state institutions and media outlets.

Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran, in his pre-ceremony announcement, stated that eight ships and one submarine under the command of the Navy would conduct a historic passage through the Bosporus on 24 August at 17:00. Duran said: “Our entire nation is invited to share in these proud moments, taking place under the presence of our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.” Following the ceremony, Duran posted on social media: “The parade held in the Bosporus during Victory Week has once again demonstrated the Turkish Armed Forces’ spirit of independence and their determination at sea. The magnificent passage of the fleet has proclaimed to the entire world the level of Türkiye’s defense capability and its unwavering will to claim the Mavi Vatan. The return of Savarona, which holds a unique place in our nation’s historical memory, to the seas is a symbol that renews our connection with our past.”

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in his official post during the parade, stated regarding the passage of naval units led by TCG Anadolu through the Bosporus: “During our Victory Week, inscribed in golden letters in history, we embark on a journey for the Mavi Vatan with our strong and powerful navy.”

President Erdoğan’s wife, Emine Erdoğan, in her post on NSosyal, highlighted the return of Savarona to active service, saying: “On the occasion of Victory Week, under the TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan initiative, we witnessed an unparalleled pride as our ships, led by TCG Anadolu, embodied the spirit of our nation’s independence. The restoration and return of the Savarona Yat to the seas, fulfilling the spiritual legacy of Atatürk, is a source of special joy for us. I wish our TEKNOFEST youth to always draw inspiration from the protectors of the Mavi Vatan and strive for a stronger Türkiye.”

Before the parade in the Bosporus as part of TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan, Baykar Board Chairman Selçuk Bayraktar addresses journalists aboard TCG Anadolu, 24 August 2025 – (Anadolu Agency)

Selçuk Bayraktar, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Baykar and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Türkiye Technology Team (T3) Foundation, made statements to the press aboard the TCG Anadolu during the TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan Strait Passage 2025. Bayraktar, noting that they were on board the TCG Anadolu as part of the TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan passage, said, "Our ancestor's legacy, the Savarona, is also part of this convoy. It is a convoy of nine vessels, essentially showcasing the finest achievements of our navy. This event is held in conjunction with the August 30 Victory Day. Under TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan, we are also organizing an event where our young people competing in technology are present alongside our competitions."

Bayraktar recalled that after the passage, the ships would proceed to the Istanbul Shipyard, stating, "On August 30 and 31, both the TCG Anadolu and the Savarona will be open to visit by our entire nation. At the same time, our young people who are fighting for Mavi Vatan through technology will showcase their innovations there, as a demonstration of our commitment to preserving Mavi Vatan."

Bayraktar emphasized that registrations for the event can be made through the TEKNOFEST website and that members of NSosyal will enjoy special privileges. He also explained that NSosyal organizes competitions focused on Mavi Vatan. Bayraktar stated that they aim to explain to young people what Mavi Vatan truly means, saying, "Mavi Vatan is not merely about vast expanses of blue water; it is far more significant, at least as important as our land homeland. To convey the sacrifice our ancestors made for it, we have organized this competition."