Turkish naval programmes: Status report

Türkiye’s ambition to modernise its armed forces and achieve greater self-sufficiency in defence products is most clearly evident in its naval shipbuilding industry. In January 2025, the Turkish Ministry of Defence announced that 31 warships were in various stages of construction for the Turkish Naval Forces, spanning nine different projects. These projects cover a broad range of vessels, from complex and large platforms like the National Aircraft Carrier (MUGEM) and the National Submarine (MİLDEN) to simpler designs such as fast landing craft tanks (LCTs).

Three key factors drive these naval projects. The first is the ageing fleet of the Turkish Naval Forces. On average, the 16 frigates currently in service have already exceeded their operational lifespans. Moreover, similar concerns relating to ageing apply to submarines and fast attack craft, necessitating a programme of fleet renewal.

The second factor is the aim to become more self-reliant by developing and procuring domestic weapons, sensors, and other sub-systems to keep warships operational and habitable.

The third factor is Türkiye’s strategic vision, which recognises that its future lies in the seas. A strong naval force supported by a robust shipbuilding industry is regarded as being essential for national security and economic prosperity. Exporting warships further strengthens Türkiye’s financial standing, influence, and reputation. The Turkish naval shipbuilding industry has already exported warships to Egypt, Georgia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and the United Arab Emirates.

The MİLGEM renaissance

The renaissance of the Turkish naval shipbuilding industry began with the National Ship (MİLGEM) project. This initiative has led to the development of ‘Ada’ class corvettes, ‘İstif’ class frigates, ‘Hisar ‘class offshore patrol vessels and ‘Ufuk’ class intelligence ships, as well as various corvette-sized warships sold to Pakistan, Ukraine, and Malaysia.

The origins of many of Türkiye’s current shipbuilding projects can be traced back to the MİLGEM project. In 1996, the Turkish Navy sought to procure eight corvettes to replace older coastal patrol and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) vessels. This project set the groundwork for future Turkish Navy warship development by emphasising indigenous design and control over the programme. The first corvette, TCG Heybeliada (F-111), served as a prototype. Initially, the next three corvettes were to be built by private shipyards. However, political considerations ultimately led to all four ships being constructed at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard. Collectively, these ships are known as the ‘Ada’ class in Turkish service.

This model was successfully applied to the ‘İstif’ class frigate programme. The first ship, TCG Istanbul, was built at Istanbul Naval Shipyard, while seven more are being constructed at Anadolu Shipyard (three units), Sefine Shipyard (two units), and Sedef Shipyard (two units). While their details have not been disclosed yet it seems likely that the final four planned ‘İstif’ class frigates will be optimised for ASW roles, as they will be fitted with the DÜFAS low frequency towed sonar system developed by Turkish defence conglomerate Aselsan.

TCG Istanbul (F-515) is 113.2 metres long, 14.4 metres in breadth and has a 4.1 metre draft. Her displacement is approximately 3,000 tonnes. The frigate is essentially an enlarged version of the ‘Ada’ class corvettes, incorporating enhanced multi-threat engagement capabilities and more advanced weapon and sensor systems. Her main gun is a 76mm/62 calibre mounting and her primary offensive weapon 16 Roketsan Atmaca anti-ship missiles. She is also equipped with Roketsan Hisar-D RF anti-air missiles, launched from the domestically developed MIDLAS vertical launch system (VLS). Originally, the ships were to be fitted with the US made Mk 41 VLS, but delays in US approval forced Türkiye to develop its own launcher, impacting the project timeline. Close-range weapons also reflect the importance of indigenous industry, comprising two Aselsan 25mm STOP remotely controlled weapon systems and the company’s Gökdeniz 35mm close-in weapon system (CIWS). This utilises dual 35mm barrels capable of firing at high rates and has its own search and fire-control radar, as well as electro-optic sensors.

Aselsan is also responsible for much of TCG Istanbul’s electronics’ outfit. The main surveillance radar is the company’s Cenk 400-N active array, which is complemented by Aselsan-produced surface search and fire control radars and by its ARES-2N electronic countermeasures (ECM) and AREAS-2 electronic support measures (ESM) systems. Additional onboard systems produced by Aselsan include the Piri infrared search and track (IRST) system, Denizgözü Ahtapot forward looking infrared (FLIR) and Fersah hull-mounted sonar. The combat management system is Havelsan’s Advent.

TCG Istanbul was delivered in January 2024 and good progress is being made with building the series-production ships. The most advanced of these, İzmir (F-516) and İzmit (F-517), were both launched in January 2025.

The TF-2000 air defence destroyer

The Turkish Navy’s next major surface combatant programme is for the TF-2000 air defence warship. Designed by the Turkish Navy, the lead ship is being constructed at Istanbul Naval Shipyard, where the first steel was cut for the prototype vessel in January 2025. The TF-2000 is a next-generation air defence warship designed to detect and neutralise guided and ballistic missile threats while offering robust, all-round naval combat capabilities. Work on this project began in earnest in 2017 after previous false starts, and the design has evolved through several iterations. The current configuration is for a ship measuring 149 metres in length, 21.3 metres in breadth, and with a draft of 5.8 metres. Displacement will be 8,300 tonnes.

The TF-2000 will be powered by a combined diesel or gas (CODOG) propulsion system, which will allow it to achieve speeds in excess of 26 knots. It is to be armed with a 127mm main gun, two 25mm remote-controlled weapon stations, and a 35mm Gökdeniz close-in weapon system. The ship’s air defence capabilities will comprise a 32-cell VLS at the bow and a 64-cell VLS amidships, both domestically produced as part of the MIDLAS project. The vertical launchers will be able to deploy a range of air defence missiles, as well as the Gezgin cruise missile. As external launchers for the Atmaca anti-ship missile have been omitted from the latest graphics of the design, it seems likely that they will be launched from the VLS as well.

A fundamental enabler of the TF-2000 destroyer’s capabilities will be Aselsan’s Çafrad active multi-function phased array radar. Graphics suggest its fixed arrays will be split between the forward and aft masts and superstructure in the TF-2000 to facilitate unrestricted 360° scanning, target detection and tracking without ant visual obstruction. It comprises both S-Band arrays for long range volume search in excess of 450 km and X-Band arrays to perform shorter range search, tracking and target illumination functions. It incorporates non rotating IFF. The CMS will again form part of Havelsan’s Advent series.

The ‘Reis’ and MİLDEN submarine projects

The most strategically significant project amongst the Turkish Navy’s current acquisitions is arguably the MİLDEN submarine programme. Construction will begin once the ongoing ‘Reis’ class submarine project at Gölcük Naval Shipyard is completed.

The six ‘Reis’ class boats are an improved version of the Type 214 air independent propulsion (AIP) equipped submarine. An agreement for their construction was signed with thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (tkMS) in July 2009, entering into effect in June 2011. The first submarine, TCG Pirireis (S-330), began construction in October 2015 and was finally commissioned in August 2024. Delays arose due to Turkish Navy-driven modifications to the design, which included increases to length and displacement, as well as a result of the COVID pandemic.

‘Reis’ class submarines are 68.4 metres long and 6.3 meters wide, making them 3.4 meters longer and 125 tonnes heavier than standard Type 214 submarines. They are powered by two MTU diesel engines and one Siemens Permasyn electric motor with a 3,900 kW output. Their AIP system consists of two BZM 120 PEM fuel cells, each generating 120 kW. The submarines have eight 533 mm torpedo tubes and are armed with Mk 48 Mod 6AT torpedoes and UGM-84A Harpoon anti-ship missiles. Indigenous Akya heavyweight torpedoes and Atmaca anti-ship missiles will be integrated in due course. TCG Pirireis and her sister vessels also incorporate an unprecedented level of participation from indigenous defence companies compared with previous Turkish submarines.

The National Submarine (MİLDEN) project is expected to leverage lessons learned from the ‘Reis’ class submarine programme while incorporating further domestic capabilities. Following the now-proven formula for the MİLGEM project, the Turkish Navy established a MİLDEN Design Office in 2019. This was tasked with developing the future submarine. Subsequently, the first weld for the lead MİLDEN type boat was completed at Gölcük Naval Shipyard in January 2025.

Due to the general secrecy that typically surrounds submarine operations, the Turkish Navy has shared only limited details about the project. Publicly released information suggests that the MİLDEN design is about 80 metres in length and has a surfaced displacement in the region of 2,700 tonnes. The submarine will be equipped with eight 533mm torpedo tubes, capable of launching indigenous weapons such as the Akya heavyweight torpedo, Atmaca anti-ship missile, and Gezgin cruise missile. In addition to these armaments, MİLDEN will utilise a domestically developed navigation radar, as well as a sonar suite that integrates low-frequency flank arrays, bow arrays, and towed arrays to provide comprehensive situational awareness.

The MİLDEN submarine will feature a hull constructed from locally produced HY-100 steels coated with anechoic material, minimising acoustic wave reflection and enhancing stealth in sonar-dense environments. Equipped with diesel-electric propulsion, MİLDEN will incorporate an undisclosed type of AIP system. The submarine is expected to operate at greater depths, carry a heavier weapons load, and remain submerged longer than previous Turkish boats.

The National Aircraft Carrier

The first weld for the National Aircraft Carrier (MUGEN) was also performed in January 2025. According to information shared by the Turkish Navy, the ship will be 285 metres long and 75 metres wide, with a draft of 10 metres and a projected displacement of 60,000 tonnes. This will make it more than twice the displacement of the current largest warship in the Turkish Navy, the amphibious assault ship TCG Anadolu. The dimensions are very similar to those of the British Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers.

The MUGEN will be constructed to a short take-off and barrier arrested recovery (STOBAR) configuration, utilising a ski jump of approximately 12-14°. This configuration is a pragmatic design choice given that it is unlikely that the United States would be willing to provide catapult technology to Türkiye. Furthermore, it will ease the work of Turkish aircraft designers and engineers, as they will not have to reconfigure their planes and landing gears for catapult launching.

Design illustrations show a single island on the starboard side. One elevator is located ahead of the island and a second one aft. The preliminary design shows three possibly take off positions. The shortest one, located in line with the bridge on the centreline is for the TB-3 unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV). The second runs diagonally across the ship from her port side abaft the island to the centreline and is for the Hürjet manned aircraft. An extension to a third take off position on the port quarter is for the Kızılelma unmanned jet aircraft. To land the aircraft there are three arresting wires and an angled deck.

The ship will have a combined gas and gas (COGAG) configuration with four gas turbines. These will probably be GE’s LM2500, as this type of turbines is already used by various other warships in the Turkish Navy. Estimated speed is 25 knots. Since the new design does not show any provision for amphibious operations such as a well deck or ramps for loading and unloading of vehicles, it can be assumed that the Turkish Navy wishes to have a purely dedicated aircraft carrier without any additional amphibious capabilities.

Other programmes

Other significant ongoing projects include those for the ‘Hisar’ class offshore patrol ships (OPVs), new fast attack craft and new mine countermeasures vessels. Of these three projects, the production of the ‘Hisar’ class OPVs is the most advanced, with first two vessels TCG Akhisar (P-1220) and TCG Koçhisar (P-1221) launched from the Istanbul Naval Shipyard in September 2023. The OPVs are based on the proven MİLGEM design but carry less sophisticated electronics and pack a more modest punch. They are armed with one 76mm main gun, and two 12,7mm RCWS. They are, however, also fitted ‘for but not with’ Atmaca anti-ship missiles. The other two projects are still in their earlier stages. The new fast attack craft are worthy of particular mention as being the first combatant project where the Turkish Navy did not lead the project with its own design. Instead, the whole preliminary and detailed design of the vessels was performed by STM, making this project unique.

Conclusion

Türkiye sees its future and its fortunes in the seas, as demonstrated by the emphasis given to its ‘Blue Homeland’ doctrine. [1] To secure these interests, the Turkish Navy aims to achieve a high-tech and modern force structure within the 2035-40 timeframe. This vision for the Turkish Naval forces encompasses not only a defensive role but also the creation of a force structure capable of power projection overseas.

The commencement of construction of vessels under the MUGEM, MİLDEN and TF-2000 projects is in line with this objective. These projects are notable in being technologically challenging and politically ambitious. However, the Turkish naval shipbuilding industry created as a result of the original MILGEM project should now have achieved sufficient maturity to be able to support the navy’s needs by delivering these challenging projects. If successful, delivery of these programmes will ensure that the Turkish Navy becomes both a regional power and an effective global naval force, whilst reinforcing the independence of the nation’s defence industry and thus helping to secure Türkiye’s future.

Devrim Yaylali

Author: Devrim Yaylali is a freelance defence journalist focusing on the Turkish Armed Forces and the militaries of other regional countries.

 

 

Editor’s Note

1. The ‘Blue Homeland’ doctrine was introduced in 2019, signalling a shift in emphasis from Türkiye as a land power towards a greater focus on protecting the country’s maritime zones and interests. The doctrine also has a political aspect in connection with the various maritime disputes in the Eastern Mediterranean.