IDEF 2025: Turkish shipyards showcase new naval platforms

During the 17th International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF 2025) held in Istanbul from 22 to 27 July, several new naval platforms were unveiled and significant agreements were signed. The exhibition proved to be an active and productive event for the Turkish naval shipbuilding sector.

Among the major announcements, STM introduced the new Turkish Fast Attack Craft (FAC) designed for the Turkish Naval Forces, state-owned defence contractor Asfat signed a contract in relation to the construction of Türkiye’s new class of TF-2000 air defence destroyers, while Desan Shipyard presented a new class of coast guard vessel. In addition, Sefine Shipyard shared details about the two fast attack craft – missile (FACMs) it has begun constructing for the Indonesian Navy. Desan also showcased a multi-role combat vessel currently under construction for the Royal Malaysian Navy.

The Turkish Navy currently operates five Doğan/Rüzgar-class FACs commissioned between 1977 and 1988 and nine Kılıç I/II-class FACs commissioned between 1998 and 2010. With the older vessels approaching the end of their operational lives, efforts to modernise this segment of the fleet have gained momentum.

The Turkish Fast Attack Craft Modernisation programme is intended to replace these ageing vessels. Although the project has long been in planning, concrete progress was made in 2020 when STM signed a contract with the Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB) to develop a new FAC. The first steel for the lead ship was cut on 8 July 2025.

This project marks a significant milestone, as the new FACs will be the first major surface combatants in the Turkish Navy designed by a private Turkish company. Until now, the Turkish Navy’s larger combatants have been designed in house by its own design and project office.

According to STM General Manager Özgür Güleryüz, the new FAC design responds directly to the operational requirements of the Turkish Navy. “We will construct the largest and heaviest fast attack craft ever built for our navy, with a high degree of local content and domestically developed weapon systems,” he said.

The vessel will have an overall length of 68 m and a beam of 9.3 m, with a full-load displacement of approximately 700 tons. It will be capable of reaching speeds exceeding 39 kts (72 km/h), with a cruising speed of 20 kts and a minimum operational range of 800 nautical miles (1,482 km). Accommodation will be provided for a crew of 36.

In terms of armament and sensor systems, the FAC will be equipped with a 76 mm main gun, surface-to-surface missile launchers, a point-defence missile system, two 12.7 mm remote-controlled stabilised machine guns and two chaff/decoy launchers. A modern combat management system will be integrated with a three-dimensional search radar to enhance situational awareness and threat engagement capabilities.

Propulsion will be provided by four diesel engines driving four steerable waterjets, supported by three diesel generators to power onboard systems.

One of the most important agreements in the maritime domain at IDEF 2025 was the signing ceremony for the TF-2000 Air Defense Destroyer Project Phase-2. This ceremony was the official start of the construction of the first TF-2000 destroyer for the Turkish Navy.

The TF-2000 is 149 m long, with a beam of 21.3 m, a draft of 5.75 m and a planned displacement of 8,300 tons. The ship’s main propulsion machinery in a combined diesel or gas (CODOG) configuration will propel the vessel to 26+ kts (48+ km/h). In terms of gun armaments the ship will have one 127 mm main gun, two 25 mm remote-controlled weapon stations (RCWSs) and one twin 35 mm Gökdeniz close-in weapon system. The ship will also have two Midlas vertical launcher systems: the first one with 32 cells is located on the B position between the bridge and the main gun; the second one with 64 cells is located midships between the funnels and the main mast. The ship will also have one Levent point defence missile system launcher.

The principal mission of the TF-2000 class will be detecting and destroying hostile low/medium- and high-altitude missiles, including ballistic missiles. The ships will have a 130-150-strong crew and accommodation for 200 personnel. Their range is estimated to be 5,000 nautical miles (9,260 km) at a cruising speed of 18 kts (33 km/h). The ship will have minimum endurance of 45 days without replenishment and will be able to operate for 180 days without support from a home base.

Meanwhile, the Dearsan shipyard displayed a model of the new mine countermeasures vessel that is currently under construction for the Turkish Navy. The project was formally approved by the Defence Industry Executive Committee on 3 January 2024 and a contract between Dearsan and the SSB was signed in August 2024 and entered into force on 4 November 2024.

The vessel is designed as a modern mine warfare mothership. Measuring 80 m in length with a beam of 16.6 m and a draft of 3.5 m, the vessel features a non-magnetic steel hull and superstructure to minimise vulnerability to influence mines. The platform will accommodate a core crew of 60 and can support up to 90 personnel.

The vessel will be capable of deploying and operating a wide range of unmanned systems while remaining outside hazardous minefields. Its propulsion system comprises two electric Voith Schneider propellers (eVSP) driven by three diesel-electric generators.

The ship is configured with two boat bays, each capable of deploying an unmanned surface vessel. These will be equipped with an integrated suite of unmanned underwater systems, including STM Neta shallow-water autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), Aselsan Deringöz mid-depth AUVs and various different types of remotely operated underwater vehicle.

A notable addition to the Turkish Coast Guard fleet is the new 600-ton National Coast Guard Ship. Although originally listed among long-term requirements as far back as 2012, a contract for the procurement of four vessels was signed on 23 July 2025. The vessel will be 68.1 m in length with a beam of 12 m and a draft of 3 m. It will displace approximately 980 tons and will be capable of a maximum speed of 22 kts (41 km/h) and have an economic cruising speed of 15 kts (28 km/h), with an operational range of 2,500 nautical miles (4,630 km). It will be rated for operations up to sea state 7 and accommodate a crew of 60. The first vessel is scheduled for delivery in 26 months.

According to the official statement, these National Coast Guard Ships will undertake various missions, such as protecting national sovereignty rights, preventing illegal activities, deterring maritime threats, search-and-rescue operations, continuous reconnaissance and surveillance patrols, protection of maritime resources, humanitarian aid and disaster relief, while maintaining high operational capability under challenging sea conditions.

On the international front Sefine Shipyard shared specifications of the two FACM-70 vessels under construction for the Indonesian Navy, the keel-laying ceremony for which was held on 17 July 2025. These FACs are designed for multi-role operations, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), anti-surface and anti-air warfare, as well as patrols under adverse conditions such as limited-visibility and nighttime operations.

The FACM-70s are 70 m in length with a beam of 11.8 m and a draft of 2.85 m. They displace 850 tons and can achieve speeds exceeding 40 kts (74 km/h), with a cruising speed of 20 kts (37 km/h) and an endurance of seven days. Their propulsion system comprises two marine diesel engines and one gas turbine, with the diesel engines driving a controllable-pitch propeller each while the gas turbine is connected to a water jet. The vessel will cruise using the diesel engines and add the gas turbine to achieve higher speeds.

The FACM-70s are outfitted with an array of advanced navigation and communication equipment, including navigation radars, differential GPS (DGPS), echo sounder, gyro/inertial navigation system, electromagnetic log, electronic chart system and automatic identification system.

Their armament includes a 76 mm main gun, two quad launchers for Atmaca surface-to-surface missiles, a close-in weapon system and two 12.7 mm Aselsan STAMP RCWSs, supported by a decoy launching system. Sensors include a three-dimensional air and surface surveillance radar, identification friend or foe (IFF) system, radar electronic support measures (R-ESM), electro-optical reconnaissance and surveillance systems,a  fire control radar, and meteorological sensors, all developed by Aselsan.

In another export project, Desan Shipyard has begun building a 99 m Multi-Purpose Mission Ship for the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA). The steel-cutting ceremony for this vessel was held on 9 July 2025, with Malaysian officials participating virtually. The vessel is scheduled for delivery on 20 March 2027 and will become the largest ship in the MMEA’s fleet.

Certified by Türk Loydu, the ship will incorporate high-tech systems developed by Turkish defence companies such as Aselsan and Havelsan. These will include electronic and communication systems, weapon platform, and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Speaking at the steel-cutting ceremony, Desan Chairman Cenk İsmail Kaptanoğlu stated, “This project reflects Türkiye’s maritime and defence industry expertise and will provide the Malaysian Coast Guard with new operational capabilities. It will also deepen the long-term strategic co-operation between Türkiye and Malaysia.”

The vessel will carry one helicopter and two Havelsan BAHA UAVs, which are autonomous, sub-cloud VTOL drones designed for flexible mission profiles. It will also be equipped with two fast intervention boats on stern ramps and four more on davits, allowing the vessel to act as a forward-deployed maritime operations and support base.

The vessel will be 99 m long, with a beam of 17 m and a draft of 4 m, and will have a top speed of around 20 kts (37 km/h).

The vessel’s main armament will be an Aselsan 30 mm SMASH RCWS, with the secondary armament comprising two Aselsan STAMP RCWSs featuring 12.7 mm machine guns.