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ON NAVAL ASSETS. WE CARRIED strategic infrastructure protection missions. The vessel, which will
OUT SEVERAL DESIGNS AND MADE be able to carry out joint operations with complementary drones,
SIMULATIONS,” said Demir in an will be equipped with the Cirit and L-UMTAS missile systems, man-
ufactured by Roketsan.
interview with Anadolu Agency. “IT HAS [ NAVY ]
BEEN SEEN THAT THE DESIGN OF According to local media, the Turkish navy plans to induct 24
ITS CURRENT FORM CAN EVOLVE new ships, including four frigates, as part of its plans to enhance
IN THIS DIRECTION. THE STUDIES strength and support the country’s rapidly growing defence indus-
try. The Istanbul Frigate (F-515, launched in January this year and
ARE ALSO ONGOING; THE AIM developed under the National Ship Project (MILGEM), is the first
IS TO EVOLVE HÜRJET INTO A frigate and largest warship domestically designed and manufac-
SHIPBORNE AIRCRAFT TO OPERATE tured by Turkey. The warship will be constructed with 75 percent
IT FROM TCG ANADOLU.” indigenous materials while the Ada-class corvettes will be built
with 72 percent of parts made at home by Turkish companies. The
multipurpose frigates and corvettes will be armed by the Atmaca
missile, a high-precision, long-range, surface-to-surface, precision
Going Local strike anti-ship missile made by major defense contractor Roketsan
One of the main elements of Turkey’s plan to that can be used on patrol boats, frigates and corvettes. The mis-
enhance its maritime power is the New Type sile, which has a range of more than 200 kilometres, is a threat
Submarine Project, which involves the con- to targets far outside visual range, will replace US-made Harpoon
struction of six new Type-214 air-independent anti-ship missiles.
propulsion submarines as part of a contract
signed with German ThyssenKrupp Marine Rising International Demand
Systems in 2009. The first of the submarines, The growth of Turkey’s military shipbuilding industry and the tech-
the Pirireis, is expected to enter service in 2022, nological sophistication of weapons produced by Turkish defence
with one submarine expected to enter service companies have attracted the attention of many militaries. With
every year until 2027. The project involves exports of more than 130 military ships to countries such as Egypt,
many of the major Turkish defense contrac- Malaysia, Indonesia. Qatar and Turkmenistan, the country has in
tors, including Aselsan, Havelsan, MilSOFT, and recent years emerged as a viable alternative to other established
Defense Technologies Engineering and Trade military shipbuilding nations. In July 2018, the Pakistan Navy signed
Inc. (STM.) a major contract for the acquisition of four MILGEM-class ships.
The fist corvette is scheduled to be delivered to Pakistan Navy in
In October last year, Turkey unveiled plans to 2023, with the other three will be handed over before 2025. While
launch its first unmanned surface vessel, one two of the corvettes will be built in Turkey, the other two will be
that has a 400-kilometer range and is capable constructed at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works in Pakistan.
of traveling up to 65 kph. The ULAQ, which is In December last year, the Ukrainian Navy signed a deal with Turkey
being jointly built by Turkish companies Ares for the production of Ada-class corvettes in the Okean shipyard
Shipyard and Meteksan Defence, will have at Mykolaiv, Ukraine.
day and night vision capabilities as well as
encrypted communication infrastructure that Another potential project is one involving the Philippines, which is
can be operated from mobile vehicles as well looking to modernize its navy through the acquisition of modern
as sea platforms such as aircraft carriers or platforms with state-of-the-art equipment and combat manage-
frigates. Its unique strengths as well as the ment systems. The service is now in the process of phasing out
extensive use of artificial intelligence (AI) make its legacy assets, some of which are over 50 years old. Sensing an
the vessel capable of being used for ISR, sur- opportunity, Turkish state-owned defense contractor, the Military
face warfare, asymmetric warfare, escort, and Factory and Shipyard Management Corporation (ASFAT), hosted
a delegation comprising key decision makers from the Philippines
during a visit to Turkey. Vice Adm. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo, the
Philippine Navy Chief, told the Philippine News Agency that the
Turkish government had, during the visit, highlighted the country’s
defence capabilities and the cutting-edge technologies that the
Turkish Navy has integrated in recent years.

ASFAT, said Bacordo, is interested in providing capacity and tech-
nology solutions, and participating in acquisition projects for naval
vessels and other defense equipment that the Philippines is plan-
ning to purchase. "Their main selling point is their centuries-old and
proven shipyard capability that guarantees the quality of work and
long-term integrated logistics support."

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