Turkey increases the number of frigates

The Turkish Defense Industry Command has announced a tender for the construction of the 6th, 7th and 8th class frigates of the Istanbul class, which will be built under the MILGEM program.

The first five ships of this type have been under construction since 2017. The flagship frigate of the TCG Istanbul project is expected to enter service with the Turkish Navy in 2023.

The ships are equipped with radars, electronic warfare systems, 76mm and 25mm cannons, 35mm anti-aircraft systems, torpedoes, mines, 16 Atmaka missiles, UAVs and S-70B Seahawk anti-submarine helicopters.

Earlier it was reported that Turkey is investing in the defense complex and expanding arms production in order to be more independent from NATO.

In June 2021, the Turkish Navy successfully tested the first domestic long-range cruise missile Atmaka. It was launched from one of the newest TCG Kınalıada Ada-class cruisers.

In the latest test, the missile sank an old research vessel and is now expected to replace the US-made Harpoon missile as the Turkish Navy’s standard anti-ship missile.