Istanbul-class frigate

TCG Istanbul (F-515) at the Bosporus strait, during the naval parade for celebrating the centennial of the Turkish Republic, October 29, 2023.
Class overview
NameIstanbul class
BuildersIstanbul Naval Shipyard
Operators Turkish Naval Forces
Preceded byBarbaros class
Built2017–present
In commission2024-present
Planned8[2][3]
Building3
Completed1[1]
Active1
General characteristics
TypeMultirole frigate
Displacement3,100 tonnes
Length113.2 m (371 ft 5 in)
Beam14.40 m (47 ft 3 in)
Draft4.05 m (13 ft 3 in)
Installed power4 x 560kw Generator[4]
Propulsion
  • 1 x LM2500 Gas turbine[4]
  • 2 x 5.766HP MTU Diesel Machine[4]
  • 2 x Controllable Pitch Propeller (CPP)[4]
Speed
  • Economy: 14 kn (26 km/h; 16 mph)
  • Maximum: 29 kn (54 km/h; 33 mph)
Range5.700 nmi (10.556 km; 6.559 mi) at 14 kn (26 km/h; 16 mph)[4]
Boats & landing
craft carried
2 x RHIB
Complement123[4]
Sensors and
processing systems
  • Radars: Cenk S 3D AESA search radar, ASELSAN ALPER LPI Surface Radar, AKREP (AKR-D Block B-1/2) Fire Control Radar, ASELSAN PIRI IRST [5]
  • Sonar: YAKAMOS or FERSAH[5]
  • Communications: SATCOM , Link 11/16 ,Link 22 Local Area Network ,Internal Communication System , Underwater phone[4][6]
  • Combat Management System: ADVENT[4]
Electronic warfare
& decoys
  • ESM: ASELSAN ARES 2N[7]
  • ECM: AREAS 2C[7]
  • Decoy: Aselsan HIZIR Torpedo countermeasures system[7]
  • Laser Warning Receiver System[4]
  • Infrared Trace Management System[4]
  • Reconnaissance and Surveillence system : SeaEye-AHTAPOT EO [5]
Armament
Aircraft carried

The Istanbul-class frigates are a group of eight[3] multirole frigates currently being constructed for the Turkish Naval Forces.[9] Developed under the MILGEM national warship program as the I-class frigate, the Istanbul class is an enlarged version of the Ada-class anti-submarine corvette, with enhanced endurance and MDAS Vertical Launching System (VLS) for multi-role capability.[7] On 19 January 2017, Turkish Navy held a ceremonial steel cut for the lead ship TCG Istanbul (F 515).[10] Istanbul was laid down on 3 July 2017 and launched on 23 January 2021.[11][7]

History and background[edit]

TCG Istanbul (F-515)

The Istanbul class has its origins in the Turkish MILGEM project for developing national warships and warship building industry. The program calls for the construction of a warship family in three classes, where all vessels would be designed with high degree of commonality. First product of the project emerged as Ada-class anti-submarine/patrol corvette. The Istanbul class, originally known as the TF-100 class under MILGEM-G designation, belongs to the second development phase, where structure of the Ada class vessel is extended to host multi-role capabilities. Third phase

Design[edit]

Model of TCG Istanbul (F-515)

The Istanbul class[12] is an enlarged variant of the Ada class and will feature a slightly larger hull for improved endurance. In addition to retaining the guns, self protection and anti-submarine warfare systems of the Ada class,[13] the Istanbul class will have twice the number of anti-ship missiles[13] and will be equipped with the indigenous MDAS vertical launching system,[7] capable of firing HISAR and other missiles, along with other systems for improved multi-role combat capabilities. The experience and technological know-how gained with the Istanbul class will play an important role in determining the design characteristics and the development process of the TF-2000-class destroyers, as well as the selection of the systems and equipment which will be used on these significantly larger and more capable warships.

The first ship and nameship of the class, TCG Istanbul, was laid down on 19 January 2017. The fifth and largest modern warship to be both indigenously designed and built in Turkey, it is claimed that at least 75% of its systems will be of indigenous manufacture.[14] Its steel cutting ceremony was attended by Turkish Defence Minister Fikri Işık and senior military officers, including Admiral Bülent Bostanoğlu, Commander of the Turkish Naval Forces.

Construction took six years and the vessel was commissioned into service on 19 January 2024.[15][16]

Export versions[edit]

Ukraine[edit]

In December 2020, Ukraine signed a contract for four corvettes. Industry sources say the builder, STM, may have to substitute some American-made parts in the MILGEM project architecture with locally made components due to a recent U.S. decision to sanction Turkey's procurement agency, the Presidency of Defense Industries.[17]

Ships in the class[edit]

Pennant no. Name Namesake Builder Laid down Launched Commissioned Status
F 515 TCG Istanbul Istanbul Istanbul Naval Shipyard 3 July 2017 23 January 2021 19 January 2024 In service.[18]
F 516 TCG İzmir Izmir Anadolu Shipyard 10 April 2023 Under construction.[10]
F 517 TCG İçel İçel Sedef Shipyard 10 April 2023 Under construction.[11]
F 518 TCG İzmit Izmit Sefine Shipyard 10 April 2023 Under construction.[15]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ @defencehublive (31 December 2020). "Better quality👇" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  2. ^ https://www.defenceturk.net/yerli-ucak-gemimizin-tasarim-asamasi-basliyor
  3. ^ a b Kate Tringham (5 January 2024). "Turkey approves plans for aircraft carrier, additional Istanbul-class frigates". www.janes.com. Janes.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p https://www.savunmasanayist.com/milgem-i-sinifi-firkateyn/
  5. ^ a b c https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/01/turkey-launches-the-lead-ship-of-i-class-frigates-istanbul/
  6. ^ https://www.defenceturk.net/istanbul-firkateyni-envantere-girmeye-hazirlaniyor
  7. ^ a b c d e f g "Turkey Launches The Lead Ship Of I-Class Frigates "Istanbul"". Naval News. 23 January 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  8. ^ https://www.savunmasanayist.com/ssbden-sapan-hava-savunma-fuzesi-mujdesi/
  9. ^ "Turkish MoD Orders Final 3 I-Class Frigates From Private Shipyards". Naval News. 24 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  10. ^ a b "İlk milli fırkateynin yapımına başlandı" (in Turkish). TRT Haber. 19 January 2017. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  11. ^ a b "KINALIADA Korveti Denize İndirme ve İSTANBUL Fırkateyni İnşa Başlangıç Töreni" (Press release) (in Turkish). Turkish Naval Forces. 3 July 2017. Archived from the original on 16 May 2018. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  12. ^ "Turkish Navy set to build its own frigate". Hürriyet Daily News. 21 December 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  13. ^ a b Khan, Bilal (19 January 2017). "Turkey Begins Building First Istanbul Class Frigate". Quwa.org. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  14. ^ "Turkey begins construction of first national frigate 'Istanbul'". 19 January 2017. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  15. ^ a b "MİLGEM: İ (İstif) Sınıfı Fırkateyn". 10 May 2019.
  16. ^ Sabah, Daily (19 January 2024). "Türkiye delivers new ships, sea drone in fresh bolster for navy". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  17. ^ Ukraine to buy Turkish warships, co-produce drones, Burak Ege Bekdil, DefenseNews, 21 December 2020
  18. ^ "Türk Donanması'na dört yeni gemi teslim edildi". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 19 January 2024.