Turkish Navy Commissiones Second Large Patrol Boat

Turkish Navy (TN) has commissioned the second large patrol boat built by Dearsan shipyards in the Tuzla industrial district. Dubbed TCG Karaburun with the naval identifier “P 1201″, the new boat is part of a larger project that covers the construction of a total of 16 of these boats by 2014.

TCG Karaburun will perform a large array of duties including patrolling of Turkish territorial waters, anti-smuggling missions and protection of Turkey’s interests on sea. The ship will operate out of the Foça naval base which also hosts naval commandos.

“Turkey’s interests on sea will be protected via national domestic design and production of the country’s naval assets”,  Turkey’s minister of national defense Mr. Vecdi Gönül said during his speech at the ship’s commissioning event at Dearsan shipyards.

“Turkey’s self reliance in naval systems has reached 70% in a short timeframe. This is something to be exalted. Five shipyards in Tuzla (including Dearsan) are undertaking Turkish Navy projects worth in excess of $2 billion despite the global economic crisis. This clearly shows the government’s support of Turkey’s growing shipbuilding industry.” added the minister.

TCG Karaburun is over 55 meters long, 9 meters wide and has a cruise speed of 25 nautical miles. The ship will be operated by a crew of 34 and include accomodations for 12 more. Armed with a 40mm Oto Melara twin-barrel cannon, a multiple anti-submarine rocket launcher (ASW), two remote controlled 12.7mm machine guns and a set of advanced sensors including night vision and thermal imagers, the ship is capable of performing a large array of missions day and night, or under adverse weather conditions.

Turkmenistan has also placed an order for two ships of this type and Dearsan expects more export orders to follow.

(trdefence)
[mappress]
Source: trdefence, April 21, 2011;