Türkiye has launched two new İstif (I) class frigates, named İZMİR (F-516) and İZMİT (F-517), marking a significant milestone in its naval modernization efforts.
The launching of the two new I-class frigates follows the delivery of TCG İSTANBUL, the first ship in the MILGEM İ-class frigate project.
The contract for the construction of three further MİLGEM İstif-class frigates that will serve as sister ships to TCG İSTANBUL has been awarded to the STM Savunma Teknolojileri Mühendislik ve Ticaret (STM) and Anadolu, Sedef, Sefine TAIS Joint Venture (TAİS OG), for which a signing ceremony was held in April 2023.
The ships will be built with over 80% of the local content, according to SSB President Haluk Görgün .
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TAİS OG ve STM İş Ortaklığında, Anadolu Tersanesi’nde inşa edilen MİLGEM 6 – İZMİR (F-516) ve Sedef Tersanesi’nde inşa edilen MİLGEM 7 – İZMİT (F-517) fırkateynleri inşa faaliyetlerinin ardından denize indirildi. Suyla buluşan fırkateynler havuz donatım aşamasına geçti. pic.twitter.com/Q0hfCtmhQE
A contract for the construction of the first vessel in this class, TCG İSTANBUL, was signed in April 2019. The frigate joined the Turkish Navy in January last year, during the official parade held by the Turkish Navy in the Istanbul Strait to mark the 100th anniversary of the country.
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İstif-class frigates are optimized for anti-submarine, surface, and anti-air warfare roles and ISR and early warning missions. They boast a length of 113 meters and a beam of 14.4 meters, respectively. TCG İSTANBUL and the other İstif-class frigates to be built differ from the Ada-class corvettes in their ability to carry and launch homing surface-to-air missiles.
In March 2024, TCG İSTANBUL tested the first national vertical launch system (VLS) MİDLAS. MİDLAS, which has completed sea acceptance tests, successfully fired the HİSAR-D RF missile for the first time. The event marked the first time a national air defense missile was fired from a naval platform using a national launcher.
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Following the launching process, the two new ships of the İstif class have moved to the dry-dock outfitting work.