Turkey launches test and evaluation ship TCG Ufuk

A previously unnamed Turkish Navy test and evaluation ship was launched at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard on February 9, in a ceremony attended by the Turkish president and defense department officials.

The launch ceremony was used to reveal that the future ship would be named TCG Ufufk, with pennant number A-591.

The ship measures 99 meters in length, displaces 2,400 tons and resembles Ada-class corvettes in appearance. It has a flight deck capable of supporting 10-ton helicopters but no hangar facilities. It is expected to be delivered in July 2020.

As noted by Turkey’s Bosphorus Naval News, the ship will be used in intelligence gathering missions, in addition to serving as a test ship.

Preveze-class mid-life overhaul

In addition to launching a new ship for the Turkish Navy, the country’s Defence Industry Directorate (SSB) last week announced it entered into an agreement with an industrial team composed of STM, Havelsan, Aselsan and Asfat for the mid-life upgrade of Preveze-class 209 Type 1400 submarines.

The contract, reported to be worth 512 million lira (approx. $41.5M), will see the joint venture replace or upgrade a multitude of systems on the four submarines which entered service between 1994 and 1997.