MiLGEM I Class Frigate Project 

TCG İstanbul (F-515)

A contract for the construction of the fifth MİLGEM ship (TCG İstanbul (F-515)) – the first ship in the MİLGEM İstif-Class frigate project, which is phase-II of the MİLGEM Ada-Class corvette project – was signed on 12 April, 2019 between our company and the Defence Industry Agency (SSB). 

As the first Turkish frigate to be designed by Turkish engineers, TCG İstanbul (F-515) has a different structure to that of the ADA-class corvettes. Significant momentum is being witnessed in the sector that is no more apparent than in the high rate of indigenousness in the weapon systems being integrated.

An indigenousness rate of 75 percent is targeted for TCG İstanbul (F-515). The domestic producers and suppliers that have been brought together for the MİLGEM project are responsible for two-thirds of the volume in the contract, with

80 subcontractor companies working on more than 150 systems in the İstif-Class frigate project, although a total of 220 different firms are involved. İstif-Class frigates are optimised for anti submarine, surface and anti air warfare roles and ISR and early warning missions. The length of the National Frigate has been extended by 10 meters due to changes in the weapon systems and other additions, and the structure of the ship has also been adjusted.

The planned length and beam of the indigenous and national frigate TCG İstanbul (F-515) being built under the MİLGEM National Corvette Project, are 113 meters and 14.4 meters, respectively. TCG İstanbul (F-515) and the other İstif-Class frigates to be built will differ from the ADA-class corvettes in their ability to carry and launch homing surface-to-air missiles.

Once the MİLGEM Project has been concluded, the national frigates and other ships that are currently in production will be equipped with a national electronic warfare system with a 75 percent indigenousness rate, as well as a new-generation national combat management system. The vessels will also be equipped with improved weapons, radars and sensors, as well as advanced communication and navigation systems.

The supply of construction materials, and the preparation of design documents and workmanship drawings of the ship that is under construction at Istanbul Shipyard Command, are among the main duties of STM. STM is also carrying out all integrated logistic support activities, and is responsible for the supply, testing and integration of all weapon systems, electronic systems and the main propulsion system.

TCG İstanbul (F-515) was launched on 23 January, 2021. After the rigging of the ship has been completed in the dry dock, harbor acceptance tests and sea acceptance tests will begin in June 2023, with delivery of the vessel to Turkish Naval Forces Command (TNFC) scheduled for 2023, on the 100th anniversary of the foundation of our Republic.

Contract for the Supply of MİLGEM Ships 6, 7 and 8

The contract for the construction of three further MİLGEM İstif-Class frigates that will serve as sister ships to TCG İstanbul – Turkey's first national frigate and the fifth vessel in the MİLGEM programme – has been awarded to the STM Savunma Teknolojileri Mühendislik ve Ticaret A.Ş. and Anadolu, Sedef, Sefine TAIS Joint Venture (TAİS OG), for which a signing ceremony was held on 6 April, 2023 at the SSB headquarters.

The STM-TAİS JV is planning to build the İstif-Class frigates simultaneously at the Anadolu, Sedef and Sefine shipyards, and deliveries are currently scheduled for 36 months. The three ships will be equipped with such national solutions as Gökdeniz, a close-in weapon system; Cenk-S, a three-dimensional search radar; Akrep, a fire control radar, illuminating radar and torpedo tube; MİDLAS, a National Vertical Launch System; and national solutions such as Hisar-D.