MILGEM project

Last updated
TF-2000-class air defense destroyer TF-2000 class air defense destroyer of the Turkish Navy.jpg
TF-2000-class air defense destroyer

MILGEM project is a national warship program of the Republic of Turkey. Managed by the Turkish Navy, the project aims at developing multipurpose corvettes, frigates and destroyers that can be deployed in a range of missions, including reconnaissance, surveillance, early warning, anti-submarine warfare, surface-to-surface and surface-to-air warfare, and amphibious operations.

Contents

As of 2023, the MILGEM project covers four Ada class anti-submarine warfare corvettes, one ELINT corvette, eight [2] Istanbul-class multipurpose frigates, 10 Hisar class OPVs as well as eight TF2000-class anti-air warfare destroyers destined for the Turkish Navy; four Babur-class corvettes for the Pakistan Navy; and two Ada class corvettes for the Ukrainian Navy.

The name of the project emerged from the phrase "National Ship" in Turkish – Milli Gemi.

History

TCG Heybeliada (F-511), the lead ship of the Ada-class corvettes, in the Mediterranean Sea, September 2, 2014. U.S. Navy Cmdr. Russell Caldwell waves to the Turkish corvette TCG Heybeliada (F 511) from aboard the guided missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) in the Mediterranean Sea during a passing exercise Sept 140902-N-IY142-159.jpg
TCG Heybeliada (F-511), the lead ship of the Ada-class corvettes, in the Mediterranean Sea, September 2, 2014.
TCG Istanbul (F-515), the lead ship of the Istanbul-class frigates, at the Bosporus strait, October 29, 2023. TCG Istanbul (F-515) (cropped).jpg
TCG Istanbul (F-515), the lead ship of the Istanbul-class frigates, at the Bosporus strait, October 29, 2023.

In mid 1990s the Turkish Navy was researching national resources to design, develop and construct a completely indigenous corvette. In 2004, Istanbul Naval Shipyard Command established MILGEM Project Office to execute and coordinate the design, engineering and construction projects.

By developing the MILGEM project, Turkey aimed to build a warship using local resources to the maximum extent possible, improve national military shipbuilding capacity and skills. The objectives for the Ada class were set to enhance the littoral warfare capabilities and to meet the operational requirements of the Turkish Navy. [3] MILGEM project office focused on building a modern littoral combat ship with authentic anti-submarine warfare and high-seas patrol capability, extensively employing low-observable superstructure and intelligence sensors. In 2005, Istanbul Naval Shipyard Command commenced the construction works of the first vessel of MILGEM project, TCG Heybeliada.

In 2014, Turkish defense technology and engineering company STM was selected as a subprime contractor for the construction of remaining Ada-class vessels. More than 50 local suppliers, including Turkish defense companies like ASELSAN and HAVELSAN played significant role in developing local subcomponents for command-and-control and electronic battle management system [4]

Characteristics

The ships are driven by a RENK CODAG Cross Connect propulsion plant. It consists of a gas turbine rated at 23,000 kilowatts (31,000 hp) and two diesel engines rated at 4,320 kW (5,790 hp). Each diesel engine drives one controllable pitch propeller via a two speed main reduction gear. The cross connect gear splits the power from the gas turbine via both main reduction gears to the two shafts. The ship can be operated in diesel mode, in single gas turbine mode or in CODAG mode where diesel and gas turbine are providing a combined power of 27,640 kW (37,070 hp).

GENESIS (Gemi Entegre Savaş İdare Sistemi, i.e. Ship Integrated Combat Management System), a network-centric combat management system developed by HAVELSAN and originally used in the upgraded G-class frigates of the Turkish Navy, was contracted for the first two Ada-class corvettes on May 23, 2007. [5] [6] The MILGEM ships have a national hull mounted sonar developed by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey. [7] Sonar dome has been developed by STM's subcontractor ONUK-BG Defence Systems, extensively employing nano-enhanced fiber reinforced polymer. [8] The Ada class features an electronic chart precise integrated navigation system (ECPINS) supplied by OSI Geospatial. [9] Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS), delivered by STM's subcontractor Yaltes JV, monitors and controls machinery, auxiliary systems, electrical power generation and distribution. The main systems integrated in IPMS include a power management system, fire detection system, fire fighting and damage control system, CCTV system and stability control system. [10]

Ships

Hisar-class offshore patrol vessel

Under the Offshore Patrol Vessel Project, initiated to meet the needs of the Turkish Naval Forces, the construction of ten offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) is planned. The first ship is scheduled to be launched in 2023. Developed as a variant of the MİLGEM-class corvettes, the Hisar class patrol ships has been redesigned with a different main propulsion system and a different structural and general layout concept, allowing it to be built in a shorter time and at a lower cost.

The primary missions of the OPVs to be built are intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), search and rescue (SAR), counterterrorism, maritime interdiction operations (MIO), and maritime special operations. Other missions include naval air operations, electronic and acoustic warfare, land bombardment, defense against asymmetric threats, maritime traffic protection, and support and training for amphibious operations.

The Hisar-class patrol ships is being built using the "fitted for but not with" concept, which allows for the integration of newly developed indigenous weapon and sensor systems. The OPV, which can accommodate a total of 104 people, will have a range of 4,500 nautical miles (8,300 km; 5,200 mi) with its CODELOD (COmbined Diesel-eLectric Or Diesel) main propulsion system.

Ada-class corvette

The Ada class is a class of anti-submarine corvettes developed primarily for the Turkish Navy during the first stage of the MILGEM project. The Turkish Navy has commissioned all four Ada-class corvettes. The design objective of the Ada class was to build a modern littoral combat ship, with national anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and high-seas patrol capabilities, while extensively using the principles of low observable technology in its design. [11]

Istanbul-class frigate

The Istanbul-class Frigate Program was launched to construct eight [2] frigates to replace aging Yavuz-class frigates in the mid-2020s. Developed under the MILGEM indigenous warship program, the Istanbul class is an enlarged variant of the Ada-class anti-submarine corvette. The Istanbul-class frigates will have around 50% increased fuel capacity and operational/sailing range capability compared to Ada-class corvettes.

The Istanbul-class frigates have the configuration to conduct detection, determination of position, classification, identification, and destruction of the target and NGFS. The frigates are designed to conduct maritime surveillance and patrol operations, inspection, and surveillance of exclusive economic zone besides preventing potential threats.

TF-2000-class destroyer

The planned eight multi-mission TF2000-class destroyers are able to conduct anti-aircraft warfare (AAW) with SİPER and Sapan surface-to-air missiles; tactical land strikes with Gezgin cruise missiles; ASW with towed array sonar, anti-submarine rockets, and ASW helicopters; and anti-surface warfare (ASuW) with Atmaca missiles. [12]

Pakistani MILGEM project

The Babur-class corvette, also known as the PN MILGEM class, is a class of four heavy corvettes under construction for the Pakistan Navy. This class is a subclass of the Turkish MILGEM project. The corvette class is heavier and larger than the Turkish Ada-class corvette and are also equipped with a vertical launch system.

Submarines

MILDEN project

The MILDEN project is a multi-year military design and procurement project to develop indigenous air-independent power attack submarines, intended to be commissioned into the Turkish Navy in the 2030s. MILDEN is being designed in the Gölcük Naval Shipyard, where concept design was completed in 2022, and the "preliminary design phase, in which the main and auxiliary systems [will be] elaborated in detail" began in September 2022. [13]

As of August 2022, Turkey planned to start construction of the first submarine in 2025. MILDEN is a diesel-electric submarine of approximately 2,700 tonnes displacement, and somewhat over 80 metres (260 ft) in length. [13]

Export

According to a CNN Türk news report on September 27, 2008, the navies of Canada, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Ukraine and a number of South American countries have expressed interest in acquiring MILGEM project warships. [14] [15]

Pakistan

On 5 July 2018, Pakistani military's ISPR announced that a Turkish firm has won the tender to build four MILGEM corvettes for the Pakistan Navy. Turkish defence minister, Nurettin Canikli, described the deal as “the largest defense export of Turkey in one agreement.” [16]

By September 2018, some details have emerged that corvettes for Pakistan Navy will have CODAD propulsion system instead of CODAG, thus increasing the sea endurance from 10 to 15 days. Further, the first vessel is planned to be constructed in 54 months and the remaining vessels will be constructed in 60, 66 and 72 months, respectively. [17]

The Babur-class corvettes will be one of the most technologically advanced surface platforms of the Pakistan Navy fleet. Keel Laying ceremony of third PN MILGEM-class warship was held. The warship will complete in 2024. [18] [19]

Coinciding with the commissioning ceremony of TCG Kınalıada attended by Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, steel cutting ceremony for the first MILGEM ship for the Pakistan Navy was also held there on 29 September 2019. [20] The first Pakistani vessel named PNS Babur was launched on 15 August 2021. [21] On 8 November 2021, Pakistan held keel-laying ceremony for fourth and final MILGEM corvette for the Pakistan Navy. [22]

Ukraine

In December 2020, the Ukrainian Navy signed a deal with Turkey's Presidency of Defense Industries for the production of Ada-class corvettes in the Okean shipyard at Mykolaiv, Ukraine. [23] In August 2022, the name of the first ship was announced as Hetman Ivan Mazepa after Hetman Ivan Mazepa. [24]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corvette</span> Small warship

A corvette is a small warship. It is traditionally the smallest class of vessel considered to be a proper warship. The warship class above the corvette is that of the frigate, while the class below was historically that of the sloop-of-war.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turkish Naval Forces</span> Naval warfare service branch of the Turkish Armed Forces

The Turkish Naval Forces, or Turkish Navy, is the naval warfare service branch of the Turkish Armed Forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stealth ship</span> Ship which uses stealth technology to reduce risk of detection

A stealth ship is a ship that employs stealth technology construction techniques in an effort to make it harder to detect by one or more of radar, visual, sonar, and infrared methods.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers</span> Indian shipbuilders in Kolkata

Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd, abbreviated as GRSE, is one of India's leading shipyards, located in Kolkata. It builds and repairs commercial and naval vessels. GRSE also builds export ships.

Type 037 corvette Submarine chaser class of the Peoples Liberation Army Navy

The Type 037 corvette is a series 400–500 ton corvette type classes in service with the People's Liberation Army Navy. Unlike western navies, the People's Liberation Army Navy does not have dedicated patrol boats in its inventory. Instead, a large variety of corvette type classes, in the form of missile boats and submarine chasers fulfill the tasks of patrolling China's territorial waters. The Egyptian Navy operates eight vessels.

<i>Kamorta</i>-class corvette Anti-submarine warfare stealth corvettes of the Indian Navy

The Kamorta-class corvettes or Project 28 are a class of anti-submarine warfare stealth corvettes currently in service with the Indian Navy. Built at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, they are the first anti-submarine warfare stealth corvettes to be built in India. Project 28 was approved in 2003, with construction of the lead ship, INS Kamorta commencing on 12 August 2005. All of the four corvettes, INS Kamorta, INS Kadmatt, INS Kiltan and INS Kavaratti were commissioned in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2020 respectively.

<i>Holland</i>-class offshore patrol vessel Four ocean-going patrol vessels constructed for the Royal Netherlands Navy

The Holland-class ocean-going patrol vessels are a class of four ocean-going patrol vessels constructed for the Royal Netherlands Navy. They are designed to fulfill patrol and intervention tasks against lightly armed opponents, such as pirates and smugglers, but have much higher level electronic and radar surveillance capabilities which are used for military stabilization and security roles, short of outright war. Without sonar or long range weapons, they utilize the surveillance capabilities of the Thales integrated mast, which integrates communication systems and two four-faced phased arrays for air and surface search.

Gowind-class design French multi-role ship design

The Gowind design is a family of steel monohull frigates, corvettes and offshore patrol vessels developed since 2006 by France's Naval Group, formerly known as DCNS, to conduct missions in the littoral zone such as anti-submarine warfare (ASW). The Gowind family includes vessels with lengths from 85 to 111 metres and displacement from 1,000 tons to 3,100 tons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works</span> Shipyard in Karachi, Pakistan

The Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works Limited is a major defence contractor and shipbuilding company situated in the West Wharf in Karachi, Sindh in Pakistan.

TCG <i>Heybeliada</i> Turkish lead ship of Ada-class corvettes

TCG Heybeliada is the lead ship of the Ada-class ASW corvettes of the Turkish Navy. Heybeliada was named after Heybeliada Island, where the Turkish Naval High School is located. Heybeliada Island is part of the Prince Islands archipelago in the Sea of Marmara, to the southeast of Istanbul.

Istanbul Naval Shipyard, also known as Pendik Naval Shipyard, is a naval shipyard of the Turkish Navy on the northeastern coast of the Sea of Marmara in Tuzla, Istanbul, Turkey. It is the largest shipbuilding facility in Turkey.

Type 056 corvette Class of guided missile light frigates fielded by the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Navy

The Type 056 corvette is a class of warship deployed by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). They replace older patrol craft and some of the Type 053H frigates. The first Type 056 entered service in March 2013, and 22 ships were built to this model.

Ada-class corvette Turkish anti-submarine ships

The Ada class is a class of anti-submarine corvettes developed primarily for the Turkish Navy during the first stage of the MILGEM project. The Turkish Navy has commissioned all four Ada-class corvettes.

<i>Istanbul</i>-class frigate I Class, Istif Class

The Istanbul-class frigates are a group of eight multirole frigates currently being constructed for the Turkish Naval Forces. 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. On 19 January 2017, Turkish Navy held a ceremonial steel cut for the lead ship TCG Istanbul. Istanbul was laid down on 3 July 2017 and launched on 23 January 2021.

TCG Kınalıada (F-514) is the fourth ship of the Ada-class ASW corvettes of the Turkish Navy. Kınalıada was named after Kınalıada Island, a part of the Princes' Islands archipelago in the Sea of Marmara, to the southeast of Istanbul, Turkey.

TCG <i>Burgazada</i>

TCG Burgazada (F-513) is an Ada-class ASW corvette of the Turkish Navy, built as the third combat ship of the MILGEM project. Burgazada was named after Burgazada Island, which is part of the Prince Islands archipelago in the Sea of Marmara, to the southeast of Istanbul.

The Babur-class corvette, also known as the PN MILGEM class, is a class of four heavy corvettes under construction for the Pakistan Navy. This class is a subclass of the Turkish MILGEM project. The corvette class is heavier and larger than the Turkish Ada-class corvette and are also equipped with VLS.

Ukrainian corvette <i>Hetman Ivan Mazepa</i> Ukrainian Ada-class Corvette

Hetman Ivan Mazepa (F211) is an Ada-class anti-submarine corvette of the Ukrainian Navy currently in the process of fitting out. The ship is named after Ivan Mazepa, a Ukrainian Cossack leader who turned against the Tsardom of Russia of Peter the Great and joined the side of Charles XII of Sweden during the Swedish Invasion of Russia.

The HDP-2200 Future Offshore Patrol Vessel is a class of six (6) offshore patrol vessels designed and built by Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) for the Philippine Navy.

References

  1. ↑ Tayfun Özberk (25 August 2021). "IDEF 2021: Turkey Full Steam Ahead with TF-2000 Air Defense Destroyer Project". navalnews.com.
  2. 1 2 Kate Tringham (5 January 2024). "Turkey approves plans for aircraft carrier, additional Istanbul-class frigates". www.janes.com. Janes.
  3. ↑ Acquisition of Design Services and Platform Construction and Outfitting Equipment for MILGEM Project Prototype Ship and Second Ship, SSM, Turkey, Retrieved 6 December 2010
  4. ↑ Today's Turkey's MILGEM to build military ships for Pakistan, Zaman, 29 November 2008
  5. ↑ MILGEM Project, GENESIS Combat Management System Archived 2009-04-24 at the Wayback Machine , Havelsan, Retrieved 6 December 2010
  6. ↑ Havelsan advances MILGEM integration, Jane's IDEX 2011 exhibition news, Retrieved 25 February 2011
  7. ↑ Indigenous Sonar Wet-End System Production and Integration Project, SSM, Turkey
  8. ↑ MİLGEM Corvette Sonar Dome Archived 2012-01-17 at the Wayback Machine , Onuk-BG Defence Systems, Turkey
  9. ↑ OSI Geospatial Selected by the Turkish Navy to Provide W-ECPINS for the MILGEM Corvette New Build Program Archived 2012-03-15 at the Wayback Machine , OSI Geospatial News Release, 4 June 2009
  10. ↑ YALTES MILGEM IPMS Project, Yaltes JV, Retrieved 6 December 2010
  11. ↑ Patrol and Anti-Submarine Warfare Ship (MILGEM- Milli Gemi – National Ship) Project, SSM, Turkey
  12. ↑ Kurunç, Kamer (October 14, 2022). "From Atak To TF-2000: 100 Years Of Turkish Naval Shipbuilding" (in Turkish). oryxspioenkop.
  13. 1 2 Ozberk, Tayfun (30 August 2022). "First Details On Turkiye's Future MILDEN Submarine". Naval News . Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  14. ↑ ""Milli gemiler" denize indirildi CNNTurk.com". Archived from the original on 2014-05-25. Retrieved 2014-05-11.
  15. ↑ (in Turkish) News video of TCG HEYBELİADA being put to sea, CNN Türk TV, 27 September 2008
  16. ↑ "Turkish Firm Wins Tender to Build Four Corvettes for Pakistan Navy". www.defenseworld.net. Retrieved 2018-07-05.
  17. ↑ "T129 ATAK Helicopters and ADA Class Corvettes Sale to Pakistan". www.defenceturkey.com. Retrieved 2018-09-11.
  18. ↑ "Keel laying ceremony of Pakistan Navy's MILGEM class warship held". The Express Tribune. 2020-10-25. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  19. ↑ APP (2021-01-24). "Erdogan launches welding of 3rd Milgem warship being constructed for Pakistan Navy". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2021-01-24.
  20. ↑ "Turkey commissions final Ada-class corvette Kinaliada". NavalToday. 30 September 2019. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
  21. ↑ "Turkish Shipyard launches the first PN MILGEM-class corvette for Pakistan". Naval Post. 15 August 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  22. ↑ GDC (2021-11-07). "Pakistan Held Keel-laying Ceremony For Fourth MILGEM Corvette". Global Defense Corp. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
  23. ↑ AA, DAILY SABAH WITH (2020-12-22). "Turkey-made Ukrainian navy corvettes to be built in Okean shipyard". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
  24. ↑ Ozberk, Tayfun (2022-08-19). "Ukraine names its 1st Milgem corvette 'Hetman Ivan Mazepa'". Naval News. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.