Istanbul-class frigate

The Istanbul-class frigates are a planned group of four multirole frigates 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.[2] On 19 January 2017, Turkish Navy held a ceremonial steel cut for the lead ship TCG Istanbul (F-515).[3] Istanbul was laid down on 3 July 2017 and launched on 23 Jan 2021.[4][2]

Class overview
Name: Istanbul class
Builders: Istanbul Naval Shipyard
Operators: Turkish Navy
Built: 2017–
Planned: 4
Building: 1
Completed: 1[1]
General characteristics
Type: Multirole Frigate
Displacement: 3,000 tonnes
Length: 113.2 m (371 ft 5 in)
Beam: 14.40 m (47 ft 3 in)
Draft: 4.05 m (13 ft 3 in)
Propulsion: 1 gas turbine, 2 diesels, 2 shafts
Speed:
  • Economy: 14 kn (26 km/h; 16 mph)
  • Maximum: 29 kn (54 km/h; 33 mph)
Range: 6,570 nmi (12,170 km; 7,560 mi) at 14 kn (26 km/h; 16 mph)
Boats & landing
craft carried:		 2 x RHIB
Complement: 125
Sensors and
processing systems:
  • 3D search radar
  • ASELSAN ALPER LPI Surface Radar
  • AKREP (AKR-D Block B-1/2) Fire Control Radar
  • Sonar
  • Combat Management System: GENESIS ADVENT
Electronic warfare
& decoys:
  • ESM: ASELSAN ARES 2N [2]
  • ECM: AREAS 2C [2]
  • Decoy: Aselsan HIZIR Torpedo countermeasures system [2]
Armament:
  • Guns:
  • 1 × 76 mm (3 in) OtoMelara Super Rapid main gun
  • 1 × 35 mm (1.4 in) Aselsan GOKDENIZ dual barreled CIWS
  • 2 × 25 mm (0.98 in) Aselsan STOP autocannon
  • Anti-ship missiles:
  • 16 × Atmaca
  • Vertical launching system:
  • 16-cell (total 64 missiles) MDAS Vertical Launching System:[2]
  • Torpedoes:
  • 2 × 324 mm (13 in) Double Torpedo launchers
Aircraft carried:

History and background
The Istanbul class will be an enlarged version of the Ada class ships (class lead TCG Heybeliada). In comparison to the Ada class the Istanbuls will have an extended foredeck, two 8-cell vertical launch system will be positioned between the superstructure and the main gun.

The Istanbul class has its origins in the Turkish MILGEM project for developing national warships and warship building industry. The program calls for the construction of a warship family in three classes, where all vessels would be designed with high degree of commonality. First product of the project emerged as Ada-class anti-submarine/patrol corvette. The Istanbul class, originally known as the TF-100 class under MILGEM-G designation, belongs to the second development phase, where structure of the Ada class vessel is extended to host multi-role capabilities.

The Istanbul class[5] is an enlarged variant of the Ada class and will feature a slightly larger hull for improved endurance. In addition to retaining the guns, self protection and anti-submarine warfare systems of the Ada class,[6] the Istanbul class will have twice the number of anti-ship missiles[6] and will be equipped with the indigenous MDAS Vertical Launching System,[2] capable of firing HISAR and other missiles, along with other systems for improved multi-role combat capabilities. The experience and technological know-how gained with the Istanbul class will play an important role in determining the design characteristics and the development process of the TF-2000-class frigates, as well as the selection of the systems and equipment which will be used on these significantly larger and more capable warships.

The first ship and nameship of the class, TCG Istanbul, was laid down on 19 January 2017. The fifth and largest modern warship to be both indigenously designed and built in Turkey, it is claimed that at least 75% of its systems will be of indigenous manufacture.[7] Its steel cutting ceremony was attended by Turkish Defence Minister Fikri Işık and senior military officers, including Admiral Bülent Bostanoğlu, Commander of the Turkish Naval Forces.

Construction is expected to take four years and the vessel will be commissioned into service sometime in 2021.[8]

Export versions

Ukraine

In December 2020, Ukraine signed a contract for four frigates. Industry sources say the builder, STM, may have to substitute some American-made parts in the MILGEM project architecture with locally made components due to a recent U.S. decision to sanction Turkey’s procurement agency, the Presidency of Defense Industries.[9]

Ships in the class
Pennant no. Name Namesake Builder Laid down Launched Commissioned Status
F-515 TCG İstanbul [tr] Istanbul Istanbul Naval Shipyard Command 3 July 2017 23 January 2021 N/A Launched
F-516 TCG İzmir Izmir Istanbul Naval Shipyard Command N/A Expected launch in 2022 N/A N/A
F-517 TCG İçel İçel Istanbul Naval Shipyard Command N/A Expected launch in 2023 N/A N/A
F-518 TCG İzmit Izmit Istanbul Naval Shipyard Command N/A Expected launch in 2024 N/A N/A

See also

References
  1. https://twitter.com/defencehublive/status/1344751776151572485/photo/1
  2. "Turkey Launches The Lead Ship Of I-Class Frigates "Istanbul"". Naval News. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  3. "İlk milli fırkateynin yapımına başlandı" (in Turkish). TRT Haber. 19 January 2017. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  4. "KINALIADA Korveti Denize İndirme ve İSTANBUL Fırkateyni İnşa Başlangıç Töreni" (Press release) (in Turkish). Turkish Naval Forces. 3 July 2017. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  5. "Turkish Navy set to build its own frigate". Hürriyet Daily News. 21 December 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  6. Khan, Bilal (19 January 2017). "Turkey Begins Building First Istanbul Class Frigate". Quwa.org. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  7. "Turkey begins construction of first national frigate 'Istanbul'". 19 January 2017. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  8. https://www.defenceturk.net/milgem-i-sinifi-firkateyn
  9. Ukraine to buy Turkish warships, co-produce drones, Burak Ege Bekdil, DefenseNews, 2020-12-21
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