Within the scope of the MILGEM 06-08 Project (2nd, 3rd, and 4th I-class frigates), the first block of the TCG İzmit was drydocked on May 20, 2024, the company announced on its social media accounts.
The first block of the TCG İZMİT was placed in drydock on May 20, 2024, with an equipment percentage of more than 70%.
Selim Bugdanoglu, Defence Industry Projects Manager at Sedef Shipbuilding Inc.
On April 6, 2023, the Turkish Defence Agency (SSB) signed a contract with the TAIS Shipyard and STM partnership to construct the remaining three I-class (Istanbul-class) frigates for the Turkish Navy. These frigates are the 6th, 7th, and 8th ships of the MILGEM project, as the first four ships are ADA-class corvettes and the 5th ship is TCG Istanbul, the lead ship of the I-class frigates.
These three frigates are being built concurrently at the Sefine, Anadolu, and Sedef Shipyards, which are the partners of TAIS. The shipyards will deliver the frigates in 36 months. These three shipyards have previous experience with naval ship projects: Sefine Shipyard is building the Turkish Navy’s DIMDEG fleet oiler and MARLIN USV, Anadolu Shipyard has built amphibious vessels for the Turkish Navy and Qatari Emiri Naval Forces, and Sedef Shipyard is building the Turkish Navy’s future flagship LHD Anadolu.
About I-Class (Istif-class) Frigate
The I-class Frigate Program was launched to construct four 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. These frigates will have around 50% increased fuel capacity and operational/sailing range capability compared to Ada-class Corvettes.
The I-class frigates have the configuration to conduct detection, determination of position, classification, identification, and destruction of the target and NGFS. The frigate is designed to conduct maritime surveillance and patrol operations, inspection, and surveillance of EEZ besides preventing potential threats.
Specifications:
| Length Overall | 113.2 meters |
| Length Waterline | 105.2 meters |
| Beam Max | 14.4 meters |
| Draught | 4.05 meters |
| Displacement | 3,000 tons |
| Maximum Speed | 29+ knots |
| Cruise Speed | 14 knots |
| Endurance | 5,700 Nm at 14 knots |
| Main Propulsion | CODAG (2xMTU Diesel engines + 1xLM2500 gas turbine) 2x shafts and CPP propellers |
| Power Generation | 4 x 560kw diesel generator |
| CMS | HAVELSAN ADVENT |
| Sensor Suit | – Aselsan CENK-S AESA radar – Aselsan ALPER-P LPI navigational radar – 2xAKR-D Fire Control radars – ASELFLIR-300T, PIRI KATS, and AHTAPOT EO systems – FERSAH hull-mounted sonar – HIZIR Torpedo Countermeasures System – Laser warning system – Aselsan ARES 2N (V2) ESM |
| Weapons | – 16-cell MIDLAS indigenous VLS for launching HISAR family of surface-to-air missiles – 4×4 ATMACA anti-ship missiles – Aselsan Gokdeniz CIWS – 76 mm Super Rapid Gun – 2 x 25 mm Aselsan STOP machine gun – 2×3 Lightweight torpedo (MK-46 Mod 5 / Roketsan ORKA) |
