A future Turkish Navy's aircraft carrier. (Picture source: Generated by AI)
Jan 5, 2024. Posted by Balkan
Periscope - Hellas
According
to information published by the Turkish government on January 3, 2023, in
a meeting chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the Presidential
Complex, the Defense Industry Executive Committee convened to discuss the
current status and future goals of Turkey's defense industry.
The committee focused on several key naval projects including the design phase of an Aircraft Carrier and the construction decisions for MILGEM-class frigates (MILGEM 9-10-11-12), open sea patrol vessels, new type landing ships, next-generation mine hunting vessels, and national assault boats.
Highlighting the economic impact, the defense industry marked a record
level of $5.5 billion in exports, a 27% increase compared to the previous year,
with an average export value exceeding $65 per kilogram. The trust in Turkish
Defense Industry products was evidenced by an increase in the number of
countries importing these products, rising from 176 last year to over 185 this
year.
Aircraft carrier project
Turkey's ambition to build an aircraft carrier aligns with its broader goal
to project power in its region and beyond. The Turkish military is already
active beyond its borders, with troops stationed in places like Qatar, Somalia,
Iraq, and Syria.
An aircraft carrier would extend Turkey's ability to project naval and air
power, enhancing its influence in the eastern Mediterranean, Aegean, and Black
Sea regions. This strategic capability is seen as particularly important given
regional dynamics and the naval capabilities of neighboring countries like
Egypt, which owns French Mistral-class amphibious assault ships.
Milgem-class frigates
The MILGEM
project is an indigenous warship program that has been a cornerstone of
Turkey's naval modernization. The construction of the MILGEM 9-10-11-12th
ships, known as the I-class frigates, is a continuation of this project.
The I-class
frigates, like the TCG Istanbul, are designed for a variety of operations,
including reconnaissance, surveillance, and combat. They are equipped with
advanced weapon and sensor systems, such as the indigenous VLS for
surface-to-air missiles, a 76 mm Super Rapid Gun, and the Aselsan Gokdeniz
CIWS. These frigates represent an increased fuel capacity and operational range
compared to the earlier Ada-class corvettes.
Navy Recognition
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