Turkey Launches 2 Class Istif Frigates: Equipped With ATMACA Missiles To Stealth Technology

JAKARTA - Turkey's naval fleet has again acquired a new warship, this time two Class Istif frigates developed in the MILGEM project equipped with various technologies and weapons, in January.

"The tough guards in the Blue Country meet the sea!" tweeted the Head of the Presidency of the Defense Industry (SSB) SSB Haluk Görgön in a tweet on X, quoted from the Daily Sabah on February 20.

"Under the coordination of our Defense Industry Presidential and TAIS and STM partnerships, our MILGEM ISTIF Class frigates, IZMIR (F-516) and IZMIT (F-517), were launched into the sea," said Görg Zun.

The two warships with local content of more than 80 percent are a continuation of the first ship shipment in this class, TCG Istanbul (F-515).

Turkey's TCG Istanbul frigate entered the inventory of the country's Navy Command at a ceremony held last January.

"After the previous shipment, the TCG ISTANBUL ISTIF Class Fregate (F-515), these national ships will represent the strength and determination of our nation in the world's oceans with local content levels of more than 80 percent and high technology," said Görg Zun.

TCG Izmir is the second Istif-class frigate produced at the Anadolu Shipyard under an agreement signed between STM and TAIS on January 20, 2023.

TAIS was founded by leading shipyard owners in Turkey to offer expert and innovative solutions in the manufacture of naval vessels, while STM (Defense Technologies Engineering) is one of the leading domestic and defense technology contractors.

Weighing 3,000 tons, 113.2 meters (171.4 ft) long and 14.4 meters wide, TCG Izmir and TCG Izmit are the second and third frigates of the Istif class group, while TCG I Badminton (F-518) will be the fourth.

"These ships, which will be used by our Navy, will strengthen our independence at sea with our national engineering knowledge and will bring our defense capabilities to the next level," Görg\"un said further.

Amid a 36-month development contract, the two frigates are planned to be sent to the Navy for the period 2026-2027.

Quoted from Defense Security Asia, this ship is capable of sailing up to 5,700 nautical miles with a maximum speed of 29 knots.

For weaponry, the Class Istif frigate is equipped with a variety of weapons, ranging from the main weapons of 76 mm Super Rapid Naval gun, ATMACA missiles, HISAR air defense missiles to torpedo launchers.

The ship is also equipped with a detached deck and hangar to accommodate S-70B Seahawk helicopters or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Classier Fregates are designed for multi-play operations, including anti-submarine warfare (ASW), air defense, surface warfare, as well as maritime patrols and surveillance.

This frigate is also equipped with stealth technology to minimize radar cross-sections, thereby increasing combat capabilities and effectiveness in the operational environment.