Turkey Launches TCG Icel Frigate For Reconnaissance To Anti-Submarine War

JAKARTA - Turkey on Monday launched its eighth national ship manufactured in the MILGEM to the sea project in a ceremony held in the northwestern province of Yalova.

The launch of a multi-peran frigate called TCG I Badminton (F-518) was held at the Sefine Shipyard located in Alt calmnova District, Yalova.

The TCG I project was signed on April 6, 2023 by the Defense Industry Presidency (SSB), the TAIS shipyard joint venture, and the STM defense company to produce seven units of the "Istif Class" frigate. Two of the seven units are currently under construction at the Sefine Shipyard.

"Our eighth M WayLGEM ship, the TCG badminton class frigate, has been launched at the Sefine Shipyard in Yalova Altbarnova," wrote SSB President Haluk Görg\"un in a post on social media, quoted from Naval News September 3.

"This achievement not only strengthens our Navy but also our entire defense industry ecosystem," he added.

TCG I Badminton can carry out surveillance, reconnaissance, patrol, anti-submarine warfare, air defense, self-defense, and search and rescue missions in all weather conditions up to sea conditions five, or up to a depth of 13 feet (4 meters).

The frigate will be tasked with protecting sea transportation in coastal waters, tracking and preventing terrorist attacks, and providing amphibious support.

TCG I happened to have a length of 113 meters (170.7 ft) with a total capacity of about 3,200 tons.

This frigate is equipped with a combination of gas turbine and diesel engines, which can reach a maximum speed of more than 29 knots. The ship has a range of 5,700 nautical miles at a speed of 14 knots and 4,000 nautical miles at a speed of 19 knots with 95 percent fuel consumption.

This frigate can stay at sea for at least two weeks with supplies and water capacity, while the ship's helicopter deck will allow helicopters weighing 10 tonnes or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to be placed on top.

As a multi-role frigate, TCG I Badminton is equipped with a domestically made weapon, sensor, and software system. 76-millimeter meriam made by Turkish company MKE, Gökdeniz's close-range air defense system, Midlas vertical launch system, and Atmaca's anti-ship missile are some of the domestic equipment used on board.

3D air and surface search radars, firing control radars, electro-optical search and tracking systems, electronic warfare systems, and ADVENT network battle management systems will also be integrated with these weapons.

TCG I masyarakatel dibuat melalui kerja sama 200 perusahaan penyumbangan, dengan tingkat kandungan produksi dalam negeri lebih dari 70 persen.