Istanbul-class frigate

The Istanbul-class frigates are a planned group of four frigates for the Turkish Naval Forces. Developed under the MILGEM national warship program as the TF-100-class frigate, the Istanbul class is an enlarged variant of the Ada class anti-submarine corvette, with enhanced endurance and the fitting of a Mark 41 vertical launch system for a multi-role capability. Also known as the I-class frigate and the MILGEM-G-class frigate, the nameship of the class was cut first steel on 19 January 2017,[1] keel laid on 3 July 2017,[2] and is expected to commission in 2021.

Render of Istanbul Class Frigate
Class overview
Name: Istanbul class
Builders: Istanbul Naval Shipyard
Operators: Turkish Navy
Built: 2017–
Planned: 4
Building: 1
General characteristics
Type: Multi-role 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)
Complement: 125
Armament:
  • Guns:
  • 1 × 76 mm (3 in) OtoMelara Super Rapid
  • 2 × 25 mm (0.98 in) Aselsan STOP
  • 1 × CIWS
  • Anti-surface missiles:
  • 16 × Harpoon or Atmaca
  • Anti-aircraft missiles:
  • 16 x Mk.41 VLS for ESSM
  • Torpedoes:
  • 2 × 324 mm (13 in) Double Torpedo launchers
Aircraft carried:
  • Hangar and platform for:
  • S-70B Seahawk ASW helicopter
  • Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV)

History and background
The Istanbul class will be an enlarged version of the Ada class, of which TCG Heybeliada is seen here. In comparison to the Ada class the Istanbuls will have a lengthened foredeck, two 8-cell vertical launch systems will be positioned between the superstructure and the main gun.

The Istanbul class has its origins in the Turkish MILGEM project to develop its own indigenous warships and warship building industry. The program calls for the building of a family of twelve warships, in three classes each of four ships, all with high degrees of commonality. The first of the three classes is the Ada-class anti-submarine/patrol corvette. The Istanbul class, originally known as the TF-100 class, belongs to the second of these classes and is a multi-role variant of the Ada class. The final class will be the TF2000 class, which will be the air defence member of the family.

The Istanbul class[3] 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,[4] the Istanbul class will have twice the number of anti-ship missiles[4] and will be equipped with the Mk.41 VLS,[4] capable of firing Atmaca, HISAR, RIM-66 Standard, RIM-162 ESSM and VL ASROC 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.[5] 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.[6]

Ships in the class
Pennant no. Name Namesake Builder Laid down Launched Commissioned Status
F-515 TCG İstanbul (F-515) Istanbul Istanbul Naval Shipyard Command 3 July 2017 Expected launch in 2021 N/A Under construction since 20 January 2017
F-516 TCG İzmir (F-516) Izmir Istanbul Naval Shipyard Command N/A Expected launch in 2022 N/A N/A
F-517 TCG İçel (F-517) İçel Istanbul Naval Shipyard Command N/A Expected launch in 2023 N/A N/A
F-518 TCG İzmit (F-518) Izmit Istanbul Naval Shipyard Command N/A Expected launch in 2024 N/A N/A
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See also

References
  1. "İlk milli fırkateynin yapımına başlandı" (in Turkish). TRT Haber. 19 January 2017. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  2. "KINALIADA Korveti Denize İndirme ve İSTANBUL Fırkateyni İnşa Başlangıç Töreni" (Press release) (in Turkish). Turkish Naval Forces. 3 July 2017. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  3. "Turkish Navy set to build its own frigate". Hürriyet Daily News. 21 December 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  4. Khan, Bilal (19 January 2017). "Turkey Begins Building First Istanbul Class Frigate". Quwa.org. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  5. "Turkey begins construction of first national frigate 'Istanbul'". 19 January 2017. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  6. https://www.defenceturk.net/milgem-i-sinifi-firkateyn
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