The aspiration to gain and maintain dominance in the littoral seas and beyond has been a driving force behind the competition between coastal countries for commercial and military superiority in these waters for thousands of years. This desire has been fuelled by the economic riches of the seas, which have been known to humankind since time immemorial. Conversely, attempts to market the wealth of their own country to other overseas countries have led to the problem of transporting these riches to recipient countries in a cost-effective and secure manner. In the transportation of goods by road and later by rail, the high initial costs of these routes and the lengthy and perilous journeys inevitably led humanity to the relatively less risky and cheaper sea route. This resulted in the establishment and operation of commercial sea fleets of various sizes.
Furthermore, coastal countries have initiated the formation of naval forces in response to the necessity to safeguard a diverse array of economic assets, both living and non-living, within their immediate maritime domain. This includes assets that are exported to other countries and transported by sea.
A review of the history of the Republic of Türkiye and Anatolia reveals that the sea, which the Turks encountered upon their arrival in Anatolia following the Battle of Manzikert in 1071, has been a constant presence in their lives for approximately 1,000 years. Over this period, the sea has shaped their culture and influenced their development. Çaka Bey, regarded as the inaugural Turkish admiral, secured the victory over Smirni in 1081, thereby establishing the inaugural Turkish fleet comprising 40 ships. The year 1081, during which this navy was established, is also regarded as the founding date of the Turkish Naval Forces.
The Turkish Naval Forces, which was established in 1081 and has a history of approximately 950 years, has become a significant naval power, both in the surrounding seas and in the world’s seas. Its deterrent capabilities are increasing on a daily basis.
The establishment of the Republic of Türkiye by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in 1923 marked the beginning of a period of rapid growth for the Turkish Navy. Drawing inspiration from a rich history of maritime excellence, the Navy has since expanded its capabilities, developing a range of vessels, including Fast Attack Boats, Corvettes, Frigates, and Submarines, with the assistance of its own engineers and utilizing indigenous resources.
It should not be forgotten that, behind this war ship design and construction capability is the Turkish Naval Academy, which was established in 1773 during the Ottoman Empire, and the engineer naval officers who have been trained in this school for 250 years.
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Turkish Navy’s favorite vessels
Indigenous Turkish Naval Forces: As mentioned above, the majority of naval officers, who were raised in a tradition of approximately 250 years and graduated from the Turkish Naval Academy, work on naval ships for many years and then take an active role as headquarters’ officers. Some of these officers have obtained master’s degree and doctorate degrees from reputable technical universities in Türkiye and countries such as the USA and serve in the Naval Forces as engineer officers.
The combined efforts of the headquarters officers and engineer officers are responsible for determining the future requirements of the Turkish Naval Forces in terms of strike force capabilities. Their objective is to meet these needs as much as possible through indigenous means.
Undoubtedly, the most significant and distinctive example of these endeavors is the MİLGEM (National Ship) project. Its design commenced in 2004 with a limited number of engineers and has since become the subject of admiration among the world’s navies. The initial four vessels of the project, designated as the ADA class corvettes, represent a significant enhancement to the Turkish Navy’s operational capabilities. With the fifth ship, TCG İSTANBUL (F-515), the ship underwent further expansion, becoming a frigate class vessel with the integration of the national vertical launch system.
Conversely, the MİLGEM project has enhanced the capacity of the civilian shipbuilding sector to construct warships. In this context, the tender for the sixth, seventh, and eighth ships of the project has been concluded, and the construction of the ships has commenced with the successful contractor. It is anticipated that all three national frigates will commence their duties in the Turkish Blue Homeland simultaneously within 36 months.
The ships tendered by the Turkish Presidency of Defense Industries in the last 25 years are not limited to these, here we should of course mention that the largest ship of the Turkish Navy, the Multi-Purpose Amphibious Assault Ship TCG ANADOLU (L-400), which changed the balances at sea, was also built by a private shipyard and delivered to the Navy. TCG ANADOLU, which is a dock landing and helicopter carrier, was designed and built to accommodate the deployment of STOVL-capable short-distance take-off and vertical landing aircraft.
Additionally, the TCG DERYA (A-1590) is a replenishment and combat support ship, the largest of its kind. It was constructed by a local private shipyard in Türkiye using a 100% indigenous design. The preliminary design was created by the Turkish Navy Design Project Office, which is responsible for the design of the country’s national corvettes and frigates. This colossal vessel, which distinguishes itself from its counterparts in the global naval community with its 24-knot speed, was commissioned in January 2024.
Another important project is the Reis class Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) Submarine Project. This project, consisting of 6 submarines, continues at Gölcük Shipyard Command, first ship TCG PİRİREİS (S-330) will be delivered this year and all ships are planned to be in service by 2027.
Apart from all these projects, dozens of medium and small-scale ship and boat projects continue successfully and strengthen the strength of the Turkish Naval Forces day by day.
In addition to these realized projects, it is planned to complete the designs of the TF-2000 Air Defense Warfare Destroyer, MİLDEN-National Submarine and the final point in design, the Turkish Aircraft Carrier projects, which are currently being designed by the Turkish Navy, within the next 10 years, and begin construction activities to support the power of the Turkish Navy.
All the platforms mentioned so far were suitable for conventional and manned operations. Now, I would like to tell you, our valued readers, about Armed Unmanned Surface Vehicles, which will be a very important multiplier for the Turkish Naval Forces both in maintaining peace and in winning the war. Fully autonomous, remote-controlled armed unmanned marine vehicles, whose construction was completed and testing activities are continuing within the scope of the contracts signed approximately 3 years ago; I would like to tell you about the one for surface warfare and Mine Countermeasures purposes among these AUSVs produced by 4 different local business partnerships in 4 different types and mission descriptions.
This AUSV, produced from 100% high-tech composite material by a private shipyard in line with the technical requirements created according to the needs of the Turkish Naval Forces; Maximum speed over 40 knots; It has a cruising range of approximately 400 miles at economical speed and the ability to operate at sea for 40 hours. In addition to the remote-controlled stabilized machine gun, it is independent of the ground control station (fully autonomous) with its entire infrastructure ready and a laser-guided long-range missile that can be installed as plug-and-play when necessary, or a side-scanning sonar crane and towable sonar fish that can be mounted on the same field for the purpose of MCM operations. will also be able to carry out operations. AUSV, whose majority of its hardware and 100% of its autonomous software are local and national, will be delivered to the Navy by the end of this summer.
In summary; Turkish Naval Forces with all its new/old, manned/unmanned, floating/diving platforms; As the Developing Deterrent Power of the Seas, Türkiye is an exemplary Naval Force that displays its flag in all seas of the world, especially in its Blue Homeland, and fulfills all duties assigned by NATO and the United Nations with meticulousness and success.
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