“MİLGEM represents a major breakthrough for Turkish naval shipbuilding industry and Turkish defense sector in general,” writes Defense Industry Expert Arda Mevlütoğlu for MarineDeal News readers
The geographic location of Turkey poses many challenges in the naval domain. The security of the Straits, as well as access to sea lanes through Eastern Mediterranean, is of critical importance for trade of goods and energy. As an energy dependent country, economic activities of Turkey rely on the security of the surrounding sea lanes.
After the end of the Cold War, many major navies of the world found themselves facing with missions that had not been previously focused on. Among these were tasks such as show of flag, search and rescue, supporting operations against smuggling, drug-trafficking and illegal immigration. Frigates and destroyers of the Cold War era were designed to counter submarines, surface ships and aircraft of enemy forces, while corvettes and patrol boats were mainly tasked with brown water operations in a conventional threat environment. The new threat environment, on the other hand, required ships with different characteristics and performance. Turkish Navy saw this challenge right from its onset.
Another major theme of the post-Cold War period is the rise of the submarine: Advances in propulsion and sensor technologies turned submarines even deadlier than before. Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology enabled submarines to operate submerged in much longer periods not possible before. Active and passive sonar systems have become sharper in precision. As a result, more navies have become in possession of advanced submarines that have the capability to directly threat the opponent’s naval and maritime interests. Prolonged periods of submerged operation also meant sharp increase in the capability of collecting strategic intelligence in peace time. These factors dictated more emphasis on anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities.
Project background
Design and construction of a corvette class warship through local capabilities was first put on the agenda in early 1990’s. Designated as MİLGEM (Milli Gemi: National Ship), the project envisaged a multipurpose warship capable of undertaking ASW, anti-surface warfare and patrol missions. Budget constraints caused significant delays and the project was put on hold until 2000s.
In May 2004, the project was re-started by the decision of the Defense Industry Executive Committee. The new MİLGEM project called for local design, classification and construction of corvette primarily tasked with ASW missions. Project management and design was to be done by a project office within the Turkish Navy (TuN). Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (Savunma Sanayii Müsteşarlığı: SSM) was tasked with procurement of sub-systems, services and goods required for construction. The total number of ships to be built was decided as eight, with an option for four more.
MİLGEM project not only aimed for the construction of modern corvettes, but also establishment of indigenous naval shipbuilding industry. A local supply chain for major and sub-systems for such a complicated ship and also obtaining several critical technologies through R&D projects were among the primary goals. As a result, TuN and SSM awarded many subcontracts to local small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) for development of subsystems, components and equipment for MİLGEM.
Main characteristics
The design requirements of the MİLGEM called for a 2,300t ship with an overall length of 99,5m, equipped with one gas turbine and two diesels in a CODAG configuration. The propulsion system drives two variable pitch propellers achieving a maximum speed of 29 knots. Main armament consists of one 76mm/62 main gun, eight anti-ship missiles in four canisters of two, four 324mm torpedoes and two 12,7mm remote controlled stabilized weapon stations. There is a landing platform and a hangar for a 10t class ASW helicopter. The ship is also equipped with an integrated electronic warfare suite, laser warning systems and torpedo countermeasures.
The combat information center (CIC) of MİLGEM is built upon an open architecture framework, enabling it to be modified or upgraded with future systems or software. A version of indigenously developed GENESIS (Gemi Entegre Savaş İdare Sistemi: Ship Integrated Combat Management System), designated G-MSYS controls all combat and sensor systems of the ship. Integrated communications and data link systems enable the G-MSYS handle joint ASW, anti-surface and air defense operations with friendly and allied naval, air and land assets.
Electromagnetic, thermal and acoustic signal reduction are among the top priorities of the MİLGEM design. The hull and superstructure of the ship shows the importance given to geometric radar cross section (RCS) reduction measures. Locally developed track management system was at the core of the design to minimize RCS footprint. MİLGEM is also equipped with indigenously developed degaussing system as a countermeasure to magnetic naval mines.
Status
The lead ship of the project, F-511 Heybeliada, was laid down in July 2005 in Istanbul Naval Shipyard. The ship was launched in September 2008 and commissioned on Sept. 9, 2011, the same day of the launching of the second ship, F-512 Büyükada. Launching of the third ship, F-513, Burgazada took place in June 2016 while the fourth ship, F-514 Kınalıada, was launched in July 2017.
It was decided by DIEC in June 2015 that the next four ships of the project were to be of a larger, modified design designated as “I” class. The lead ship of this program, F515 Istanbul, is under construction at Istanbul Naval Shipyard. The I class will be equipped with more anti-ship missiles (four rows of four launchers, totaling 16), vertical launching systems (VLS) for air defense missiles in B position, and larger caliber remote controlled weapon systems. It is expected that once in service, the I class will replace Yavuz (MEKO 200 Track I) class frigates in 2020s, which are nearing the end of their service lives.
Export
It was no surprise that MİLGEM project was on the radar of a number of countries seeking modern corvettes for their navies. After years of negotiations, Pakistan became the first country to formally engage with MİLGEM with a Letter of Intent (LoI) signed between Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works Limited (KSEW) and Turkish STM in May 2015 during IDEF 2015 defense exhibition. The LoI was followed by a contract for four ships signed on July 5 between Pakistan’s Ministry of Defense Production (MoDP) and Turkey’s Military Factory and Shipyard Corporation (ASFAT A.Ş.). According to the contract, two of the corvettes will be built at Istanbul Naval Shipyard, while the remaining two will be constructed at KSEW. Pakistan will also receive complete transfer of technology and the transfer of intellectual property rights for the design of these ships. Turkish Ministry of National Defense stated that the first Pakistani corvette will be built in 54 months from the contract date, with the remaining three due within 60, 66 and 72 months, respectively.
Conclusion
MILGEM represents a major breakthrough for Turkish naval shipbuilding industry and Turkish defense sector in general. It is the first platform level program that was undertaken all the way from conceptual design to construction through indigenous academic and engineering capabilities. It is also the first warship that was designed and built in Turkey, with the exception of Berk and Peyk that were built upon a modified U.S. destroyer escort design in 1970s.
MİLGEM also marked passing a psychological barrier for the Turkish Navy, to develop a concept and manage a successful program that requires complex military – industrial cooperation and coordination. Through MİLGEM, Turkish Navy acquired extensive experience base for developing warship design concepts to meet the challenges of today’s and future’s threat environments. The result is evident in the successful performance of the ships in service and export orders.
