Turkey officially launched, at the Sefine Shipyard in Altınova, Yalova, the eighth ship of the MİLGEM Project, the country’s national naval construction program.
The new frigate, named TCG İÇEL, marks a milestone in Turkey’s strategy for technological independence and naval power expansion.
Measuring 113 meters in length and with a displacement of approximately 3,200 tons, the frigate was designed to perform multiple roles: anti-submarine warfare, surface combat, air defense, electronic warfare, and search and rescue missions.
The ship is equipped with systems developed by the national industry, including:
- MKE 76 mm gun;
- GÖKDENİZ Air Defense System;
- MIDLAS Vertical Launch System;
- ATMACA anti-ship missile;
- CENK three-dimensional radar;
- Electro-optical tracking system;
- ADVENT battle management system.
Domestic production and integration
During the ceremony, the President of Turkey’s Defense Industries, Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün, highlighted the importance of the program:
“MİLGEM is not just a ship project. It is a symbol of Turkey’s will to remain self-sufficient in the defense industry, with high engineering capacity and a vision of domestic production.”
According to Görgün, TCG İÇEL is made up of up to 80% locally sourced components, the result of cooperation among more than 200 institutions and companies in the sector.
Strategic context
The official also linked the launch to the “Blue Homeland” (Mavi Vatan) doctrine, which projects Turkish maritime power across different regions:
“Each new ship we launch not only strengthens our security but also declares to the world our engineering capabilities and our strategic determination at sea.”
Project continuity
Under the coordination of the Presidency of Defense Industries, the MİLGEM program foresees the construction of a diverse fleet of frigates, corvettes, and future destroyers. Currently, seven frigates are under construction, two of them at the Sefine Shipyard itself.
With the launch of TCG İÇEL, Turkey consolidates its position among the countries building the largest number of military ships simultaneously, while also expanding its export capacity to partner and allied nations.
Source and images: Instagram @savunmatrcom. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
