Turkey’s Defence Ministry confirmed on Thursday that construction work has begun on the first national submarine, the MILDEN, while also announcing the first export of a corvette to a NATO ally following an agreement with the Romanian government.
According to Turkish media reports, Defence Ministry Spokesman and Press Advisor Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk said during the ministry’s weekly press conference that “following the construction of the first block of the TF-2000 air defence destroyer at our Istanbul Shipyard Command, the construction of the first test block of our National Submarine (MILDEN) has begun at our Gölcük Shipyard Command”, adding that the state defence company ASFAT signed a contract with Romania‘s Defence Ministry to export an Akhisar light corvette, the first such operation by Turkey for a NATO partner.
Aktürk also noted that the Machinery and Chemical Industries Corporation (MAC) has been listed for the first time among the world’s top 100 defence companies by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). “These historic achievements in our national defence industry are a demonstration of the high level achieved by our country in this field, and we congratulate all those who have contributed to this process,” he said.
The ministerial spokesman also recalled that last week the Bayraktar Kızılelma combat drone, developed by Baykar, successfully destroyed an aerial target over the Black Sea during a test that was conducted with the AESA Murad radar – produced by Turkish defence company ASELSAN – and the BVR Gökdoğan range air-to-air missile – developed by TÜBİTAK SAGE – marking an unprecedented milestone in global aviation history.
Tensions in the Aegean and the Black Sea
Asked about Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias‘ statement that the Turkish military poses a threat to Greece, Aktürk replied: “The Turkish Armed Forces do not pose a threat to anyone who does not pose a threat to us. But they have the strength and determination to eliminate any risk directed against our country. We remind once again that, just as attempts against Türkiye have failed in the past, they will not succeed now or in the future”.
The spokesman also addressed Ukraine’s recent attacks on merchant vessels in the Black Sea and the situation in the region: “A lasting peace is essential for a stable and secure maritime environment. However, we continue to take the necessary measures, in particular for the protection of our maritime jurisdictions and critical infrastructure, both underwater and on the surface,” he said.
Main features of the MILDEN submarine project
- Launch and development: the MILDEN project was launched on 14 April 2010, and has been under the coordination of the Turkish Naval Research Centre Command (ARMERKOM) since 2012.
- Design approval: the conceptual design phase was completed and approved in January 2022.
- Technical characteristics: MILDEN submarines will have a surface displacement of 2,700 tonnes, a length exceeding 80 metres and an air-independent propulsion (AIP) system powered by six proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell modules, methanol-reformer systems and lithium-ion batteries.
- Weapon systems: eight 533 mm torpedo tubes capable of launching heavy AKYA National submarine-launched torpedoes (HWT), Sub-ATMACA anti-ship missiles and GEZGIN submarine-launched cruise missiles.
- Sonar and sensor suite: MILDEN submarines will be equipped with indigenous low-frequency flank, forward and towed sonar systems, as well as advanced radar systems.
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Edited and reviewed by:
Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
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