Keel laid for Turkish Navy’s third Istanbul-class frigate

Turkey’s Sedef Shipyard has laid the keel of the third Istanbul-class multi-role frigate ordered by the Turkish Navy.

Like its sisters, the future TCG Izmit belongs to the MILGEM warship family developed by the Turkish government. Construction was undertaken in cooperation with technology company STM Defence.

Upon completion, the frigate will have a length of 113.2 metres, a beam of 14.4 metres, a draught of 4.05 metres, a displacement of 3,100 tonnes, a maximum speed of 29 knots, and a range of 5,700 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 14 knots. Armament will include a 76mm naval gun, a 35mm close-in weapon system, two 25mm remotely controlled autocannon, anti-ship missiles, surface-to-air missiles, and torpedoes.

A flight deck and hangar will also be fitted for use by an S-70 Seahawk helicopter and unmanned aerial vehicles.

The future Izmit will be used for anti-surface warfare, anti-air warfare, and anti-submarine warfare as well as secondary roles including reconnaissance, surveillance, target detection, identification, recognition, and early warning.