Turkey plans to begin production of its “national coast guard ship” in 2027, according to the 2027 presidential annual programme published in the country's Official Gazette on October 27, as reported by Anadolu Agency.
The ship will forms part of a set of maritime search and rescue (SAR) measures intended to increase rescue capacity by improving the technological capabilities of SAR platforms and equipment.
The programme also provides for the procurement of one unmanned maritime vehicle and two unmanned vertical take-off and landing aircraft under separate projects.
A diving, safety, security, and SAR team designated DEGAK is also to be established to increase the maritime rescue capacity of the Turkish Coast Guard Command.
The Ministry of Interior is responsible for the measure, with the Ministry of National Defence and the Presidency of Defence Industries listed as cooperating institutions.
The coast guard's 2024–2028 strategic plan records that a request for proposals had already been issued for two national coast guard ships capable of prolonged offshore operations in severe weather and sea conditions.
The coast guard's 2024 report described a broader objective of eight ships in a "2+6" arrangement. At that time, design was to be completed in 2025, with the first ship launched in 2027 and the second in 2028.
The vessels were then planned to have a length of more than 65 metres, a beam of 12 metres, a range of 2,500 nautical miles, and accommodation for up to 60 crewmembers and other personnel.
