On Saturday, January 23, in addition to the exploratory contacts between Greece and Turkey, the launching of the newly-constructed Turkish “I” class frigate (“Istanbul”) was also on the political agenda. 

First of all, the time period chosen by the Turks to launch this particular ship is worth mentioning, since semiology is always emphasized by the Turks. In this case, they made sure that the launching of the ship coincides with the exploratory contacts. 

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The launching ceremony of the frigate was attended by the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Defence Minister, Hulusi Akar, the Chief of the Turkish Armed Forces and the Chief of the Turkish Navy.

On the same day, the steel cutting ceremony of Pakistan’s third MILGEM corvette took place. The design of the “I” frigates is based on MILGEM corvettes, while the development of the TF-2000 is based on the design of the “I” class ships. The construction of the F-515 “Istanbul” started in January 2017 and is expected to join the Turkish Naval Forces Command in 2023. Another three frigates will follow, one per year, until 2026.

The ship is expected to be delivered to the Turkish Naval Forces Command in 2023 as essential trials will confirm whether it is ready to operate and to examine any problems it may present so as to make improvements on the frigates to follow. 

General Characteristics: 

• Displacement: 300 tonnes  
• Length: 113 meters
• Maximum speed: 29 knots
• Range: 5.700 N.M. (in a 14-knot speed)
• Main Propulsion: CODAG, two MTU 20V 4000 M93L diesel engines (driving two shafts) and a LM2500 gas turbine (in CODAG configuration)
• Power Generation: 4 x diesel generator
• Crew: 120 people

Armament

• 1 × 76 mm (3 in) OtoMelara Super Rapid main gun
• 1 × 35 mm (1.4 in) Aselsan GOKDENIZ dual barreled CIWS
• 2 × 25 mm (0.98 in) Aselsan STOP autocannon
• 16-cell (total 64 missiles) MDAS Vertical Launching System 
• 16 × Atmaca anti-ship missiles
• 2 × 324 mm (13 in) Double Torpedo launchers
• S-70B Seahawk ASW helicopter & Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV)

©anadolu agency

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