| Turkish Naval Forces | |
|---|---|
| Türk Deniz Kuvvetleri Türk Donanması | |
 Seal of the Turkish Navy | |
| Founded | |
| Country |  Turkey |
| Type | Navy |
| Role | Naval warfare |
| Size | 45,000 active personnel[3] 55,000 reserve personnel[3] |
| Part of | TAF |
| Headquarters | Ankara |
| Motto | "Always Ready" |
| Colors |
|
| March | Turkish Navy MarchPlayⓘ |
| Anniversaries | 27 September[1] |
| Equipment | List of equipment of the Turkish Naval Forces List of active ships of the Turkish Naval Forces |
| Website | www |
| Commanders | |
| Commander-in-Chief | PresidentRecep Tayyip Erdoğan |
| Minister of National Defence | Yaşar Güler |
| Chief of the General Staff | GeneralMetin Gürak |
| Commander | AdmiralErcüment Tatlıoğlu |
| Chief of Staff of Turkish Naval Forces | Vice Admiralİbrahim Özdem Koçer |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol |  |
| Naval AviationRoundel |  |
| Masthead Pennant |  |
|
| Components |
|---|
| History |
| Special Forces |
| Equipment |
 |
| Leadership |
|---|
| Branches |
| History |
| Special Forces |
| Member of |
| Current foreign deployments and missions |
TheTurkish Naval Forces (Turkish:Türk Deniz Kuvvetleri), orTurkish Navy (Turkish:Türk Donanması), is thenaval warfare service branch of theTurkish Armed Forces.
The modern naval traditions and customs of the Turkish Navy can be traced back to 10 July 1920, when it was established as theDirectorate of Naval Affairs during theTurkish War of Independence led byMustafa Kemal Atatürk. Since July 1949, the service has been officially known as theTurkish Naval Forces.
In 2008, the Turkish Navy had a reported active personnel strength of 48,600; this figure included anAmphibious Marines Brigade as well as several Special Forces andCommando detachments.[4] As of early 2021, the navy operates a wide variety ofships and 60 maritime aircraft.
Following the demise of theOttoman Empire in the aftermath ofWorld War I, on 3 November 1918, thefleet commander of theOttoman Navy,rear admiral Arif Pasha, ordered all flags to be struck on all warships lying in theGolden Horn, and the Ottoman Navy ceased to exist.[5] The major surface combatants of the former Ottoman fleet (totalling 62,000 tons) were rendered inactive by theAllies and in accordance with the terms of theArmistice of Mudros, the warships were disarmed during the last week of 1918. The battleshipTurgut Reis and the cruisersHamidiye andMecidiye were substantially limited and kept inactive inside the Golden Horn by the occupying forces.[6] Due to its larger size, the battlecruiserYavuz Sultan Selim was transferred to theGulf of İzmit on the grounds that she could adversely affect the sea traffic inside the Golden Horn;[6] while her ammunition and guns were removed.[6] During this period, only a small number of Ottoman Navy vessels were allowed by theAllies to remain on activecoast guard duties and were released from internment on 26 February 1919;[5] such as the torpedo boatsAkhisar andDıraç which patrolled theSea of Marmara, the gunboatHızır Reis which patrolled theGulf of İzmir, and the minelayersNusret andTir-i Müjgan which conducted mine cleaning operations in theGulf of Saros.[6]
Before theTurkish War of Independence began, theBahriye Nazırlığı (Naval Ministry) sent the gunboatPreveze toSinop and the gunboatAydın Reis toTrabzon in February 1919 for surveillance, reconnaissance and patrol duties.[6] However, a lack of coal to fuel their propulsion systems caused thePreveze andAydın Reis to remain in harbour until the end of 1919.[6] During the early stages of the Turkish War of Independence, these two gunboats did not return to Istanbul, despite heavy pressure from the Ottoman government and the Allies.[6] Instead, they were placed under the command of theTurkish liberation forces led byMustafa Kemal Atatürk and headquartered inAnkara.[6]
A large number of the naval officers and students of the Naval Academy went toAnatolia for participating in theTurkish War of Independence. On 10 July 1920, theDirectorate of Naval Affairs (Umur-u Bahriye Müdürlüğü) was founded in Ankara under the Ministry of National Defense and was given the duty of organizing and maintaining strategic logistical shipping through theBlack Sea in order to provide the Turkish liberation forces in Anatolia with weapons and other supplies.[6] All existing naval institutions in the parts of Anatolia that were administered by the Ankara government were assigned to this Directorate.[6] The Directorate of Naval Affairs was extremely successful in organizing local surface units and volunteers and in forming an intelligence network to discover the movements of the enemy ships.[6] As a result, logistic transportation was carried out effectively.[6] TheTurkish Grand National Assembly in Ankara made an agreement with theSoviet Union to procure supplies for the Turkish liberation forces.[6]Aydın Reis left fromSamsun (on 16 September 1920) andPreveze left fromTrabzon (on 30 September 1920) forNovorossiysk in order to transport weapons, other supplies and financial aid to the Turkish liberation forces.[5][6] TheTrabzon Shipping Detachment, which was founded on 21 September 1920, was renamed as theTrabzon Naval Shipping Command with the directive issued by the Ministry of National Defense on 26 October 1920.[6] On 1 January 1921, theSamsun Naval Command was formed.[7] In the subsequent stages of the Turkish War of Independence, due to the growing need for maritime shipping and the increase in the quantity and quality of the units and small ships, the organizational structure of the Directorate of Naval Affairs was gradually extended.[6]
In the same period, a number of Turkish civilian seamen formed a group under the name of theNaval Aid Organization (Muavenet-i Bahriye).[7] This group secretly obtained cannons, light weapons, ammunition, landmines and ordnance from the former Ottoman military warehouses in Istanbul that were under the control of the occupying Allies and sent them to the Turkish liberation forces in Anatolia with civil water transportation crafts.[7]
On 1 March 1921, the Directorate of Naval Affairs was transformed into the Presidency of the Naval Department (Bahriye Dairesi Reisliği) and had control over the Naval Commands in Samsun,Amasra andİzmit (formed on 28 June 1921); the Naval Transport Detachment in Trabzon; the Naval Transport Command inEreğli; the Naval Detachment inLake Eğirdir; and the Naval Liaison Group inFethiye (formed on 16 March 1921.)[6] During the War of Independence, Turkish naval forces transported 220,000 tons of weapons, ammunition and equipment to the land forces in Anatolia.[7]
Following theArmistice of Mudanya on 11 October 1922, the former Ottoman Ministry of the Navy (Bahriye Nazırlığı) building in theKasımpaşa quarter ofIstanbul, on theGolden Horn, became the headquarters of the Istanbul Naval Command on 14 November 1922.[6] The establishment of the Ministry of the Navy (Bahriye Vekâleti) of the Republic of Turkey, headquartered in Ankara, was decided by theGrand National Assembly on 29 December 1924, andTopçu İhsan Bey (İhsan Eryavuz) was appointed the first (and only) Naval Minister of Turkey.[8][9] When theRepublic of Turkey was established on 29 October 1923, the former Ottoman vessels that remained under Turkish control were as follows:[10]
In active service: 2 cruisers (Hamidiye,Peyk-i Şevket), 2 yachts (Ertuğrul,Söğütlü), 1 destroyer (Taşoz), 4 gunboats (Burak Reis,Hızır Reis,Kemal Reis,İsa Reis), 1 minelayer (Nusret), 1 aviso (Galata), 4 tugs and 7 motorboats.Out of service (needing repair): 2 battleships (Yavuz Sultan Selim,Turgut Reis), 2 cruisers (Berk-i Satvet,Mecidiye), 4 destroyers (Muâvenet-i Millîye,Nümune-i Hamiyet,Basra,Samsun), 6 torpedo boats (Sultanhisar,Yunus,Akhisar,Dıraç,Musul,Berk Efşan), 1 gunboat (Sakız).
Preparations were made to carry out the maintenance and overhaul of small-tonnage warships (the threeTaşoz-class destroyers and the gunboatsBurak Reis,Sakız,İsa Reis andKemal Reis) and to make them combat-ready.[6] Thus, the cruiserHamidiye, which was planned to be employed as a Cadet Training Ship, was overhauled.[6]
During the 1920s, a commitment to refurbish the battlecruiserTCG Yavuz (which remained in active service until 1950) as the centerpiece of the republic's fleet was the only constant element of the various naval policies which were put forward.[11] The battlecruiser remained inİzmit until 1926, in a neglected state:[12][13][14] only two of her boilers worked, she could not steer or steam, and she still had two unrepaired scars from the mine damage in 1918. Enough money was raised to allow the purchase of a new 26,000-metric-ton (26,000-long-ton)floating dock from the German companyFlender,[6] asYavuz could not be towed anywhere without risk of her sinking in rough seas.[15] The French companyAtelier et Chantiers de St. Nazaire-Penhöet was contracted in December 1926 to oversee the subsequent refit, which was carried out by theGölcük Naval Shipyard.[13] Since theTreaty of Lausanne in 1923 required the disarmament of theTurkish Straits, the infrastructures belonging to the Turkish Naval Forces on theBosphorus (inIstinye) and on the Golden Horn were transferred toGölcük.[6] In this period, Gölcük was designated as the main Turkish naval base.[6]
The overhaul works of TCGYavuz proceeded over three years (1927–1930); they were delayed when several compartments of the dock collapsed while being pumped out.Yavuz was slightly damaged before she could be refloated and the dock had to be repaired before the overhaul works could be resumed. The Minister of the Navy,İhsan Eryavuz, was convicted of embezzlement in the resulting investigation which became known as theYavuz-Havuz case (havuz meaning "dock" in Turkish naval engineering terminology.)[15] The investigation revealed that Ihsan Eryavuz had reduced the insurance obligation of the French company (Atelier et Chantiers de St. Nazaire-Penhöet) from 5 million to 1.5 million Turkish liras, and was convicted guilty of fraud,[16] which resulted in the abolition of the Ministry of the Navy on 27 December 1927.[7][17]
Following the dissolution of the Ministry of the Navy, the naval forces were reorganized under the Ministry of National Defense[9] and on 16 January 1928[17] theUndersecretariat of the Sea (Deniz Müsteşarlığı) was established in order to undertake the duties of the former Ministry of the Navy.[7] With this new reorganization, the Turkish Fleet Command was put under the command of theTurkish General Staff in terms of administration and logistics.[6] On 2 November 1930, theNaval War College (Deniz Harp Akademisi) commenced training and education of Staff Officers at its facilities in theYıldız Palace.[6] DuringWorld War II, the naval schools were temporarily relocated fromIstanbul toMersin for security reasons and conducted education and training activities in this city.[6]
In 1933, with the approval of theTurkish Grand National Assembly,Gölcük was designated as the main base of the Turkish Navy.[6] In the same year, the first new ship built at theGölcük Naval Shipyard, the tanker TCGGölcük, was laid down; and launched the following year.[6] With the signing of theMontreux Convention in 1936, Turkey's sovereignty over theTurkish Straits was internationally recognized, andFortified Area Commands were founded on theBosphorus andDardanelles straits, with Naval Detachments assigned to these Commands.[6]
The Turkish Naval Forces were represented under the title of theNaval Undersecreteriat at the Turkish General Staff Headquarters in Ankara from 1928 to 1949.[6] The historic decree of the Higher Military Council on 15 August 1949 led to the foundation of the Turkish Naval Forces Command (Deniz Kuvvetleri Komutanlığı.)[6] After Turkey joinedNATO on 18 February 1952, the Turkish Naval Forces were integrated into the organizational branches of the alliance.[6]
_and_TCG_Anadolu_(L-400)_in_the_Mediterranean_Sea_21_August_2023.jpg)
In 1961, the Turkish Naval Forces Command was organized into four main subordinate commands: TheTurkish Fleet Command, theTurkish Northern Sea Area Command, theTurkish Southern Sea Area Command and theTurkish Naval Training Command.[6] In 1995, theTurkish Naval Training Command was renamed as theTurkish Naval Training and Education Command.[6]
%2c_USS_Oak_Hill_(LSD_51)%2c_TCG_Gokova_(F496)_and_TCG_Anadolu_(L400)_at_Mediterranean_Sea_(3).jpg)
The Turkish Navy maintainsmarine,explosive ordnance disposal andspecial operations units such as:
The Turkish Navy is currently undergoing several modernisation programmes to replace its ageing equipment. As of 2023, the major modernisation projects are as follows:
On 3 January 2024, the Turkish government approved the plan for the design and construction of a large aircraft carrier,[20] named theMUGEM-class aircraft carrier.[21]
On 15 February 2024, the Design and Projects Office of the Turkish Navy announced that it will be a STOBAR aircraft carrier with an overall length of 285 metres (935 ft),[21][18][19] beam of 72 metres (236 ft),[21][18][19] draught of 10.1 metres (33 ft),[21][18][19] and displacement of 60,000 tons.[21][18][19] It is to have a COGAG[21][18][19] propulsion system and a maximum speed of more than 25 knots (29 mph; 46 km/h).[21][18][19]
The construction of the firstMUGEM-class aircraft carrier began on 2 January 2025.[18][19][22] The firstMUGEM-class aircraft carrier is being built at theIstanbul Naval Shipyard.[18][19][22]
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TCG Anadolu is a 27,079-tonneamphibious assault ship (LHD) anddrone carrier of the Turkish Naval Forces that can also be configured as a 24,660-tonneV/STOLaircraft carrier.[32] Construction began on 30 April 2016 by Sedef Shipbuilding Inc. at theirIstanbul shipyard.[33][34] TCGAnadolu was commissioned with a ceremony on 10 April 2023.[35][23] The construction of a sister ship, to be named TCGTrakya, is currently being planned by the Turkish Navy.[36][37]
TheSikorsky S-70B Seahawk and theBell AH-1 SuperCobra are the two main types of helicopters used on TCGAnadolu, with the occasional use ofCH-47F Chinook helicopters of theTurkish Army during military exercises and operations.[38] The AH-1W Super Cobras will eventually be complemented and replaced by theTAI T929 ATAK 2.[39]
Thejet-powered,low-observable droneBayraktar MIUS Kızılelma[23][40][41] and theMALE UAVBayraktar TB3[42][43][44] are twoUCAVs that are specifically designed and manufactured byBaykar Technologies to be used on TCGAnadolu.[45] The maiden flight ofTAI Anka-3 (also part of Project MIUS), a jet-powered,flying wing type UCAV with stealth technology, was successfully completed on 28 December 2023.[46][47][48]
On 19 November 2024, aBaykar Bayraktar TB3UCAV successfully took-off from the flight deck of TCGAnadolu and landed on the ship.[26][27][28] It was the first time a fixed-wing unmanned aircraft of this size and class had successfully landed on a short-runwaylanding helicopter dock, without the use of anarresting gear.[49][27][28]
TCGAnadolu has a 1,880 m2 (20,200 sq ft) light cargo garage forTEU containers and 27Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAV);[31] a 1,165 m2 (12,540 sq ft) dock which can host fourLanding Craft Mechanized (LCM) or twoLanding Craft Air Cushion (LCAC), or twoLanding Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVP);[31] and a 1,410 m2 (15,200 sq ft) garage for heavy loads, which can host 29main battle tanks (MBT), Amphibious Assault Vehicles, and TEU containers.[31] The ship is protected by the ARAS-2023diver detection sonar (DDS). She has a crew of 261 personnel: 30 officers, 49 NCOs, 59 leading seamen, and 123 ratings.[50][31]
The ship has a 5,440 m2 (58,600 sq ft)flight deck and a 990 m2 (10,700 sq ft) aviationhangar which can accommodate either 12 medium-sized helicopters or 8Boeing CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters.[31] When the aviation hangar and the light cargo garage are unified, the ship can carry up to 25 medium-sized helicopters.[31] Alternatively, the ship can internally carry up to 10F-35BSTOVL fighter jets and 12 medium-sized helicopters,[31] with the possibility of hosting 6 more helicopters on the flight deck of the ship.[31]
TheTF-2000-class destroyer is a projectedanti-air warfareguided-missile destroyer currently undergoing development by the Turkish Naval Institute.[51] The class will provide survivability in the presence of aerial threat and also support mission functions such ascommand, control, and communications,reconnaissance,early warning,surface warfare,anti-submarine warfare andelectronic warfare. Moreover, once in service, the TF-2000s are slated to be an integral part of Türkiye's expeditionary strike groups centered around theTCGAnadolu LHD and the country's futureMUGEM-class aircraft carriers.
The construction of the firstTF-2000-class destroyer, the firstMUGEM-class aircraft carrier, and the firstMILDEN-class submarine began in the same day, on January 2, 2025.[18][22][19] The firstTF-2000-class destroyer and the firstMUGEM-class aircraft carrier are being built at theIstanbul Naval Shipyard,[18][22] while the firstMILDEN-class submarine is being built at theGölcük Naval Shipyard.[18][22] Large capital vessels like the TCGAnadolu and theMUGEM-class aircraft carriers require destroyer escorts to defend them against enemy aircraft, ships and submarines, a duty that will be undertaken by theTF-2000-class destroyers.
On 5 December 2007, the Defence Industry Executive Committee approved plans to build six ships of this class (4 fixed, 2 optional).[52] In January 2013, it was announced that Türkiye was planning to acquire a total of 8 TF-2000 destroyers, which was confirmed at the International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) 2021.[53] With the realization of the project, it is intended to improve theanti-air warfare (AAW) capabilities of theTurkish Navy.[54]
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Theİstif-class frigate programme was launched to construct four frigates to replace the agingYavuz-class frigates in the mid-2020s. Developed under theMILGEM indigenous warship program, theİstif-class is an enlarged variant of theAda-class anti-submarine warfare corvette. Theİstif-class frigates will have around 50% increased fuel capacity and operational range capability compared to theAda-class corvettes.[57]
The firstİstif-class frigate,TCG Istanbul (F-515) was launched on 23 January 2021.[58][59][60] TCGIstanbul (F-515) was commissioned on 19 January 2024.[61][62]
Theİstif-class frigates use Turkish systems such as theAselsan CENK 3D multi-beamAESA radar,[63]Roketsan MİDLASVLS,[56]SapanSAM,[56]SİPERSAM,[56] andAtmacaSSM.[56]
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On 3 April 2018, a contract was signed between theAselsan–HAVELSAN joint venture and the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM) regarding the mid-life upgrade project of theBarbaros-class frigates.[64][65] The project includes the integration of new weapons systems, a new combat management system, and new radars and sensors; together with the replacement of the original mast with an integrated mast and various upgrades. All four ships in the class are included in this project. The project is scheduled to be completed by 2025.[66]
The first twoBarbaros-class vessels (F-244, F-245) have received an 8-cell Mk41 vertical launcher system (VLS) module, which replaced the obsolete Mk.29 Sea Sparrow launcher, while the slightly longerSalihreis-subclass vessels (F-246, F-247) have received a second 8-cell Mk 41 VLS module which brought the total number of cells to 16 (they can store a total of 64RIM-162 ESSM missiles). Additionally, the old AWS-9 3D air search radars in all four vessels have been replaced by theSMART-S Mk2 3D radars.
The mid-life modernisation program also projects to enhance EW capabilities, double the number of anti-ship missiles that the vessels are equipped with, while also replacing theHarpoon missiles by the locally designed and producedAtmaca anti-ship missiles. The project also includes the substitution of theOerlikonSea ZenithCIWS systems with onePhalanx CIWS and oneAselsanGökdeniz CIWS; the replacement of the existing TACTICOS combat management system with theHavelsan "B-SYS Combat Management System", and the installation of a 127mm main gun to the frigates. Finally, against asymmetric threats that the vessels may face, 2x2L/UMTAS launchers will be integrated to the frigates.[67][68]
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TheG-class frigates of the Turkish Navy have undergone a major modernisation program which included the retrofitting of a Turkish digital combat management system named GENESIS (Gemi Entegre Savaş İdare Sistemi).[69] The system was designed and implemented jointly by the Turkish Navy andHAVELSAN, a Turkish electronic hardware systems and software company.[70] The GENESIS upgraded ships were delivered between 2007 and 2011.[71][72]
The GENESIS advanced combat management system has the capacity of tracking more than 1,000 tactical targets, thanks to its digital sensor data fusion, automatic threat evaluation, weapon engagement opportunities andLink-16/22 system integration.[73]
The modernisation program also includes the addition of an 8-cellMk.41 VLS forRIM-162 ESSM, together with the upgrade of the Mk-92fire control system byLockheed Martin;[74] the retrofitting of theSMART-S Mk2 3D air search radar which replaced theAN/SPS-49;[75] and the addition of a new long rangesonar.[76][77]
The Mk.41 vertical launching system (VLS) has been fitted in front of theMk.13 launcher. TCGGediz was the first ship in the class to receive the Mk.41 VLS installation.[78]
TheG-class frigates of the Turkish Navy were also modified with theASIST landing platform system at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard, so that they can accommodate theS-70B Seahawk helicopter in all types of weather conditions.
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TheAda-class corvettes of the Turkish Navy were developed during the first stage of theMILGEM project for the purpose of building a nationalcorvette withanti-submarine warfare andhigh-seas patrol capabilities, while using the principles oflow observability in its materials and design.[79] The design concept and mission profile of theAda-class corvette bears similarities to theFreedom-classlittoral combat ship of theU.S. Navy. TheAda-class corvettes are more heavily armed and are equipped with more capable radar and sonar systems, while theFreedom-class has a higher speed and variable mission modules.[80]
All four ships of the series,TCG Heybeliada,TCG Büyükada,TCG Burgazada andTCG Kınalıada were built by theIstanbul Naval Shipyard. The construction works of the lead ship, TCGHeybeliada, commenced on 26 July 2005. TCGHeybeliada was launched on 27 September 2008. On 2 November 2010,Heybeliada initiatedsea acceptance trials in theSea of Marmara.[81][82]Heybeliada entered service on 27 September 2011.[83] The cost of constructing TCGHeybeliada was reportedly around US$260 million.[84] The production of the second ship of the class,TCG Büyükada, commenced on 27 September 2008.Büyükada was expected to incorporate weapon systems with notable performance, such as theASELSAN air-search radar.Büyükada was launched on 27 September 2011 and underwentsea acceptance trials before it was officially commissioned on 27 September 2013. The construction ofTCG Burgazada commenced on 17 December 2014. The ship was launched in June 2016 and commissioned on 4 November 2018.[85] Turkish Naval Forces Command (TNFC) received its fourth and lastAda-class corvette, TCGKınalıada (F-514) on 29 September 2019, in the commissioning ceremony held at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard.[86] On 4 November 2019, the Defense Industries Administration (SSB) of Turkey announced that TCGKınalıada successfully test-fired theAtmaca anti-ship cruise missile.[87]
GENESIS (Gemi Entegre Savaş İdare Sistemi, i.e.,Ship Integrated Combat Management System), anetwork-centric warfare management system developed byHAVELSAN and initially used in the upgradedG-class frigates of the Turkish Navy, was contracted for the first two corvettes on 23 May 2007.[88][89] In the lastAda-class corvette, TCGKınalıada, the ADVENT combat management system (an upgraded version of GENESIS) was installed. TCGBurgazada will also be retrofitted with the ADVENT combat management system.[90]Ada-class corvettes have a national hull-mounted sonar developed by theScientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey.[91] The sonar dome has been developed by STM's subcontractor ONUK-BG Defence Systems, extensively employing nano-enhancedfibre-reinforced polymer.[92] TheAda-class also features the Electronic Chart Precise Integrated Navigation System (ECPINS), supplied by OSI Geospatial.[93] The Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) for controlling machinery, auxiliary systems, power generation and distribution was delivered by STM's subcontractor Yaltes JV. The main systems integrated to IPMS are thepower management system,fire detection system,fire fighting system,damage control system,CCTV system andstability control system.[94]
TCGUfuk (A-591)SIGINT ship andHisar-class OPVs are variants of theAda-class corvette that use the samehull andsuperstructure design but feature different types of systems, armament and equipment.
_submarine_escape_and_rescue_exercise_Sorbet_Royal_2005.jpg)
The Half-life Modernisation Project of thePreveze-class submarines covered the modernisation of TCGPreveze (S-353), TCGSakarya (S-354), TCG18 Mart (S-355) and TCGAnafartalar (S-356) in the inventory of the Turkish Naval Forces Command. The modernisation activities were carried out by the STM-ASELSAN-HAVELSAN-ASFAT partnership.
The Inertial Navigation System, Salinity-Depth-Density Measurement System, Floating Antenna, Satellite Communication Mast, Assault and Navigation Periscope System, Emergency Underwater Communication System, Cooled Water System, Static Converter and Air Freshening System of thePreveze-class submarines were modernised by STM.[95]
TheReis-class submarines are the first submarines in the Turkish Naval Forces withair-independent propulsion (AIP), which is made possible by fuel cell technology. The submarines can also deploy heavyweight torpedoes and anti-ship missiles, and lay mines against targets, both at sea and on land.
Apart fromPiri Reis, five more submarines of the project are expected to be commissioned by 2027. The sea trials of the first submarine of the class,Piri Reis, began on 6 December 2022.[96] TCGPiri Reis (S-330) was commissioned on 24 August 2024.[97] The outfitting of the project's second submarineHızır Reis and the hull production phases of two other vessels are ongoing.
In 2015,Gölcük Naval Shipyard commenced a 10-year programme to build sixType 214 submarines, locally known as theReis-class submarines, with technology fromThyssen-Krupp Marine Systems of Germany.[98]
TheMILDEN project (Turkish:Milli Denizaltı Projesi;English: "National Submarine Project") is a multi-year military design and procurement project to develop indigenousair-independent powerattack submarines, intended to be commissioned into the Turkish Naval Forces in the 2030s. The first MILDEN class submarine is being designed and built at theGölcük Naval Shipyard, where the concept design was completed in 2022, and the preliminary design phase, in which the main and auxiliary systems will be elaborated in detail, began in September 2022.[99]
MILDEN is a diesel-electric submarine of approximately 2,700 tonnes displacement, and over 80 metres (260 ft) in length.[99]
The construction of the firstMILDEN-class submarine started on January 2, 2025.[18][100][19]
In February 2021, chairman of the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) Ismail Demir made public anew type of UAV being developed by Baykar that is planned to be stationed to Turkey's firstdrone-carryingamphibious assault ship,TCG Anadolu.[101] The new aircraft being developed is a naval version of the Bayraktar TB2 equipped with a local engine developed byTEI.[102] According to the initial plans the ship was expected to be equipped withF-35B fighter jets but following the removal of Turkey from the procurement program, the vessel got into a modification process to be able to accommodate UAVs. Mr. Demir stated that between 30 and 50 folding-winged Bayraktar TB3 UAVs will be able to land and take off using the deck of Anadolu.[103][30][104][105][106]
On November 19, 2024, aBaykar Bayraktar TB3UCAV successfully took-off from the flight deck of TCGAnadolu and landed on the ship.[26][27][28] It was the first time a fixed-wing unmanned aircraft of this size and class had successfully landed on a short-runwaylanding helicopter dock, without the use of anarresting gear.[49][27][28]
Developed for the Turkish Navy and Turkish Air Force as part of Project MIUS, the jet-poweredBayraktar KızılelmaUCAV is designed to operate onTCGAnadolu.[29][23][30] Its maiden flight took place on 14 December 2022.[29][110][111]
ULAQ is the first indigenous and locally developed ArmedUnmanned Surface Vehicle (AUSV). The vehicle is being developed by a joint venture betweenAres Shipyard andMETEKSAN. The vessel is planned to be equipped with fourCirit and twoL-UMTASanti-tank missile systems provided byRoketsan. Moreover, ULAQ is projected to have a 400-kilometer-long cruising range with 65 km per hour maximum speed. The vessel is planned to be operated in missions such as reconnaissance, surveillance and intelligence, surface warfare, asymmetric warfare, armed escort and force protection, and strategic facility security.[112] Currently, the project is undergoing sea trials and will start to fire tests through the third quarter of 2021.[113][114] The first firing test of the vessel was completed on 26 May 2021 by destroying a designated target with theRoketsan Cirit missile.[115]
With a ceremony held on 9 January 2024, she entered service in the Turkish Naval Forces as the firstUCSV (unmanned combat surface vessel) with thehull number TCB-1101 and nameMarlin SİDA.[116]
TheIstanbul Naval Museum is located in theBeşiktaş district ofIstanbul,Turkey. It was established in 1897 by theOttoman Minister of the Navy (Bahriye Nazırı)Bozcaadalı Hasan Hüsnü Pasha.[121][122]
The museum contains an important collection of military artifacts pertaining to theOttoman Navy.[121] In the maritime field, it is Turkey's largest museum, with a great variety of collections. Around 20,000 pieces are present in its collection, including the late 16th or early 17th centuryOttoman Navygalley known asTarihi Kadırga, built in the period between the reigns of SultanMurad III (1574–1595) and SultanMehmed IV (1648–1687),[117][118] as evidenced byAMS radiocarbon dating anddendrochronological research.[118] She is the only surviving original galley in the world,[117][119] and has the world's oldest continuously maintained wooden hull.[120]
Being connected to the Turkish Naval Forces Command, it is also the country's first military museum.[123]
In the early 21st century a new exhibition building was constructed. The construction began in 2008, and the building was reopened on 4 October 2013. It has two floors above ground level and one basement floor, all covering 20,000 m2 (220,000 sq ft).[123]
The basement consists of diverse items likefigureheads, ornaments of naval ships, ship models, and pieces of theByzantine chain that was used for blocking the entrance of theGolden Horn during theOttoman conquest of Constantinople (Istanbul) in 1453. In the first and second floors, a large number of imperial and othercaïques are exhibited.[124]
Many exhibition items underwent special restoration and conservation works due to deformation of the raw materials caused by heat, light, humidity, atmospheric conditions, vandalism and other factors.[123]
| NATO code | OF-10 | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-6 | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-1 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turkish Naval Forces[125] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||
| Büyük amiral | Oramiral | Koramiral | Tümamiral | Tuğamiral | Albay | Yarbay | Binbaşı | Yüzbaşı | Üsteğmen | Teğmen | Asteğmen | |||||||||||||
| NATO code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turkish Naval Forces[125] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | No insignia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Astsubay kıdemli başçavuş | Astsubay başçavuş | Astsubay kıdemli üstçavuş | Astsubay üstçavuş | Astsubay kıdemli çavuş | Astsubay çavuş | Astsubay astçavuş | Uzman çavuş | Çavuş | Uzman onbaşı | Onbaşı | Er | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Leadership |  | |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Field armies | ||
| Services | ||
| Internal security | ||
| Equipment | ||
| Education | ||
