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The second frigate of TCG Izmir type Istanbul came out in naval trials
Author:Mariusz Dasiewicz
On August 10th, a frigate arrived TCG Izmir (F 516), a second Istanbul-type vessel (İSTİF), began naval trials. Information about the beginning of this stage of construction of Anadol Shipyard reported on 26 August.
In the article
Izmir is the sixth vessel to emerge under MİLGEM and the second in the first series four Istanbul frigates ordered for the Turkish Maritime Forces (Türk Deniz Kuvvetleri). Prototypic Istanbul (F 515) built Naval Shipyard in Istanbul, while three further frigates were created in parallel in private shipyards cooperating in the TAİS and STM consortium.
Starting of sea trials means moving to one of the last stages prior to the ship's transfer Türk Deniz Kuvvetleri. The manoeuvring characteristics of the frigates, propulsion system, ship-wide and navigation systems and on-board equipment shall be checked, as well as electronic systems, command and armaments in subsequent stages.
TCG Izmir with expanded MIDLAS launcher
The most visible difference between the first two Istanbul frigates is the design of the forward portion of the hull in which the VLS MIDLAS launcher was placed. On TCG Istanbul a 16-way launcher was used in a shorter variant, designed primarily for HİSAR-D RF system missiles.
Photos Izmir made when going into the sea of the ship show that the space occupied by the launcher is clearly larger. The number of guides remained unchanged, but the increased length of the installation indicates the use of a variety to accommodate larger missiles.
The use of a longer launcher opens up the possibility of using weapons which cannot be accommodated in the configuration used on a prototype frigate. This applies primarily to SİPER family missiles with a larger range, but also developed in Turkey GEZGİN manoeuvring missiles designed to combat land use and the ATMACA anti-shipcraft variety adapted for vertical take-off.
However, caution should be exercised at this stage. Neither the shipyard nor the Turkish Defence Industry Presidency gave the dimensions of the new launcher and confirmed what weapons were planned to be used with it. Therefore, the photographs allow to talk about the expansion of the installation, but do not yet prejudge the intended configuration.
Istanbul frigates developing Corvette Ada
Istanbul frigates were created as a development Corvette type Adawhich started the MİLGEM programme. The new ships received a larger hull, stronger weapons and increased fuel supply, which allowed for longer range and autonomy compared to the earlier project. With the entry into service of the Istanbul frigate they will gradually replace older Yavuz units in the MEKO 200 family.
Ships are 113.2 m long, 14.4 m wide and about 3000 t buoyancy. The drive was configured in the CODG system, with two diesel engines and a General Electric LM2500 gas turbine. The maximum speed exceeds 29 knots, while at an economic speed of 14 knots the range is about 5700 Mm.
The heart of the command system is HAVELSAN ADVENT. The set of observation measures includes, among others, three-ordinated AESA CENK-S radar, AKR-D fire steering radars, AHTAPOT optoelectronic system, PİRİ infrared observation device and FERSAH hull sonar.
The weapon includes a 16-guided VLS MILLAS launcher, 16 guided Roketsan ATMACA anti-ship missiles, a 76 mm cal cannon, and a 35-mm dual barrel direct defense system ASELSAN GÖKDENİZ. They are supplemented by two remotely controlled ASELSAN STOP weapons stations. 25 mm and two triple launchers light torpedoes.
The expanded MIDLAS launcher may be one of the most important differences between TCG Izmir a prototype TCG Istanbul. If the possibility of using SİPER missiles and large range impact weapons is confirmed, the second Istanbul frigate will receive a much broader weapon set than the first series ship.
