Defence Security Asia – Turkish Naval Forces Commander Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu revealed that the knowledge and expertise required to build nuclear-powered submarines would be cultivated under Turkey’s national submarine development program, known as MILDEN (Milli Denizaltı Projesi), which forms the cornerstone of the country’s naval modernization efforts.

(Thanks to Alain)

RUSI – As Turkey asserts its ‘Blue Homeland’ doctrine, Cyprus faces mounting challenges over maritime rights and energy security in an increasingly volatile Eastern Mediterranean.

Naval News – On January 2, 2025, the Turkish Ministry of Defence announced the steel cutting ceremony of the MUGEM indigenous aircraft carrier, TF-2000 AAW destroyer, and MILDEN indigenous submarine.

Naval News – Baykar, Turkiye’s top drone manufacturer, announced today that the Bayraktar TB3 successfully took off and landed on the Turkish Navy’s flagship, TCG Anadolu.

Naval News – At SAHA EXPO 2024, the Turkish Navy showcased the mockup of its future aircraft carrier, MUGEM, for the first time. “MUGEM” stands for Milli Uçak Gemisi, meaning “National Aircraft Carrier,” highlighting Turkiye’s ambition to develop the carrier without foreign assistance. This project represents a significant milestone in the country’s ongoing efforts toward self-reliance in naval defense capabilities. The conceptual design phase for MUGEM is still underway, but Turkish officials have made it clear that the carrier will be built entirely domestically, reflecting Turkiye’s growing expertise in the naval shipbuilding sector.

Naval News – TRANÇA is designed with advanced mobility in mind, capable of being transported via low-bed trailers and launched into the water from cranes, eliminating the need for permanent bases or specialized crews in remote regions

The War Zone – Project GENESIS not only breathed new life into the aging Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates, but it also set the country up to build its own advanced warships.

Naval News – On July 1, 2024, the activation ceremony of the MCM BLACK SEA Task Group was held in Istanbul, attended by the Navy Chiefs of Türkiye, Bulgaria, and Romania.

Naval News – Koç Savunma, a Turkish defense solutions company, unveiled its Malaman camouflaged Smart Sea Mine solution.

Naval News – On April 25, 2024, Turkish Navy’s Istanbul Naval Shipyard opened its gates to inform the press about the latest developments in various naval projects. The most intriguing one is undoubtedly the future aircraft carrier.

Daily Sabah – One of Türkiye’s pioneering defense tech companies on Tuesday unveiled the nation’s first indigenous beyond-the-horizon submarine defense sonar system. The system is part of efforts to employ entirely domestic technology to further expand the navy’s competence in underwater detection capabilities.

(Thanks to Alain)

Naval News – On February 16, 2024, the Ministry of National Defense shared photos showcasing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to the Turkish Navy’s Design Project Office. The images revealed the design and various features of the Turkish Navy’s future aircraft carrier.

Bosphorous Naval News – With the commissioning of the Marlin USV, the Turkish Navy entered officially into the age of uncrewed surface vessels. The USVs are an opportunity. They open new dimensions and new operational capabilities in front of the naval forces. As it is always the case innovations also bring new problems and challenges.

(Thanks to Alain)

Naval News – On January 19, 2023, a grand ceremony was held at the Sefine Shipyard for the commissioning of the first I-class frigate, TCG Istanbul (F-515), the new-generation fleet oiler TCG DERYA, the logistics ship TCG Ütğm. Arif Ekmekçi and the unmanned surface vessel MARLIN.

Defense News – Defense leaders from Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania formalized a pact Jan. 11 aimed at protecting Black Sea shipping from mines laid in the course of Russia’s attack against Ukraine.

Naval News – On January 3, 2024, a meeting of the Turkish Defense Industry Executive Committee took place, with President Erdogan in attendance. During the session, the committee made significant decisions, which included initiating the design phase of an aircraft carrier and the construction of an additional 4 I-class frigates.

Naval News – The project to develop a multipurpose mini submarine (or Çok Amaçlı Mini Denizalti – ÇAMD) is being carried out by Sefine Shipyard and Datum Submarine Engineering Inc, a subsidiary of Istanbul Technical University. Within the scope of the project, the design, construction, equipping and testing of a multi-purpose mini submarine that can dive to a depth of 300 meters, has a crew of four and can be easily transported by land thanks to its length of 12 meters will be carried out.

Navy Recognition – The first Reis class submarine, TCG Piri Reis, participated in the Republic Day festivities, marking its first official appearance. The air-independent propulsion submarine has been undergoing sea trials since the beginning of this year.

(Thanks to Alain)

US Naval War College Review – Turkey’s prohibition of passage through the Black Sea straits by all foreign warships—including NATO’s—is difficult to justify under the Montreux Convention; Ankara more likely invoked it to mitigate repercussions from Moscow. Doing so tarnishes the country’s status as an honest broker and faithful guardian of the convention, which could have unintended long-term consequences.

Defense News – The Turkish Navy has received the amphibious assault ship TCG Anadolu, its largest vessel ever, from which the military will deploy heavy helicopters, drones and light-attack aircraft, according to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

War Zone – The Turkish Navy on Monday celebrated the entry into service of its new flagship, the TCG Anadolu, now the country’s largest warship, with an inauguration ceremony held about three months after the ship’s actual delivery due to scheduling conflicts. The Anadolu is classed as an amphibious assault ship, but officials in Turkey say they have big plans to also use the vessel as a carrier for different tiers of armed drones.

Naval News – Turkish Aerospace showcased the anti-submarine warfare capabilities of its Aksungur medium altitude long endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle.

Hurriyet Daily News – Türkiye’s amphibious tank landing ships TCG Bayraktar and TCG Sancaktar have docked at a port in the southern province of Hatay to provide hospital services for the victims of Feb. 6’s major earthquakes.

The Defense Post – The Turkish Navy is inching closer to deploying its first ULAQ unmanned surface vessels (USVs).

(Thanks to Alain)

War on the Rocks – Building on the success of the Turkish TB2 drones, Ankara is now pursuing the development of fully-fledged “drone carriers,” a class of light carriers carrying several dozen still-in-development Bayraktar TB3 remotely piloted aircraft. Turkey looks to be the first country with flat-deck ships replacing manned aircraft with unmanned systems. While it is by no means the only state developing carrier-borne drone capabilities, Turkey is the lead power pursuing “drone motherships” equipped with long-range armed drones as the ship’s primary aviation element.