MILGEM
The MILGEM (Patrol and Anti Submarine Warfare Ships Acquisition Project - Denizalti Savunma Harbi ve Kesif Karakol Gemisi Tedarik Projesi) corvette project was launched in 1998 for the in-country design and construction of up to 12 anti-submarine warfare and high-seas patrol-capable vessels.
Taskizak shipyard was selected as main contractor. Design, construction, fitting out, installation of equipment and weapons and commissions will be performed at Taskizak and private shipyards. The Bidders proposed to build the first of MILGEM Ships in Istanbul Naval Shipyard and at least 4 ships in a private shipyard and the remaining MILGEM Ships (if any) in Istanbul Naval Shipyard. (the order of shipyard in which MILGEM Ships, other than the first ship, shall be built is under the preference of the Bidder.)
The program comprises up to 12 vessels, with the first 8 to be completed by 2008 at a cost of $1.6 billion. UTDI/SSM is responsible for finance of local contributions ($266 million).
Blohm+Voss proposed the Turkish Navy reduce its requirement for 12 OPVs under Milgem project to 8 and buy 4 new Meko A-100 class multi-role corvette instead of first batch of 4 Milgem OVP project. Blohm+Voss had previously offered Polyphem SSGW-equipped Meko A-100 class OVP ships for Milgem project.
