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Further Reading

MILGEM

The MILGEM (Milli Gemi - National Ship) 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 iniitally planned 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.

MILGEM Corvette meets the reconnaissance, surveillance, target identification, early warning, defense of base and harbors, anti submarine warfare, surface to surface and surface to air warfare, amfibic operation and patrol requirements of Turkish Naval Forces Command. HEYBELIADA - the first local designed corvette - was designed and constructed by Istanbul Naval Shipyard with the participation of local industry through the material, equipment and services supplied by Undersecretariat for Defence Industries. In this respect, the hull appendages and form optimization and model trials of the ship was performed by Istanbul Technical University, the design documents has been examined by Turkish Lloyd according to the Rules of Naval Ships (2004) and the platform construction and outfitting equipment have been produced and integrated by the local sub-contractors.

MILGEM Corvette is a monohull type vessel designed to meet the speed, seakeeping and stability requirements of Turkish Naval Forces Command. With a dimension of 99.00 m x 14.40 m x 3.59 m and displacement of 2000 tons, MILGEM Corvette has an unlimited operation capability at sea state 5 and limited capability at 6. The ship, which was designed to have a helicopter platform, hangar and support equipment required for S-70-B2 SeaHawk ASW helicopters, will be capable of helicopter operation up to sea state 4 (including sea state 4). MILGEM Corvette has a crew of 93 including the aviation crew and will also provide accommodation for 106 people. The main propulsion system comprises 2 diesel engines (MTU 16V595TE90) and 1 gas turbine (CODAG), will allow a maximum speed of more than 29 knots and a cruising speed of 15 knots. The range of the ship is 3500 NM.

Air defence, anti-submarine warfare and surface engagement capability are provided through the weapon systems integrated on the ship. There is 1 x 76 mm Oto Melara main gun which is controlled by the gun fire control system developed by ASELSAN, 2 x 12.7 mm machine guns to be mounted on ASELSAN manufactured STAMP (Stabilized Machine Gun Platform), 8 x harpoon surface to surface missiles, 21 x RAM PDMS and 2x 324 mm Mk. 32 twin launchers for Mk.56 torpedoes, on HEYBELIADA.

Turkish companies ASELSAN and HAVELSAN are responsible for the development and integration of the combat systems. In this respect, there will be 3D search and track radar, fire control radar, navigation radars, sonar, EW system, laser/RF systems, chaff and ASW jammers, SatCom, ECDIS/WECDIS, GPS, LAN, on the ship. The ship utilizes X-Band SatCom naval terminals, electronic support measurement system, laser warning systems, ASELFLIR-300 electro-optic director and internal and external communication system developed and produced by ASELSAN. The combat management system has been developed by HAVELSAN as well as the ship navigation sensor&data distribution system and message handling system. The sonar suite has been designed and developed by TÜBITAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey). TÜBITAK is also responsible for the design, development and production of the hydrophone and degaussing system as well as performing the IR signature forecast and management and electromagnetic compatibility and reduction of electromagnetic interference analyses.

In scope of the MILGEM Project that consists of the construction of 12 (4 optional) Patrol and Anti-Submarine Warfare Ships through local design, the first ship HEYBELIADA was launched on 27 September 2008 (470. Anniversary of Preveze Naval Battle Victory and Turkish Naval Forces Day) at Istanbul Naval Shipyard and will be commissioned on 2011. Also the keel of the second ship "BÜYÜKADA" wias laid on the same day. The first national ship is named 'Heybeliada' due to the fact that the school, where many Turkish naval officers have been educated for centuries, is located on the Heybeliada (one of the Prince's Islands in Istanbul). Total cost of the ship, which is the first comprehensive warship built in Turkey with 80 percent national resources, is 250 million dollars.

Turkey became one of the 15 countries capable of building warships in the world with the construction of 'Heybeliada'. In his speech delivered at the ceremony, the Prime Minister Erdogan said the way to having a voice in the world passes from having a voice in the maritime industry, adding that he commemorated all sailors, naval forces commanders, and mariners, who have served throughout the history, with great gratitude. Erdogan stated that the mariners had many achievements in the past and present, and wished continuance of the success of the Turkish Naval Forces Command that introduced many valuable commanders and mariners throughout the history. Erdogan said, "Here we are launching the first 'National Warship'. In order to have a strong voice on our seas, we need to build naval vessels", adding that the Turkish shipbuilding industry that ranked 23rd in 2002 today ranks fourth after South Korea, Japan and China in terms of tonnage and number of ships ordered as a result of the quantum leaps in the maritime industry. "We will witness that the Turkish navy will return to its old bright days in the future periods. Turkish people will become a marine nation again. I believe that these developments in the military and civil maritime industry increase the interest of the children and young people in this sector. And I also believe that we are proceeding on the way to become a worldwide brand in the maritime industry with the potentials we have not only in infrastructure terms, but in manpower terms as well," the Prime Minister said.

It is planned to sell 12 ships to be built within the scope of the project abroad. The first two of these ships will be built at the Istanbul Shipyard of the Turkish Naval Forces, and the remaining 10 will be built at private shipyards in Turkey. The ships already receive interest particularly from Canada, as well as from Pakistan, Ukraine and South American countries. Ships planned to be sold at a price of 500 million dollars are expected to provide 100 per cent profit. In November 2008 it was reported that Turkey and Pakistan will cooperate on a venture to supply four warships developed under MILGEM, Turkey's national ship project, to the Pakistani Naval Force.