• Forum
• SITREP

• Military

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space
• Public Eye

Further Reading

TCG Heybeliada - (MILGEM - Milli Gemi – National Ship)
Patrol and Anti-Submarine Warfare Ship

Milgem, from the Turkish words Milli Gemi (National Ship), is the name of the Turkish corvette program; the purpose of which is to build a modern littoral combat warship with indigenous capabilities, extensively using the principles of stealth technology in its design. When the Milgem project was officially launched in 1996, the initial plan was to locally build MEKO A-100 corvettes of Blohm+Voss, a German shipbuilding company which specialized in building high technology warships and submarines. In the early 2000s, the partnership plan with Blohm+Voss was shelved and the Turkish Navy decided to design and build a completely indigenous corvette. Istanbul Naval Shipyard Command executes and coordinates the design, development and construction works of the Milgem project since 12 March 2004.

The design concept and mission profile of Milgem bears similarities with the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS-1) developed by Lockheed Martin as the first member of the next generation of USN warships.

MILGEM (Milli Gemi – National Ship) Corvette, is a monohull displacement vessel developed to meet requirements of the Turkish Navy with respect to speed, seakeeping and stability. Main propulsion system consists of one gas turbine and two diesel engines (CODAG). The maximum speed of the ship will be 29+ knots with a propulsion power of approx. 30,000 kWs. MILGEM’s operational range is 3500 Nm with 15 kts. cruise speed. Provisional endurance is 21 days with replenishment. The fuel capacity of the ship is 175 tons. MILGEM is designed to accommodate a 10 tons helicopter with platform, hangar and extensive service and handling equipment. The design currently stands at about 99m overall length and around 2,000 tonnes in displacement.

MILGEM is capable of accomodating a Sea-Hawk S-70B helicopter. The helicopter is used for Surface Warfareand ASW purposes and equipped with radar, EO system and EW system along with numerous guided missiles and torpedoes. MILGEM has a day and night landing, securing and travers system, JP-5 refueling station and ammunition stores for helicopter operations.

MILGEM has a fully distributed Combat Management System (CMS) capable of collecting information from all sensors on-board. CMS processes the information and assigns weapons accordingly. CMS also shares information with other units in the task force via tactical data links. MILGEM’s CMS infrastructure consists of dual distributed data bus covering the whole ship and its open system architecture has the capacity to be upgraded to inherent new systems and capabilities.

MILGEM is designed with maximum national contribution, utilizing state of the art technologies to reduce Radar Cross Section (RCS), Infrared Signature, Magnetic Signature and Underwater Noise Level. In order to achieve this goal, early in the ship design phase a “Signature Management” methodology is established. Hull and superstructure geometry is evaluated with computer aided Radar Cross Section estimation tools. Necessary precautions are taken in the design to have a low IR signature profile in order to reduce the difference between MILGEM’s IR signature and environment.

The propulsion power generated by one gas turbine and two diesel engines is transmitted through two controllable pitch propellers via the cross connected gearbox. MTBF (Mean Time Between Overhauls) of the engines is increased and the life cycle cost is reduced due to the capability that one diesel engine can drive two shafts at cruising speed. Main Propulsion System generates 30,000 kW to achieve the maximum speed of 29+ knots. The reliability of the MPS at all conditions is to be kept at the maximum possible level.

The MILGEM Project calls for the local design and construction of Patrol and Anti-Submarine Warfare Ships by Turkish Navy at Istanbul Naval Shipyard in Pendik with maximum local content. The first naval vessel designed locally in MILGEM Project, will decrease external dependence in system integration for vessel design and hull construction, combine the capabilities existing in naval and private shipyards and transfer the technology and know-how to private shipyards, endow the private sector in naval shipbuilding with the required knowledge, experience and technological infrastructure.

The National Vessel [MilGem] Program of the Turkish Navy covers the local construction of a total of 12 Corvette type patrol and ASW platforms. This Project has a local industry participation of over 65% with 50 local companies, acquisition and construction operations are being performed in accordance with the acquisition model. The project scope includes Patrol and Anti-Submarine Warfare Ships that meet the requirements of Turkish Naval Forces Command will be locally designed and constructed. The Prototype and the Second Ship were constructed at Istanbul Naval Shipyard (INSY), whereas the other ships will be constructed at either INSY or local private shipyards.

The MILGEM program kicked off in 2004. The first welding ceremony of the prototype vessel, TCG HEYBELIADA [F-511] was held on 26 July 2005 at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard Command. The Prototype Ship HEYBELIADA was successfully launched on 27 September 2008, and the keel up ceremony of the Second Ship was held on the same day. Accomplished outfitting/integration and test activities, Prototype Ship TCG-HEYBELIADA has gone into service under the Turkish Navy on 27 September 2011, and Second Ship was launched on the same day. Outfitting/integration and test activities of the Second Ship were ongoing as of early 2012. Following the delivery of TCG HEYBELIADA [F-511], 7 + 4 additional platforms are intended to be built at Turkish private shipyards jointly and in cooperation with the Istanbul Naval Shipyard Command of the TNFC.

A total of twelve Milgem class warships (eight corvettes and four frigates) will be built for the Turkish Navy, with possible exports to other countries. The project covers the acquisition of 8 ( + 4 optional) Patrol and Anti-Submarine Warfare Ships. MILGEM corvettes will be sold to any interested allied and friendly countries. After the completion of the MILGEM program, the next project will be the design, development and construction of a national frigate, a larger ship. Milgem, as a national naval development program, is seen as a precursor of the TF-2000. This program will be open to cooperation with interested foreign companies.

F-100 - Milgem frigate

The first eight Milgem class warships, from the Turkish words Milli Gemi (National Ship), are classified as corvettes, while the last four are the F-100 class and are classified as frigates. The F-100 class will be slightly larger in terms of dimensions and will be equipped with the Mk.41 VLS and ESSM, along with other additional systems for improved multirole combat capabilities. The Mk.41 VLS (Vertical Launching System) is capable of firing ESSM (Evolved Sea Sparrow), VLA (Vertical Launch Anti-Submarine Rocket), and Standard missiles, and the F-100 class frigates will be used as a testing platform for the new class of four indigenous AAW frigates of the Turkish Navy, known as the TF-2000 program. The experience and technological know-how gained with the Milgem project will play an important role in determining the design characteristics and the development process of the TF-2000 class frigates, as well as the selection of the systems and equipment which will be used on these ships.