Wikipedia has some background information on Type-23; some of the ships have undergone an upgrade (more specifically, an MLU), whereas some of the hulls have just had a Life extension upgrade (overhauling of necessary equipment and machinery to keep the ship operationally safe and sound beyond the planned life). As a result, this page does not contain the common information; instead, refer to Wikipedia.

This is neither the Turkish Navy’s first look at the Type-23, nor is it the Turkish Navy’s first evaluation of a second-hand platform for flotilla extension. Since 2010, many evaluation, inspection, and feasibility studies have been conducted on a number of platforms that are being used by other fleets and are slated for retirement. One well-known instance was adding more Oliver Hazard Perry hulls to the Gabya Class flotilla that was operating as an air defence frigate in the Turkish Navy. Additionally, Type 23 was presented to TN in the 1990s with a unique weaponry package but lost to MEKO 200;

Type 23 with sea zenith was presented to the Turkish Navy in the 1990s
Image Source: Ibrahim Sunnetci

The ship has a special propulsion system that has not been found on TN’s warships up to this point. It is called the CODELOG system, and it consists of two RR gas turbines for reaching high speeds and four diesel gen-sets for cruising at lower speeds. The ship’s air defence and point-defense capabilities aren’t much better than those of the Istanbul Class or the current Gabya-Class. However, Type 23 has more endurance at high sea states than Istanbul Class frigates (Type 23 is predicted to be operational at 6/7 and endurance up to 9) and has a longer autonomous range (7500 compared to 4700 NM).

The ship’s foremost contribution to Turkish Navy would be the most recent active towed, variable depth sonar Sonar 2087 and bow mounted Sonar 2150. And only for this reason, it might make sense for the future LHD Task Force to guard the flotilla from undersea dangers and perform ASW operations in blue waters. There is no immediate need for Sonar 2087 because Aselsan’s DUFAS (Low frequency, variable depth sonar) is undergoing tests and investigations to build a multi-static sonar system for TF-2000 and other platforms, along with sonars mounted on unmanned systems. Although Anadolu LHD is anticipated to enter service by the end of 2023 following rigorous sea testing, there is now a sense of urgency because the building of the Istanbul Class and the Barbaros Class MLU have both been years behind schedule. Moreover, TF2000 is not expected in active service before 2030, Type 23’s could be an interim – urgent solution to save the day, not the tomorrow of TN.

According to the most recent information, Turkish Navy is less likely to purchase Type-23 due to “alienation” to main ship subsystems. To upgrade the Combat Management System with ADVENT, the Fire Control Radar with Aselsan’s AKREP, the Torpedo Decoys with Hzr TAKS’s countermeasures, and the 114mm/30mm weapon systems with MKE 76mm and Aselsan’s stabilised cannons, an upgrade-modernization-commonization approach was contemplated. The platform would be difficult for the Turkish Navy in this situation because it is not possible to change the propulsion system, which is kept standard in the other ships. (Classes in Gabya, MEKO, Ada, and Istanbul employ MTU / LM2500 with largely standard propulsion-related equipment)

If upgraded, Type 23s are not anticipated to enter service before 2024. They are anticipated to be delivered in batches of two, with the first two ships arriving and being upgraded before the next two ships arrive and enter service no earlier than 2026. The Royal Navy, also, does not intend to let go of Type 23 in whole as Russian invasion of Ukraine warms the arctic waters.

The post On premises of flotilla expansion: Turkish Navy evaluates transfer of Royal Navy’s Type-23 (Duke Class) first appeared on DefenceHub.

According to information obtained from numerous trustworthy sources, a new consortium made up of members of STM and TAIS (the latter of which is also a consortium made up of Sefine, Sedef, and Anadolu shipyards) won the tender. Two bidders were the top runners in terms of bid value and evaluation point.

By giving the project to a corporation that is partially state owned—STM—and that has experience on the platform and a financial assurance, it is intended to reduce the risks associated with management and finance, respectively. Additionally, STM performed significant contractor tasks for the F-515, Istanbul frigate and the Ada class corvettes during the contract and detail design phases as well as the construction phase. Additionally, STM is now working on building the Ukrainian Navy Corvette project at RMK Shipyard.

The planned workload is as follows:

STM will be in charge of planning the fitting out and associated purchases of components, dealing with suppliers, and generating and managing technical packages (which were initially required to be supplied at the winner). STM will continue to serve as the main contractor in this case.
The entire construction process will be owned by TAIS members, who will also be in charge of organising subcontractors, raw materials, and supplies. Simultaneous constructions are planned at each member shipyard by shift over a period of several months to ensure that subcontractors operate effectively.

Following the creation of a new consortium, a business that is partially controlled by STM and TAIS, a financial strategy has yet to be defined.

The post STM & TAIS bags the deal: construction of 6th, 7th and 8th Milgem ships will commence soon first appeared on DefenceHub.

In a recent interview on CNN Turk, Roketsan CEO Murat Ikinci stated, “Atmaca and Cakir cruise missiles will be used together in coastal defence”. Indicating that truck-based Atmaca and Cakir cruise missiles will enter the inventory of the Turkish Armed Forces. With the introduction of both missiles, Turkey will have one of the world’s most formidable coastal defence networks.

Though the two missiles are similar, there are some interesting differences. The Atmaca is a long-range (220+ km) anti-ship cruise missile with a 220 kg high-explosive penetrating warhead. It makes use of a variety of sensors to target enemy ships with great precision. Upon approaching enemy ships, it enters ultra sea-skimming mode to avoid detection. It has 3D mission planning capabilities and can disengage, reengage, or engage new targets via data-link. The Atmaca was purpose-built as an anti-ship missile, although a land warfare variant is in development.

In contrast, the Cakir is a smaller missile with a range of 150+ km. Unlike the Atmaca, the Cakir has many variants, including the Cakir AS (anti-ship). The Cakir AS has a warhead weight of 70 kg, which is significantly less than that of the Atmaca. Though as a new generation cruise missile, it has improved capabilities such as the ability to travel in swarms, along with all the features of the Atmaca. The Cakir is also highly versatile due to its compatibility with air platforms and small naval vessels.

The Atmaca and Cakir will form a nearly impenetrable zone stretching more than 200 km away from the Turkish coastline. The differences between the two missiles mean that they can complement each other, with the Atmaca targeting larger vessels from a greater distance and the Cakir as a force multiplier that can harass any vessel which gets past the Atmaca’s line of defence.

With the addition of coastal Atmaca and Cakir batteries, Turkey will further secure its “blue homeland”. Combined with the upcoming Gezgin long-range cruise missile and the Tayfun SRBM, the Atmaca and Cakir will be part of an impressive layered coastal defence network.

The post Turkey’s coastal defences will be bolstered with Cakir and Atmaca missiles first appeared on DefenceHub.

The 3M22 Zircon is a scramjet-powered hypersonic cruise missile. It is capable of speeds of up to Mach 9 and a reported range of 1,000 kilometers. It is designed for use onboard submarines and surface vessels, though a ground-launched variant is also in development. Though intended to be used as an anti-ship missile, it can also target ground assets and locations.

The Zircon joins the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal as the second hypersonic missile and the third hypersonic weapon in the Russian inventory (not including ICBMs). The Kinzhal is an air-launched missile with a longer range of 3,000 kilometers as well as an alleged maximum speed of Mach 12. Like the Zircon, it is capable of striking both naval and ground targets. According to Defence Minister Shoigu, the Kinzhal has already been used three times in Ukraine, hitting vital targets with relative impunity.

The post Russia Adds Zircon Hypersonic Missiles To Inventory. first appeared on DefenceHub.

The sea trials were conducted on board TCG Beykoz, a Burak-class corvette. It is expected that future Turkish vessels which require a 76mm cannon will use MKE’s product. This would include the Istanbul-class frigates, one of which has been launched. Vessels requiring replacements for worn Oto Melera 76mm guns will likely receive MKE’s alternative.

It is understood that MKE is also developing a 127mm naval gun for use in large ships such as the upcoming TF-2000 destroyer.

Millî Savunma Bakanlığının tasarım ve performans sorumluluğunda İstanbul Tersanesi Komutanlığı ve @MKEgovtr ile birlikte geliştirilen 76/62 mm Millî Deniz Topu, kara atışlarının ardından liman ve deniz testlerini de başarıyla tamamladı.https://t.co/vcd8GJpKki#MSB pic.twitter.com/E1hnX22vnl

— T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) August 19, 2022

The post MKE Concludes 76mm Cannon Sea Trials first appeared on DefenceHub.

The TCG Anadolu is a modified derivative of Navantia’s Juan Carlos Class. Built by Sedef Shipyard, most of it is domestically made. It features Havelsan’s GENESIS-ADVENT CMS, as well as many sub-systems from Aselsan. Its length is 232 meters, with a beam of 32 meters. Depending on the configuration, displacement could exceed 27,000 tons. Unlike nuclear-powered supercarriers, the diesel-powered Anadolu has a limited range of about 17,000 km.

TCG Anadolu will become the navy’s flagship, and in many ways, it will serve as a true mothership. As an amphibious assault ship, it has the capability to launch and sustain overseas operations. It can carry dozens of tanks, APCs or ZAHA marine assault vehicles. Troop capacity sits at over 1,000. There is also room for four landing crafts. All in all, the TCG Anadolu will be a great addition to the Turkish Navy’s amphibious warfare fleet.

Originally planned to only host helicopters, the ski jump was not to be included. However, as part of the F-35 program, the Turkish military later decided that F-35Bs could be acquired, which could use the ski jumps. In mid-2019 Turkey was formally removed from the F-35 programme. This degraded the allure of the Anadolu overnight. Its future role as a light carrier was jeopardised. These qualms didn’t last long. Soon after, Baykar, the manufacturer of the famed TB2, revealed two new drones. The TB3 and the MIUS/Kizilelma. Both will be able to take off and land on the Anadolu. The TB3 is an evolution of the TB2. With foldable wings and a larger carrying capacity, it is purpose-built as a naval version of the TB2, presumably offering similar air-to-ground capabilities. The TB3 will be optimal for overseas terror operations, for example in Libya or Somalia, where its loitering time and precision-strike abilities will be useful. The MIUS, otherwise known as Kizilelma, is a much more capable aircraft. The single-engine jet-powered MIUS will be stealthy and will carry an AESA radar. With the capability to detect and destroy enemy jets, the MIUS will be the most menacing aircraft in the Turkish inventory until the introduction of the TFX fighter. Though it will not have the huge carrying capacity of modern fighter jets, on paper, it could theoretically defeat 5th gen fighters. This will be largely dependent on its AI and detection distance. If designed right, the MIUS could make the F-35 programme expulsion a blessing in disguise.

Turkey’s navy is going through a massive transformation. New frigates, submarines and destroyers will complete the modernisation of Turkey’s core combat fleet. Innovative armed drone vessels such as the ULAQ will change the rules and prepare the Turkish Navy for the next evolution of naval warfare. Interestingly, if the MIUS proves itself, it would also spark a renaissance for light carriers. TCG Anadolu could go down in history as the first drone carrier, the first of many to come.

The post Turkish Navy To Receive Its First Carrier Soon first appeared on DefenceHub.

Anduril, an American company, will work with small to medium Australian enterprises to manufacture the drone subs entirely in Australia.

Unmanned systems are quickly becoming infamous for their advantages in modern combat. As AI gets better, the use of unmanned vehicles in ground and sea combat will rise.

The post Australia Kicks off Drone Submarine Program first appeared on DefenceHub.