The fourth I-class multi-purpose frigate, TCG İçel (F-518), is nearing the launch, not long after the second and third ships, TCG İzmir and TCG İzmit.
Haber Denizde claimed that the last of the I-class frigates’ first batch is nearing the launch date in the “days” range. Months ago, at the beginning of 2025, the second and third I-class frigates TCG İzmir (F-516) and TCG İzmit (F-517) were launched.
Following the first batch, four other ships as TCG Akdeniz (F-519), TCG Karadeniz (F-520), TCG Ege (F-521), and TCG Marmara (F-522), will be built. The second batch will likely be identical to the first in terms of equipment and layout.
I-class Frigates
I-class is the second increment of the MİLGEM programme as a class of multi-purpose frigates. The frigates, displacing 3150 tonnes, have high amounts of localisation in both sensors and weaponry compared to the Ada-class corvettes.
The anti-air firepower mainly consists of 16 MİDLAS VLS cells for HİSAR-D RF medium-range air defence missiles. Other missiles like SİPER and SAPAN G/M-1 (Quad-pack successor to HİSAR-D RF) are expected to be available in future. The close-in defence is provided by GÖKDENİZ 100/35/StA CIWS.
Anti-surface firepower includes 16 ATMACA anti-ship missiles at long range (Up to 250 km), a 76 mm naval gun, and a pair of STAMP 200/25 RCWS.
Sensors include the CENK 400-N S-band AESA searching radar (Replacing SMART-S), ALPER 200-N LPI radar, PIRI-100 IRST, AKREP 300-N fire control radar, and FERSAH 100N/MF hull-mounted sonar, alongside others developed by ASELSAN.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor:Özgür Ekşi
