ASFAT has put the full armament configuration of the Hisar-class Offshore Patrol Vessel on display at the IDEF25 defence exhibition held in Istanbul.
The full armament loadout option for the Hisar-class OPVs includes the addition of eight MİDLAS vertical launch cells, Atmaca anti-ship missiles, and ROKETSAN ASW rocket launcher.
The first two ships in the class lack said armament, while the next ships to be built by Dearsan and Desan are understood to be set to receive said additions.
The fact that there are talks with Romania on selling the lead ship TCG Akhisar (P-1220) while the next two ships were shown with the same loadout previously suggests that the Turkish Navy could be looking for extra firepower on its Hisar-class OPVs in the face of the volatile geopolitics.
The most interesting part of the configuration, the 8-cell MİDLAS package, is likely to be utilised for Hisar-D RF medium-range air defence missiles for area defence capabilities. Hisar-D RF was tested from the TCG İstanbul (F-515) frigate in 2024. Additionally, ROKETSAN is working on the SAPAN G/M-1 missile with quadpack and AESA seeker features as an upgrade. When it comes to MIDLAS, Turkish Navy prefers to install its ships with strike capacity.
Hisar-class OPVs
Hisar-class OPV is a development of the MİLGEM Ada-class corvette and is largely identical to an outside observer. However, there are many equipment differences as the Hisar-class is primarily meant for patrolling missions, whereas the Ada-class was designed as an ASW corvette.
The CODAG propulsion of the Ada-class was swapped for the more fuel-efficient CODELDOD propulsion using electric engines powered by smaller diesel generators. This has allowed an endurance of 21 days, % 50% more than Ada-class.
The armament is a rather complex subject as the Hisar-class has been designed as a Fitted-for but Not With (FFBNW) type. For example, the first two ships are only armed with a 76 mm naval gun from MKE and two TARGAN RCWS from Unirobotics, but the design has provisions for the aforementioned extra armament.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor:Özgür Ekşi
