The Turkish government took a major step forward in its plans to upgrade the navy's frigate fleet when it requested the purchase of six MK 41 vertical-launch systems (VLS) and their associated electronics from the United States. Two of the systems will be carried on board the MEKO 200TN Track II-A frigates Barbaros and Orucreis , pictured here. The new MK 41 launcher will bring these frigates up to the more capable Track II-B standard, replacing the MK 29 Sea Sparrow launcher carried abaft the twin stacks and allowing them to launch Evolved Sea Sparrow missiles. Sister ships Salihreis and Kemalreis already carry the VLS system but will have their modules upgraded from Baseline IV to Baseline VII configuration as part of the frigate upgrade process. The other four VLS modules that were requested will arm Turkish Oliver Hazard Perry -class guided missile frigates that are being upgraded under the "Genesis"-frigate program. Turkey hopes to eventually upgrade all ten of its Perry -class frigates with the MK 41 system, including two frigates that were approved for transfer late in 2007.
