Turkey’s new Istanbul-class frigates are known by multiple names—the TF-100, MILGEM II, Istif class, or simply the I class. They are the most advanced ships yet to stem from the 20-year-old MILGEM National Ship program. Built at Istanbul Naval Shipyard, the class namesake Istanbul was laid down in 2017, launched in 2021, and commissioned on 19 January 2024. Three sister ships, to be named the İzmir, İzmit, and İçel, are being built for service by the end of the decade at the Anadolu, Sedef, and Sefine shipyards, respectively. Four more sisters are on order, bringing the number planned to eight.
The MILGEM program began life in early 2004 with the aim of maximizing indigenous naval capabilities and long-term self-sufficiency in Turkey’s shipbuilding industry. The name is a blended acronym derived from the Turkish words for “national” and “ship” (milli and gemi). The initial MILGEM effort resulted in the 2,300-ton Heybeliada- or Ada-class corvettes that entered service beginning in 2011. These proved successful domestically and on the export market, leading directly to the larger Istanbul design.
The current Istanbul frigates displace 3,000 tons and measure 371 feet long, with a 47-foot beam and 13-foot draft. The ships carry a crew of 123 and were designed from the outset as multipurpose warships, optimized for antisurface, antiair, and antisubmarine operations. To enhance stealth, their radar cross sections have been minimized, along with acoustic, infrared, and magnetic signatures. The ships and their systems had a 75-percent indigenous production target that was surpassed with the very first frigate, which is said to be 80 percent domestic.
Armament consists of 16 canister-launched Atmaca antiship missiles, which have a range of more than 120–nautical miles (nm) and are carried amidships in a four-by-four configuration. A Midlas vertical launch system (VLS) is fitted forward of the bridge and consists of 16 cells, housing Hisar surface-to-air missiles with a range of around 15 nm. Longer-range surface-to-air missiles, such as the Siper, are planned for the near future. Gun mounts include a 76-mm dual-purpose cannon mounted forward of the VLS and two 25-mm remotely operated stabilized guns, one fitted port and one starboard. A single aft-facing 35-mm Gokdeniz close-in weapon system is carried atop the helicopter hangar. Two rigid-hull inflatable boats are carried for a variety of missions. For submarine hunting, the Istanbul operates one S-70B Seahawk helicopter and is fitted with 324-mm tubes carrying lightweight torpedoes.
Ship sensors include a Turkish hull-mounted sonar suite, a domestically produced active electronically scanned array surveillance radar, and a low-probability-of-intercept navigation radar. Electro-optics and a full suite of electronic support measures, electronic countermeasures, and decoy systems
are fitted.
Propulsion consists of one LM2500 gas turbine and two diesel engines, powering two shafts with controllable-pitch propellers. This enables a top speed of more than 29 knots and a maximum range of roughly 5,700 nm cruising at 14 knots.
