The one “loaded” with missiles: Turkey is building its first air defense destroyer

Turkey begins construction of its first air defense destroyer as part of the TF-2000 naval project.

As stated on the official website of ASFAT (Askeri Fabrika ve Tersane İşletme AŞ, Administration of Military Factories and Shipyards), a subsidiary of the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Turkey, the first domestic destroyer of the TF-2000 series, which was developed by the Project Bureau of the Naval Forces Command and Construction which was decided to start at the meeting of the Defense Industry Executive Committee (SSİK), will be laid at the Istanbul Shipyard under the leadership of the main contractor ASFAT, ArmiyaInform reports.

Actually, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the need for such ships two years ago.

"Turkey intends to strengthen the power of its navy… With the help of the TF-2000 destroyer with an air defense system, the construction of which will begin at the Istanbul shipyard, we will gradually provide air defense of our country from the sea.”, – stressed the Turkish leader.

According to the Turkish portal MarineDeal, the TF-2000 HSHM will have the basic functional capability of using the sea as a shield to detect short/medium/long-range guided missiles and ballistic missiles at low/medium/high altitudes and destroy them before they approach the mainland (except for ballistic missiles).

The functionality of the future watercraft should include the ability to conduct air defense (HSH), anti-submarine (DSH) and surface (S/S) combat operations at a long distance. At the same time, it will receive the means and capabilities to effectively perform the tasks of non-combat operations, such as peacekeeping, evacuation of non-combatants, countering manifestations of international terrorism, preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and maritime control operations.

Tactical requirements – the technical characteristics of the destroyer of the TF-2000 series are put forward as follows:

– a maximum speed of at least 28 knots, a range of at least 5 thousand nautical miles at a speed of 18 knots and an average duration of movement of 5 thousand hours per year;

– unlimited operational capacity in sea conditions up to 5 points (on a nine-point scale of sea turbulence), which is defined by international standards as  "Considerable excitement";

– the ability to carry out operations for at least 45 days without integrating logistics (except for refueling);

– the ability to work autonomously for 180 days without entering home bases;

– service life of at least 40 years;

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– availability of system programs to reduce radar cross section (RCA), underwater acoustic, magnetic and infrared (I/R) signatures;

– should be designed according to the main design features, such as the durable structure of the hull structure within the framework of high survivability.

The destroyer TF-2000 HSH, which will have an overall length of 149 m, a beam of 21.3 m, a draft of 5.75 m and a displacement of 8,300 tons, will be equipped with a main propulsion plant in the CODOG configuration, consisting of two LM2500 gas turbines and two diesel engines.

The TF-2000 will use various missiles developed in Turkey. Air defense missiles will consist of HİSAR-D (medium range), SAPAN B1/B2 (actual performance not released, possibly medium range), SİPER Block 1D and SİPER Block 2D (100+ km and 150+ km). At the same time, surface-to-surface missiles – ATMACA anti-ship missile and GEZGİN long-range cruise missiles will be deployed with a vertical (mine) launch option.

The ship will be equipped with an effective long-range anti-aircraft defense system based on multi-purpose phased-array radar (ÇAFRAD). The destroyer will be equipped with an Airborne Long Range Radar (UMR) that can produce aerial images from a minimum range of 200 miles and work with an integrated IFF system that allows three-dimensional surveillance of enemy aircraft and the detection of modern G/Ms.

The ship will have an integrated hydroacoustic system (Sonar Suit) for anti-missile defense purposes, an anti-torpedo defense system and a torpedo system against underwater targets.

The TF-2000 HSHM ship will be able to land 2 medium cargo transport helicopters with a maximum take-off weight of at least 15 tons and 2 ship-borne unmanned aerial vehicles (GIAVs) with fixed or rotary wings for reconnaissance/attack missions. For this, a fixed platform and a hangar, an arsenal of spare weapons and the possibility of fuel supply will be available. It will have level 1 certification, which allows working in meteorological conditions by instruments day and night.

As the main material of the hull and superstructures, high-strength shipbuilding steel of domestic production is expected to be used. Aluminum material will be used in the superstructures of the deck superstructures to reduce weight as much as the strength requirements will allow.

The ship is said to have living space and a service area for at least 200 people.

< p>It is especially emphasized that during the construction of the first destroyer of the TF-2000 HSHM series, a high level of localization will be achieved: thanks to the planning of the level of localization, that is, the confirmation of the production of elements of the future ship on the territory of Turkey. In this particular project, the ship should demonstrate the growing capabilities of the Republic of Turkey in the defense industry by 85% in the elements of its design and armament.