MIDDLE EAST, NORTH AFRICA MILGEM Project Delivered

OE Watch Commentary: On 4 November 2018 ’s MILGEM Source: “Milli savaş gemisi Burgazada, Deniz Kuvvetleri’ne (National Vessel) project delivered its third Ada-class corvette, the teslim edildi (National warship Burgazada delivered to Naval TCG Burgazada (F-513), to the Turkish Naval Forces Command. Forces),” Anadolu Ajansı, 4 November 2018. https://www.aa.com. The MILGEM project was launched in 2004 to build four Ada-class tr/tr/turkiye/milli-savas-gemisi-burgazada-deniz-kuvvetlerine- at the Shipyard Command. The accompanying teslim-edildi-/1302545 excerpted article from the state-owned Anadolu Ajansı provides TCG Burgazada F-513, the third Ada-class corvette built as part information about this corvette and the delivery ceremony during which of the MILGEM project was delivered to Naval Forces Command Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Vice-President Fuat Oktay, with a ceremony attended by President Erdoğan. Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and other senior Turkish officials were present. …the construction of the Burgazada corvette began on 17 December 2014, at Istanbul Naval Shipyard Command. The 29 According to the article, the corvette is 99.5 meters long, 14.5 meters blocks of the corvette were built in 18 months and assembled on wide and capable of reaching speeds of over 29 nautical miles per hour. the slipway. The ship was launched into the sea on 18 June 2016 It has a helicopter platform and the capability of undertaking surface upon its completion, 3 months prior to the planned date on the warfare, defense, reconnaissance and surveillance, command contracts. The corvette is 99.5 meters long and 14.5 meters wide, it and control and active asymmetrical warfare. At the ceremony, Minister weights 2400 tons. Akar stated that MILGEM and new submarine projects are significant The ship, which is capable of speeding above 29 nautical miles for Turkey’s security and deterrence. According to Turkish officials, per hour, has a propeller-driven propulsion system with gas the MILGEM project is able to use 65 percent of locally made material, turbines and diesel engines reaching 35 megawatts power. an important number to consider alongside the Turkish government’s determination to become a self-sufficient country with its defense The ship… 6485 kilometers cruising range and is designed to be industry. Turkey has accelerated the strengthening of its naval forces able to remain in water for 10 days… The Burgazada corvette is able to undertake surface battles, underwater battles; active air with new ships equipped with the latest technology, especially after the defense, reconnaissance and surveillance, command and control, perceived threats in the Eastern Mediterranean and Aegean Seas. End and active asymmetrical defense operations. OE Watch Commentary (Gunduz) “The Burgazada corvette is able to undertake surface battles, underwater battles; active air defense, reconnaissance and surveillance, command and control, and active asymmetrical defense operations.”

U.S. Navy Cmdr. Russell Caldwell waves to the Turkish corvette TCG (F 511) from aboard the guided missile USS Ross (DDG 71) in the during a passing exercise Sept. 2, 2014. Source: MC2 John Herman [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:U.S._Navy_Cmdr._Russell_Caldwell_waves_to_the_Turkish_corvette_TCG_Heybeliada_(F_511)_from_aboard_the_guided_missile_destroyer_USS_Ross_(DDG_71)_in_the_ Mediterranean_Sea_during_a_passing_exercise_Sept_140902-N-IY142-159.jpg. OE Watch | January 2019 48