Milgem

Milgem ("Ada ( _tr. Island) class" corvette / "F-100 class" frigate), from the Turkish words "Milli Gemi (National Ship)", is the name of one of two Turkish national warship programs (the other being the TF-2000 project); the purpose of which is to build a modern littoral combat warship with indigenous capabilities, extensively using the principles of stealth technology in its design. Construction of the first Milgem class corvette, F-511 TCG "Heybeliada", began on 26 July 2005. TCG "Heybeliada" was put to sea with a ceremony on September 27, 2008 (during which the construction of F-512 TCG "Büyükada", the second Milgem class warship, also began) and is scheduled to be completed by 25 October 2010, when it will start undergoing full sea trials before being officially commissioned. F-511 TCG "Heybeliada" is expected to enter service in early 2011. [tr [http://www.dzkk.tsk.mil.tr/TURKCE/modernizasyon.asp?strAnaFrame=modernizasyon&strIFrame=MilgemProjesi "MİLGEM" KORVET VE DSH GEMİSİ PROJESİ] ] A total of twelve Milgem class warships (eight corvettes and four frigates) will be built for the Turkish Navy, with possible exports to other countries. [ [http://www.dzkk.tsk.mil.tr/TURKCE/modernizasyon.asp?strAnaFrame=modernizasyon&strIFrame=MilgemProjesi Turkish Navy Official Website: Milgem Project] ]

Evolution of the Milgem program

When the Milgem project was officially launched in 1996, the initial plan was to locally build MEKO A-100 corvettes of Blohm+Voss, a German shipbuilding company which specializes in building high technology warships and submarines.

In the early 2000s, the partnership plan with Blohm+Voss was shelved and the Turkish Navy decided to design and build a completely indigenous corvette. Istanbul Naval Shipyard Command executes and coordinates the design, development and construction works of the Milgem project since 12 March 2004.

The design concept and mission profile of Milgem bears similarities with the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS-1) developed by Lockheed Martin as the first member of the next generation of USN warships.

Ada class corvette / F-100 class frigate

Eight of the twelve Milgem class warships will be named the Ada class and will be classified as corvettes, while four of them will be named the F-100 class and will be classified as frigates.

The F-100 class will be equipped with the Mk.41 VLS and ESSM, along with other additional systems for improved multirole combat capabilities. The Mk.41 VLS (Vertical Launching System) is capable of firing RIM-66 Standard, RIM-162 ESSM and VL ASROC missiles, and the F-100 class frigates will be used as a testing platform for the new class of four indigenous AAW frigates of the Turkish Navy, known as the TF-2000 program. The experience and technological know-how gained with the Milgem project will play an important role in determining the design characteristics and the development process of the TF-2000 class frigates, as well as the selection of the systems and equipment which will be used on these ships.

Launch

TCG "Heybeliada" (F-511), the lead ship of the Milgem class corvettes and frigates, was launched on September 27, 2008, with a ceremony that was attended by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. According to the planned schedule, TCG "Heybeliada" will enter service in early 2011, when the sea trials and tests of the weapon systems will be completed. [ [http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/28/content_10124583.htm China View: Turkey launches first national warship] ]

Meanwhile, production of the second Milgem class warship, TCG "Büyükada" (F-512) has also commenced on September 27, 2008. F-512 will incorporate the ASELSAN radar (instead of the EADS TRS-3D) and also use the Mk.41 VLS. F-512 will be the prototype for the F-100 class multi-role frigates.

Export

According to a CNN Türk news report on September 27, 2008, the navies of Canada, Pakistan, Ukraine and a number of South American countries have expressed interest in acquiring Milgem class warships. [ [http://vod.cnnturk.com/a1200/d1/cnnturk/haber/26.09.2008/milli_gemi.wmv CNN Türk: News video of TCG Heybeliada being put to sea on September 27, 2008 (in Turkish)] ]

Image gallery

ee also

*TF2000 class frigate
*Turkish Navy

References and notes

External links

* [http://www.dzkk.tsk.mil.tr/TURKCE/modernizasyon.asp?strAnaFrame=modernizasyon&strIFrame=MilgemProjesi Turkish Navy Official Website: MILGEM Project]
* [http://www.ssm.gov.tr/EN/Projeler/denizaraclari/prjgrpharpgemisi/Pages/milgem__D.aspx Undersecretariat for Turkish Defence Industries: Patrol & Anti-Submarine Warfare Ship (MILGEM) Project]
* [http://vod.cnnturk.com/a1200/d1/cnnturk/haber/26.09.2008/milli_gemi.wmv CNN Türk: News video of TCG Heybeliada being put to sea on September 27, 2008 (in Turkish)]
* [http://www.fikirbozan.net/milgem/ Web blog on the MILGEM project (in Turkish)]
* [http://www.dzkk.tsk.mil.tr Official Turkish Navy Website]
* [http://www.turkishnavy.net Turkish Navy]