Istanbul Shipyard today launched the lead ship of the I-class frigates, the future TCG Istanbul (pennant number: F-515). The ceremony hosted VIP guests including President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ministry of Defence Hulusi Akar, Chief of the Turkish Armed Forces and Chief of the Turkish Navy. Pakistan Navy’s third ADA-class corvette’s (MILGEM) first welding was also conducted during the ceremony
The launch ceremony was planned to be conducted on 17th January, but it was postponed due to the heavy snow in Istanbul.
Turkey’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, emphasized the importance of indgenization in defence industry during his speech at the ceremony. He critised the direct and indirect sanctions imposed to Turkey and outlined the indigenous products developed by the Turkish Defence Industry. He also promulgated the efforts and talks on the indigenous Aircraft Carrier which will strengthen Turkish Navy extraordinarily.
Head of Turkish Defence Industry, Prof. Ismail Demir clarified the blurred subjects about the future TCG Istanbul during his speech. He announced that an indigenous vertical launch system named “MDAS” which is currently under development, will be fitted to the Istanbul frigate, the ship will be equipped with indigenous anti-ship missile “Atmaca” and locally made close-in weapon system “Gokdeniz” as well.
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