ARES Shipyard successfully launched the first of 16 search and rescue boats under construction for the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure's Coast Guard Authority (KEGM). The shipyard's board chairman Kerim Kalafatoğlu confirmed that the successfully completed vessel is ready for the next phase of production. The development represents an important step in strengthening Turkey's maritime security and rescue operation capacity.

ARES Shipyard specializes in the design and construction of maritime vessels. The shipyard possesses extensive experience in producing operational naval craft for coast guard units, maritime authorities, and government institutions worldwide. Kalafatoğlu emphasized that this milestone demonstrates the shipyard's capability to design and deliver maritime vessels to international standards. ARES Shipyard has successfully completed and delivered 188 fast patrol boats in previous projects.

The ARES 18 SAR boat is a maritime vessel specifically designed for search and rescue operations. Such boats play a critical role in emergency response, accident response, and personnel rescue operations at sea. Search and rescue boats must be equipped with high speed, maneuverability, and reliable communication systems, and must be capable of operating effectively during night operations and adverse weather conditions. The ARES 18 SAR boat design complies with international maritime security standards.

Turkish defense and security industry has achieved significant localization rates in maritime vessel production. Shipyards such as ARES employ domestic technology and engineering expertise in the design and construction of maritime platforms. This project reinforces Turkey's ability to meet its maritime security requirements through domestic capacity and self-reliance. The 16-boat contract is part of KEGM's strategy to modernize maritime operations and demonstrates Turkish shipyards' capability to successfully execute such projects.

The contract signed between ARES Shipyard and KEGM in October 2025 represents a continuation of the shipyard's previous successes. The keel-laying ceremony, attended by Coast Guard Authority Director General Mustafa Bankaoğlu and ARES Shipyard General Manager Oğuzhan Pehlivanlı, was held with broad participation from project stakeholders and technical teams. This contract is a concrete indicator of Turkey's efforts to strengthen its maritime security infrastructure and marks the beginning of a new success story following the shipyard's 188 fast patrol boat project.