At TEKNOFEST Blue Homeland (Mavi Vatan), two of the Turkish Navy’s most advanced warships — TCG İstanbul and TCG Oruçreis — were displayed side by side, connected by a symbolic bridge. The scene captured Türkiye’s journey from modernization to full-scale indigenous naval production, marking a milestone in the country’s defense industry.

Frigates form the backbone of any modern navy, serving in air, surface, submarine, and electronic warfare missions. Developed with maximum utilization of Türkiye’s domestic defense capabilities, these vessels now embody the country’s ambition to create a self-reliant, high-impact naval force.

Commissioned in 1997 as a German design, TCG Oruçreis has undergone a complete transformation through the Barbaros-Class Half-Life Modernization Project, led by ASELSAN and HAVELSAN. The upgrades include new fire control radars, the ADVENT Combat Management System, advanced communication infrastructure, and locally produced sensor suites. These enhancements have made TCG Oruçreis one of the most modern and combat-capable ships in the Turkish fleet, capable of longer-range strikes, faster data exchange, and stronger self-defense.

Meanwhile, the MİLGEM Project, which began with ADA-class corvettes, has entered a new phase with TCG İstanbul — Türkiye’s first I-Class frigate and one of the world’s top five most advanced frigates. Built by STM as the main contractor, the ship boasts an impressive 80% localization rate and integrates cutting-edge technologies: Roketsan’s ATMACA Anti-Ship Missile, ASELSAN’s GÖKDENİZ Close-In Weapon System, the MİDLAS Vertical Launch System, and the CENK-S AESA Radar. The ADVENT Combat Management System, developed by HAVELSAN, enhances operational awareness and mission effectiveness.

With a length of 113 meters and a beam of 14.4 meters, TCG İstanbul is designed for anti-submarine, anti-surface, air defense, reconnaissance, and early warning operations. The project involved over 220 companies, including 80 subcontractors, highlighting the strength and integration of Türkiye’s defense ecosystem. The I-Class Frigate Program, now expanded to eight ships, is being jointly executed by TAIS and STM across three private shipyards.

The side-by-side display of TCG İstanbul and TCG Oruçreis at TEKNOFEST Blue Homeland stands as a powerful representation of Türkiye’s naval engineering excellence and strategic independence. Together, these frigates embody the “strike power of the Blue Homeland,” underscoring how national defense innovation and domestic production have reshaped Türkiye’s role on the seas.