ASFAT General Manager Prof. Dr. Mustafa İlbaş shared important updates with the Haber7 team regarding several major defense projects, ranging from the TF-2000 air defense destroyer to the MİLDEN national submarine program. In his remarks, İlbaş underlined ASFAT’s extensive industrial ecosystem and highlighted the company’s growing role not only in production but also in sustainability, maintenance and long-term operational readiness. With the capability to manage 27 military factories and 10 shipyards, ASFAT has established a nationwide footprint that supports Türkiye’s defense industry across land, air and naval domains.

According to İlbaş, ASFAT’s strength lies not only in developing new platforms, but also in ensuring that they remain mission-ready at all times. From specialized facilities such as the 3rd Air Maintenance Factory in Ankara, which focuses on avionics and radar systems, to shipyards capable of large-scale naval construction, ASFAT operates a broad network that can rapidly adapt to technological developments. This infrastructure gives the company a unique position in sustaining defense capabilities while also supporting the development of new-generation platforms for the Turkish Armed Forces.

One of the most significant programs highlighted by İlbaş was the TF-2000 air defense destroyer. He described it as one of the most valuable projects assigned to ASFAT by the Defense Industry Executive Committee in 2025. The approximately 150-meter-long warship is expected to become a flagship and protective shield for the Turkish Navy. İlbaş stated that the block keel-laying ceremony at Istanbul Shipyard is expected to take place soon, and that the project is progressing successfully in line with schedule. Equipped with indigenous systems developed by companies such as ASELSAN and ROKETSAN, TF-2000 is intended to serve as a powerful “Steel Dome at Sea,” capable of countering a wide range of aerial threats, including ballistic missiles. More than a conventional frigate, the ship is expected to provide Türkiye with a globally credible maritime deterrent.

Another key project is MİLDEN, the National Submarine program, which represents Türkiye’s ambition to strengthen its underwater warfare capabilities through a fully indigenous solution. İlbaş noted that the Phase-1 process has already begun for the advanced platform, which is planned to feature an air-independent propulsion system based on hydrogen and hybrid technologies. The submarine will be built at Gölcük Shipyard, and the target year for the project is 2032. Once completed, MİLDEN is expected to significantly reinforce Türkiye’s strategic depth and underwater dominance while reducing dependence on foreign suppliers. İlbaş also addressed export-related criticism, emphasizing that ASFAT’s first priority is always the needs of the Turkish Armed Forces, while exports help increase technological sophistication and generate revenue for future projects. Referring to Pakistan’s Hayber corvette and ASFAT’s Romanian offshore patrol vessel export, he stressed that the company is positioning itself as a full-scope solution partner rather than merely a seller.