Turkey’s defense industry continues to strengthen its naval capabilities with the success of the Ship Data Distribution System (GVDS) — a core technology designed and produced entirely by HAVELSAN. Known as the “heart” of modern surface and underwater platforms, GVDS enables uninterrupted and secure data flow between all onboard systems, ensuring seamless operational performance under the harshest maritime conditions.

In submarines, the system operates under the name Submarine Information Distribution System (DBDS). Both GVDS and DBDS serve as the digital backbone of the Turkish Navy’s advanced fleet, managing real-time integration between radar, sonar, weapon control, navigation, and communication systems. The program, launched 15 years ago with the delivery to TCG Heybeliada (F-511) — the first ship of the MİLGEM project — has now reached its 60th successful delivery, earning top marks in factory acceptance tests for use on the eighth MİLGEM vessel.

To date, the combined operational runtime of all GVDS and DBDS systems has surpassed 300 years, underscoring the reliability and endurance of HAVELSAN’s engineering. The company maintains a steady production rate, averaging one system delivery per month over the past year, as integration continues for upcoming Turkish Navy ships and submarines.

HAVELSAN’s localization efforts have raised the domestic production rate of GVDS to over 80%, thanks to the in-house development of Single Board Computers (SBCs), interface cards, timing modules, power and backplane units, as well as Time Servers and GNSS subsystems. These indigenous components ensure maximum operational independence and system resilience.

Designed to function flawlessly even in rough seas, GVDS and DBDS provide the digital infrastructure necessary for precision targeting and weapon synchronization — enabling radars, guns, and missile systems to maintain accuracy and stability under extreme conditions. HAVELSAN’s engineering excellence has resulted in a system family that operates 24/7 with exceptional reliability, having logged tens of thousands of operational hours without major failures.

By achieving this milestone, HAVELSAN not only enhances the digital backbone of Turkey’s naval platforms but also strengthens its international reputation as a trusted provider of software-driven defense solutions. The GVDS program stands as a testament to Turkey’s technological maturity in mission-critical naval systems.