STM has delivered Türkiye’s first national frigate TCG Istanbul and TCG UTGM ARIF EKMEKCI Logistic Support Ship to the Turkish Navy.
A ceremony was held on 19 January, 2024 to mark the delivery of four new naval platforms that will further strengthen the Turkish Naval Forces. “Power in the Blue Homeland: The “New Naval Platforms Delivery Ceremony” was held at Sefine Shipyard in Yalova.
The deliveries of TCG İSTANBUL (F-515), Türkiye’s first national frigate, and Logistics Support Ship TCG ÜTGM. ARİF EKMEKÇİ (A-575), built under the main contractorship of STM, as well as Replenishment at Sea and Combat Support Ship (DIMDEG) TCG DERYA (A-1590), the second largest ship in the Turkish Naval fleet, and the MARLIN Unmanned Surface Vehıcle (USV) all featured in the milestone ceremony for the Turkish Navy.
Attending the ceremony were President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan; Yaşar Güler, Minister of National Defense; Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün, President of Defence Industry Agency (SSB); Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu, Commander of the Turkish Naval Forces; Özgür Güleryüz, General Manager of STM; and Celal Koloğlu, Member of Board of Sefine Shipyard, as well as many other guests.
Speaking at the ceremony, Özgür Güleryüz, General Manager of STM, stated that STM undertakes significant duties in the construction of national surface and submarine ships for the Turkish Navy, and has contributed to the Turkish economy through its exports of naval platforms to Pakistan and Ukraine.
He said that STM was proud to have been selected as the main contractor in the TCG İSTANBUL project, as Türkiye’s first national frigate, and said:
“TCG İSTANBUL, MİLGEM İstif-Class Frigates have taken their place among the five most advanced frigates in the world thanks to their design and technologies. The targeted localisation rate for the Istanbul Frigate was 75 percent, – a figure that we managed to increase to 80 percent through our efforts under the leadership of the SSB, and TCG İSTANBUL has thus taken the crown as the warship with the highest localisation rate in Türkiye. Our national frigate will serve as an important deterrent for our country in the world's seas thanks to its national electronic warfare systems, which have a high localisation rate, its new generation national combat management system and its ability to launch air-guided projectiles.”
Referring to the Logistics Support Ship built under another project in which STM was the main contractor, Güleryüz said:
“Following the successful delivery of TCG Yüzbaşı Güngör Durmuş (A-574), the first ship of the project, we are proud to be delivering TCG UTGM. ARİF EKMEKÇİ (A-575), the second ship of the project to the Turkish Navy. TCG UTGM ARİF EKMEKÇİ, named after SAT Commando Lieutenant Senior Grade Arif Ekmekçi who lost his life in the line of duty, will strengthen the supply and logistics capabilities of our Naval Forces, undertaking a broad range of tasks and carrying the cares of the Blue Homeland on its shoulders through its abilities to replenish fuel at sea, and to carry tons of liquid and solid cargoes, with a range of 9,500 nautical miles.”
Güleryüz further drew attention to the extent of STM’s activities in the military and naval fields, and went on to say:
“STM takes pride in having successfully contributed to the naval capacity of our country with more than 10 naval platform projects being undertaken in 9 civil and naval shipyards. As Türkiye’s naval engineering power, we will continue to meet the needs of our Navy and the navies of friendly and allied nations with sea-going vessels, from aircraft carriers to modern submarines, meeting the needs of the age and following a visionary and modern approach backed by national means, and to successfully represent our country around the world."
