The launch ceremony of TCG İçel (F-518), the eighth vessel under Türkiye’s MILGEM project and the fourth of the İstif-class frigates, was held at Sefine Shipyard in Yalova on September 1.
The event was attended by Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB) Deputy Chairmen Mustafa Murat Şeker and İhsan Kaya, Yalova Governor Hülya Kaya, Sefine Shipyard Board Member Demir Koloğlu, as well as representatives from partner companies, subcontractors, and personnel from the Turkish Navy and shipyard.
The İstif-class frigates are being built as part of the MILGEM 6–12 programme, launched with an agreement signed in April 2023 between SSB, the TAIS consortium (Anadolu, Sedef, and Sefine shipyards) and STM. Seven frigates are under construction simultaneously across the three shipyards, with two assigned to Sefine. Steel cutting for TCG İçel began on June 15, 2023. Earlier this year, İZMİR (F-516) and İZMİT (F-517) were launched.
Capabilities and DesignMeasuring 113 meters and displacing about 3,200 tons, TCG İçel is powered by a combined gas turbine and diesel engine system, capable of speeds above 29 knots. The frigate is designed to operate in sea state 5, performing surveillance, reconnaissance, patrol, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, air defense, electronic warfare, search and rescue, and amphibious support missions.
The vessel’s endurance allows 5,700 nautical miles at 14 knots and 4,000 nautical miles at 18 knots, with supplies enabling at least 15 days at sea. It is equipped with a flight deck suitable for 10-ton helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles, operating day and night.
The ship integrates a wide range of Turkish-made weapons and systems, including the 76mm MKE main gun, Gökdeniz close-in weapon system, MİDLAS vertical launch system, and Atmaca anti-ship missile. These are supported by locally developed radars, electro-optical tracking, electronic warfare suites, and the ADVENT combat management system.
The construction is being supervised and certified by Türk Loydu.
Statements from Officials
Speaking at the ceremony, SSB Deputy Chairman Mustafa Murat Şeker said:
“We are implementing all the platforms the Turkish Navy requires at a rapid pace. Over 30 naval vessels are under construction simultaneously across military and civilian shipyards, something only a handful of countries can achieve.”
He added that MILGEM also built an ecosystem of subsystems and skilled workforce:
“Each ship has increased the level of technology and local content. This vessel is not only a platform, it carries our indigenous combat systems. We will continue to advance with new projects. The TF-2000 contract will also be signed soon, marking the start of Türkiye’s air defense destroyer programme.”
Şeker also highlighted developments in unmanned systems:
“Four shipyards are building four separate unmanned surface vessels. The first has been delivered by the Sefine-ASELSAN partnership, and more will follow this year. Projects for unmanned submarines and kamikaze surface vessels are also underway.”
Sefine Shipyard Board Member Demir Koloğlu noted that more than 200 suppliers contributed to the vessel:
“The local content rate in TCG İçel exceeds 70 percent, with more than 74 percent of that coming from SMEs and subcontractors. Upon delivery, over 1,500 tons of steel, 350 kilometers of cable, and more than two million man-hours will have gone into the project.”
In a written statement, SSB President Haluk Görgün said:
“MILGEM is not only a shipbuilding project but also a symbol of Türkiye’s determination to rely on its own defense industry. With an indigenization rate approaching 80 percent, TCG İçel incorporates national solutions across radar, sonar, fire control, and missile systems. This reflects a collective achievement by the Turkish Navy and the defense industry.”
Görgün added that Türkiye is among the countries building the highest number of naval vessels simultaneously and continues to export platforms to allies.