Turkey to build three Istanbul-class vessels concurrently

Turkish Defence Industry Agency (Savunma Sanayii Başkanlığı – SSB) has announced the production of the next three Istanbul or I-class vessels.

The three warships are being constructed concurrently as part of the wider Milgem programme, which includes a total of four I-class ships. The lead ship of this class, TCG Istanbul (F-515), was launched in 2021.

SSB president Dr Ismail Demir said the country will leverage the capability and production power of the local private sector shipyards and complete the construction of three frigates simultaneously for the Naval Forces Command.