Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
The Istanbul-class frigate (also referred to as the İstif-class under Türkiye’s MİLGEM (Milli Gemi – “National Ship”) programme) is a modern, multirole surface combatant developed to replace older Yavuz-class frigates and expand Turkey’s blue-water naval capabilities. It is an enlarged and more capable evolution of the Ada-class corvette, with a length of about 113 m, a beam of ~14.4 m, and a displacement in the ~3,000–3,150 ton range. The design features a CODAG (combined diesel and gas) propulsion system for speeds above 29 knots and a range of roughly 5,700 nmi at cruising speed. Armament and sensors are predominantly indigenously developed and integrated, including Roketsan Atmaca anti-ship missiles, a MİDLAS vertical-launch system with HISAR surface-to-air capability, Aselsan Gökdeniz CIWS, advanced AESA radar and EW suites, and a modern combat management system by HAVELSAN. The class also incorporates anti-submarine warfare sensors and weapons, a helicopter hangar/flight deck, and other systems for full-spectrum maritime operations.
Recent updates to the MİLGEM programme include ongoing construction and outfitting of multiple Istanbul-class hulls across Turkish shipyards under the TAIS–STM partnership, with the lead ship TCG İstanbul (F-515) commissioned in January 2024 and several sister ships launched or nearing completion as part of an expanded eight-ship programme.
Significantly, the Istanbul class has begun to enter the export market. In July 2025 Indonesia signed a contract with Türkiye’s TAIS to acquire two Istanbul-class frigates—the first export order for the type—and the acquisition is reportedly structured with financing support via a Barzan Holdings framework. These vessels were originally intended for the Turkish Navy (e.g., planned TCG İzmir and TCG İçel) but will be transferred to the Indonesian Navy as part of the deal, marking a milestone in Turkish naval exports.
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sub brief, sme, subject matter expert, naval, policy, technology, tactical use of the ocean, sonar, submarine tactics, weapons employment, aip, air independent power, 21st century, aaron, amick, aaron amick, sonar, sonarman, sme, SME, subject matter expert, naval, games, wargames, testing, tactics, news, history, tactical use of the ocean, hide, find, search, jive turkey, jive, subbrief,
This video provides an overview of the I-Class Frigate, a significant warship developed through the Turkish Navy's MILGEM program. We detail its impressive specifications, including propulsion, dimensions, and armaments like the Atmaca anti-ship missiles. This deep dive into naval technology highlights key defense equipment and systems, showcasing the project's progression and international collaborations.
The Istanbul-class frigate (also referred to as the İstif-class under Türkiye’s MİLGEM (Milli Gemi – “National Ship”) programme) is a modern, multirole surface combatant developed to replace older Yavuz-class frigates and expand Turkey’s blue-water naval capabilities. It is an enlarged and more capable evolution of the Ada-class corvette, with a length of about 113 m, a beam of ~14.4 m, and a displacement in the ~3,000–3,150 ton range. The design features a CODAG (combined diesel and gas) propulsion system for speeds above 29 knots and a range of roughly 5,700 nmi at cruising speed. Armament and sensors are predominantly indigenously developed and integrated, including Roketsan Atmaca anti-ship missiles, a MİDLAS vertical-launch system with HISAR surface-to-air capability, Aselsan Gökdeniz CIWS, advanced AESA radar and EW suites, and a modern combat management system by HAVELSAN. The class also incorporates anti-submarine warfare sensors and weapons, a helicopter hangar/flight deck, and other systems for full-spectrum maritime operations.
Recent updates to the MİLGEM programme include ongoing construction and outfitting of multiple Istanbul-class hulls across Turkish shipyards under the TAIS–STM partnership, with the lead ship TCG İstanbul (F-515) commissioned in January 2024 and several sister ships launched or nearing completion as part of an expanded eight-ship programme.
Significantly, the Istanbul class has begun to enter the export market. In July 2025 Indonesia signed a contract with Türkiye’s TAIS to acquire two Istanbul-class frigates—the first export order for the type—and the acquisition is reportedly structured with financing support via a Barzan Holdings framework. These vessels were originally intended for the Turkish Navy (e.g., planned TCG İzmir and TCG İçel) but will be transferred to the Indonesian Navy as part of the deal, marking a milestone in Turkish naval exports.
Ship's Store: subbrief-shop.fourthwall.com
📫 Promotional inquiries subbrief@solaromgmt.com
🐦►twitter.com/subbrief
🕺►instagram.com/subbrief
⏰►tiktok.com/@subbrief
😃► facebook.com/SubBriefMedia
🏴☠️► SubBrief.com
💵► patreon.com/subbrief
🔗► linkedin.com/in/aaron-amick-9538a4171
💌 Contact Aaron ► Aaron@subbrief.com
🦃 Jive Turkey twitch.tv/jivturky
#subbrief #subs #navy
Aaron's PC Spec
------------------------
CPU: Intel i9-10850K @3.60GHz
RAM: 64GB
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
Accelsior 4M2 16.0TB PCIe M.2 NVMe SSD
sub brief, sme, subject matter expert, naval, policy, technology, tactical use of the ocean, sonar, submarine tactics, weapons employment, aip, air independent power, 21st century, aaron, amick, aaron amick, sonar, sonarman, sme, SME, subject matter expert, naval, games, wargames, testing, tactics, news, history, tactical use of the ocean, hide, find, search, jive turkey, jive, subbrief,
This video provides an overview of the I-Class Frigate, a significant warship developed through the Turkish Navy's MILGEM program. We detail its impressive specifications, including propulsion, dimensions, and armaments like the Atmaca anti-ship missiles. This deep dive into naval technology highlights key defense equipment and systems, showcasing the project's progression and international collaborations.
