Turkey to Build Six Corvettes

06.06.2012 Two leading Turkish shipbuilding companies will strive for building 6 corvettes for the national navy. The question is a $1.5 bln contract, reports Hurriyet Daily News. Executive board including Turkish prime minister, defense minister, and chief of staff will convene next month to select the manufacturer.

Recall that two corvettes have been already built by military shipbuilders for Turkish Navy.

Reinforcement of naval force is being held under national program designed to strengthen Turkish Navy. After construction of corvettes, Turkey plans to start working on the own frigate and build it by 2020. As for the project designers, the program was extremely useful regarding organization of shipbuilding and acquiring of experience which will definitely help in future construction of larger and more powerful warships.

According to a Turkish official, the country can cover 70-80 percent of national navy's demands by own power; exception is engines and submarines.

The works are in progress in that direction though. The $2 bln contract tied with Germany for 6 up-to-date submarines will be the last joint undertaking, promises Ankara. In prospect, Turkey plans to build submarines all alone.

Among other projects are plans to purchase a large-size landing ship capable to take aboard helicopters and carry over 1,000 marines to long distances.

Currently, Turkish Navy operates 17 frigates, 7 corvettes, 14 submarines, 27 light torpedo boats, and 75 naval aircraft, report Turkish media. Navy's manpower is 49,000.

When Cyprus announced opening of natural gas exploitation within its economic zone, Turkey deployed three frigates, a submarine, and two torpedo boats to the island's coasts. Turkish ships take part in NATO operations as well. In Apr 2012, Turkey held a large-scale naval exercise.