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A-591 Ufuk, Turkish Spy Ship launched on sea

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https://www.bairdmaritime.com/work-...orld/4653-feature-turkish-navy-s-new-spy-ship

TURKISH NAVY’S NEW SPY SHIP

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Although not often recognised as a maritime power, Turkey has for many years operated a powerful naval force.

The Turkish Navy’s contemporary order of battle features more than 100 combat assets, including submarines, frigates, missile-armed fast attack craft and mine warfare vessels, and there are numerous new warships in build.

Due for completion in 2021 is the indigenously-built light aircraft carrier Anatolia. Under construction by Selef Shipbuilding, it is based on the Royal Spanish Navy’s Juan Carlos 1 amphibious warfare vessel, and will operate F-3B Lightning II fighter bombers.

Turkey’s’ naval commitments include participation in NATO and multilateral operations and exercises, and membership of the United Nations’ UNIFIL Maritime Task Force, which carries out security patrols off Lebanon. Long-term tensions between Ankara and Athens are another important reason why the country retains a large naval force.

Now comes news that Turkey will quite soon be joining that elite group of navies which operate dedicated signal intelligence gathering (SIGINT) vessels.

Launched at the Tuzia shipyard on February 9, 2019 was the, “trials, training and intelligence vessel” Ufuk. Speaking at the launching ceremony, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan left no doubt that the ship’s main role will be SIGINT, and stated that developments in Syria, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea meant that there was an urgent requirement for such an asset.

Analysts believe that the new vessel will also have some focus on the divided nation of Cyprus, particularly in view of Ankara’s reported displeasure over Nicosia’s current prospecting for oil in the seaways off the Mediterranean island.

Ufuk has a length of 99.5 metres, and displaces 2,400 tonnes. The ship’s design is based upon that of Turkey’s Ada-class frigates, but it is powered by diesel engines, which enable a top speed of just 18 knots, rather than by gas turbines. There is a stern flight deck to support operations by a light helicopter, but no hangar.

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https://turkishnavy.net/2019/02/10/tcg-ufuk-launched/

TCG Ufuk Launched

The previously unnamed test and evaluation ship has now a name and a pennant number: A-591 TCG Ufuk.

The ship, the first one in Turkish Navy to bear that name, was launched on 9th February 2019.

TCG Ufuk shows a striking resemblance to Ada class corvettes. Even some main physical attributes like the length, width, drought of the ships are the same. Here is a comparison chart:

--------------------TCG Ufuk---------Ada Class
Length (meters) -----99,5--------------99,5
Width (meters) ------14,4--------------14,4
Draft (meters) --------3,6---------------3,9
Displacement (tons) 2400--------------2300
Speed (knots) --------18+ --------------29+

Two most obvious differences between this ship and the Ada class corvettes are that that TCG Ufuk doesn’t have any weapons. The test and evaluation ship does have a flight deck to support 10-tonne class helicopters but does not have a hangar.

According to news reports, TCG Ufuk will have an all diesel main propulsion whereas the Ada class ships have a combined gas turbine and diesel engines as main propulsion. The top speed is given as 18+ knots, which is considerably slower than 29 knots top speed of Ada class corvettes.

During the launching ceremony, the President of Turkey Mr. Erdoğan told that this ship was the first intelligence gathering ship built by national means and mentioned the importance of signal intelligence.

The intelligence gathering mission of this ship may explain why the ship will have a 100 tons more displacement compared to Ada class corvettes despite having no weapons and the sensors associated with fire control and why its construction was not published much compared to other defense industry projects.

The commissioning of TCG Ufuk is scheduled for July 2020.

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https://turkishnavy.net/2019/02/05/test-and-evaluation-ship-takes-shape/

Test And Evaluation Ship Takes Shape

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A CGI image of the Test and Evaluation Ship showing her general configuration. The lack of weapons, the enclosure of the section between the funnel and the mast are particularly striking features.

The project was first made public in a presentation made by Undersecreteriat for Defence Industries, (SSM) during the 7th Naval Systems Seminar in 2017. SSM simply told that they have signed a contract for a Test and Evaluation Ship.

More information was released in a presentation made by the engineering company STM during the same event. According to STM, they are the main contractor of a project, where one Test and Evaluation Ship (TaES) will be constructed by Istanbul Denizcilik Shipyard. The ship will have hull form of Ada class corvettes. Aselsan, as a subcontractor is responsible for the manufacturing of the mission systems to be used on board.

STM also shared the above photo. The ship showed there has a striking resemblance to Ada class corvettes. Two most obvious differences between this ship and the Ada class corvettes are this ship doesn’t have a gun in A position and any other weapons. The space between the mast and the funnel, where 8 Harpoon missiles are installed in Ada class ships doesn’t exist in the TaES. The aft of the superstructure is also slightly different. The superstructure aft of the funnel is larger since the TaES doesn’t have the STAMP remote-controlled gun system and anti-torpedo countermeasures system, the deck on which these systems are installed is added to the hull.

According to news reports, the TaEs will have an all diesel main propulsion whereas the Ada class ships have a combined gas turbine and diesel engines as main propulsion. The top speed of the TaES will be lower than Ada class corvettes.

Since TaES shares the same hull and superstructure of the Ada class corvettes, I believe the physical measurements of the TaES will be same or very similar of Ada class ships.


kiyas.jpg

On the left are the mast and forward superstructure of the first Ada class corvette TCG Heybeliada. On the right are the mast and the forward structure of the Test and Evaluation Ship. Although the shape is similar, the number of supports on the mast of the TaES is much more compared to TCG Heybeliada. Obviously, more sensors will installed on TaES.

kiyas2.jpg

The stern view of the TaES and TCG Heybeliada. The TaES does have a flight deck and a hangar. But the shape of the superstructure at the aft is different.
 
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By 2030, Turkish Navy will reach a new form (larger but completely network centric from missiles to platform that missiles were launched) that has new domestic naval assets. These ships are being developed to meet TN's specific requirements.

TCG Anadolu will have a large hull but This LHD will use the latest generation EW/Jammer sensors Turkish institute has developed recently. It seems second of its class will follow when the first one was accepted by navy. Acc to statement, Amphibic carriers will be protected by TF-2000 destroyers and submarines when they were fully functional on Turkish seas. That means Turkey will spare a few frigate/destroyers to protect larger ships on open seas.
upload_2020-6-28_0-8-4.jpeg


Turkish type assault boats will have a stealth form equipped with 8x MRAShM or Atmaca SSM, 1xRAM or Turkish equivalent missile, Main gun, 3D radar and some EW sensors. It was being planned to reach 55+knots with these ships and hull form of this ship proved itself on pool trials.
upload_2020-6-28_0-19-27.jpeg


TF-2000 will be a real game changer thanks to fire power, striking/defensive missiles and onboard sensors. 64 cell MDAS VLS equipped with quad packable G-40 and/or Long range Siper (120km) missiles along with Gezgin long range land attack cruise missile and 16x Atmaca SSM. Genesis Advent CMS and CAFRAD radar mast will make the main differences.
upload_2020-6-28_0-17-16.jpeg


Barbaros MLU upgrade program will convert Germany MEKO Track2B frigates into the Istanbul class levels by integrating national sensors, missiles and mast form. When they reached the end of their service life (by 2030-35), The more advanced Tf-100 concept will replace these ships.
upload_2020-6-28_0-17-56.jpeg



By 2030; Turkish surface combatants will be shaped as following;

2 Anadolu class LHD
7 Tf-2000 destroyers (Most likely 2-3 of them will be inducted into Navy until this time)
4 Istanbul class frigates
4 Milgem corvettes
4 Barbaros MLU
~2(?) Ufuk class spy ship
10 TT assault boats

ESX2cdKXQAEUl-0.jpg


By 2030, Turkish submarine forces will be shaped as following;

6-8(?) Milden (Most likely first Milden submarine will be ready to launch on sea until 2030)
6 Reis class U-214TN submarines
4 Gür class U-209/1400

TR-SUB3h.PNG
 
.
By 2030, Turkish Navy will reach a new form (larger but completely network centric from missiles to platform that missiles were launched) that has new domestic naval assets. These ships are being developed to meet TN's specific requirements.

TCG Anadolu will have a large hull but This LHD will use the latest generation EW/Jammer sensors Turkish institute has developed recently. It seems second of its class will follow when the first one was accepted by navy. Acc to statement, Amphibic carriers will be protected by TF-2000 destroyers and submarines when they were fully functional on Turkish seas. That means Turkey will spare a few frigate/destroyers to protect larger ships on open seas.
View attachment 645367

Turkish type assault boats will have a stealth form equipped with 8x MRAShM or Atmaca SSM, 1xRAM or Turkish equivalent missile, Main gun, 3D radar and some EW sensors. It was being planned to reach 55+knots with these ships and hull form of this ship proved itself on pool trials.
View attachment 645372

TF-2000 will be a real game changer thanks to fire power, striking/defensive missiles and onboard sensors. 64 cell MDAS VLS equipped with quad packable G-40 and/or Long range Siper (120km) missiles along with Gezgin long range land attack cruise missile and 16x Atmaca SSM. Genesis Advent CMS and CAFRAD radar mast will make the main differences.
View attachment 645370

Barbaros MLU upgrade program will convert Germany MEKO Track2B frigates into the Istanbul class levels by integrating national sensors, missiles and mast form. When they reached the end of their service life (by 2030-35), The more advanced Tf-100 concept will replace these ships.
View attachment 645371


By 2030; Turkish surface combatants will be shaped as following;

2 Anadolu class LHD
7 Tf-2000 destroyers (Most likely 2-3 of them will be inducted into Navy until this time)
4 Istanbul class frigates
4 Milgem corvettes
4 Barbaros MLU
~2(?) Ufuk class spy ship
10 TT assault boats

View attachment 645335

By 2030, Turkish submarine forces will be shaped as following;

6-8(?) Milden (Most likely first Milden submarine will be ready to launch on sea until 2030)
6 Reis class U-214TN submarines
4 Gür class U-209/1400

TR-SUB3h.PNG
Well that is not a very big Navy.
 
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Well that is not a very big Navy.

“Big” is actually a relative subject. If the actual matter is the size to describe a Navy as big, I can say that TN will be one of the largest fleet of Europe.

If the matter is the fire power, Each Tf-2000 with 64cell MDAS will have a capacity of launching 64x4 ESSM/G40 missiles or 64/128 Siper missiles or 64 Gezgin Land attack cruise missiles and 16 Atmaca SSM. If you consider the number of Tf-2000 that will be constructed(7), the firepower will be massive levels. That is only Tf-2000. Think about I class and Barbaros class frigates with 16 cell VLS.

If the matter is the radar coverage, Each Çafrad will have a search, tracking and classification capability (more than 2000 targets) with a range radiua of 500km. 7 Tf-2000 will cover each cm of all Aegean, Blacksea and E. Med.

That will be more or less European Navies by 2030.
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Well, what kind of size are you talking about? In terms of amphibious and army projection capabilities, or in terms of surface/sub-water engagement capabilities? Can you explain a little specifically?

And my question: How many other closed / semi-closed sea navies you know in the world that have +50 up-to-date combatant fleets?

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Turkish navy's main aim is being one of the elite navies in the world by 2033 projection. Those interested in the subject can search the topics or on net, as Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) 2033 Vision. Currently, TN is a participant or host of many and one of most comprehensive naval exercises in the world. It has a great naval tradition and history. Although it is a peninsula and Mediterranean country; TN is the 10th-to-12th largest navy in the world by platform size, in today.

For more details, you can start from here: https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/turk...industrial-capabilities.639923/#post-11841296
 
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