2021-01-23 14:05:36 GMT2021-01-23 22:05:36(Beijing Time) Xinhua English
ISTANBUL, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) Turkey launched on Saturday its fifth indigenous frigate produced as part of the MILGEM project, a national warship program.
Istanbul Frigate F-515 was designed with national resources, and over 75 percent of its systems are of indigenous manufacture, according to the Turkish Presidency of Defense Industries.
The 113-meter-long frigate would perform advanced air defense and surface warfare, antisubmarine warfare, and patrol activities, the presidency said.
It is expected to be delivered to Turkey s Naval Forces Command in 2023.
Speaking at the ceremony in Istanbul, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey will launch five major projects in the coming five years and bring its navy to a very strong position.
President-elect Joe Bidens nominee for US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, denounced Turkeys purchase of S-400 air defense system from Russia as unacceptable and said tougher measures may be needed to prevent defense cooperation between the two countries.I think what Turkey has done as a NAT ..
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Turkey s defence minister has called on the United States to reopen talks about Ankara s controversial purchase of a Russian air defence system, urging Washington to move past sanctions and threats.
But Hulusi Akar also told foreign reporters in Ankara on Wednesday that Turkey was in discussions to receive a second batch of the advanced S-400 missiles from Russia, which compete with US Patriots.
The issue will pose an immediate challenge for US President-elect Joe Biden, who is expected to take a tougher line with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
After more than a year of warnings, Washington hit Turkey s military procurement agency with sanctions last month under a 2017 law which punishes major military purchases from Russia.
Turkey Launches Project to Replace U.S. made MK46 Lightweight Torpedo Our Bureau 3115
Turkey s Okra Lightweight Torpedo concept: SSB Image
Turkish Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) will lead a project develop a lightweight torpedo (LWT) called
Okra to replace the U.S. made MK46 and MK54 LWTs.
Chairperson of the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) Ismail Demir on Sunday announced the launching of a 324 millimeter Torpedo Development Project to meet the Turkish navy s needs LWT.
The SSB head said the torpedo will be designed and manufactured by defense contractor Roketsan under the project name,
Orka. Defense giant Aselsan will be a sub-contractor in the project.