Newsletters
Aselsan's Gokdeniz Close-In Weapon System (CIWS), which protects Turkish warships against air threats, successfully completed a live-fire test on the TCG Istanbul frigate, the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) announced.
"A new era has begun in naval air defense," SSB President Haluk Gorgun said on social media.
"Gokdeniz, which provides high effectiveness against anti-ship missiles with 35 mm airburst Aselsan ATOM ammunition and offers proven protection against sea-skimming threat scenarios flying close to the sea, is taking the air defense capability of our naval platforms to the highest level," Gorgun said.
Gorgun noted that the indigenous system, which serves on various platforms belonging to the Turkish Naval Forces and is in the inventory of three countries, continues to strengthen Türkiye's deterrence and security in the "Blue Homeland."
"I sincerely congratulate Aselsan first and foremost, all stakeholders of our defense industry, and all colleagues who work hard in the sector for this important success," he noted.
Gokdeniz CIWS, developed by Aselsan along with 35 mm Airburst Ammunition (ATOM), is a close-in weapon system highly effective against anti-ship missiles.
The system features an Automatic Linkless Ammunition Feed Mechanism that allows loading both HEI and Airburst Ammunition at the same time and switching between ammunition types as needed.
In addition to anti-ship missiles, Gokdeniz CIWS is also effective against helicopters, fighters, UAVs, and asymmetric surface naval threats.
General specifications:
TCG Istanbul (F-515), the first ship of the MILGEM I-Class frigate project, achieved 80% domestic content — exceeding the targeted 75% and making it Türkiye's warship with the highest domestic content rate.
The 113-meter-long, 14.4-meter-wide frigate was delivered to the Turkish Naval Forces Command on Jan. 19, 2024, in a ceremony attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan titled "Power in the Blue Homeland: New Naval Platforms Delivery Ceremony."
TCG Istanbul features indigenous systems including the Atmaca cruise missile, MIDLAS Vertical Launch System, Gokdeniz Close-In Weapon System, CENK-S AESA Radar, and ADVENT Combat Management System.
The frigate's capabilities include anti-submarine and surface warfare, air defense, advanced patrol operations, reconnaissance, surveillance, target detection, identification, recognition, and early warning.
The MILGEM I-Class frigate project will include a total of eight frigates. The contracts for ships 6, 7, and 8 were signed on April 6, 2023, with STM and the TAIS Joint Venture (Anadolu, Sedef, and Sefine shipyards).
TCG Izmir (F-516), built at Anadolu Shipyard, and TCG Izmit (F-517), built at Sedef Shipyard, were launched in January 2025 and have entered the outfitting phase.
The Defense Industry Executive Committee (SSIK) decided on Jan. 3, 2024, to build frigates 9, 10, 11, and 12, increasing the total number of I-Class frigates to eight.
All I-Class frigates will be equipped with indigenous air defense capabilities, including Gokdeniz, CENK-S 3D search radar, AKREP fire control radar, MIDLAS, and HISAR-D. Over 220 companies participated in the project, with approximately 80 subcontractors for more than 150 systems.
Set as preferred source
1 min read
