Newsletters
The Turkish Navy's TCG Orucreis (F-245) frigate has completed a comprehensive modernization program, emerging as the fleet's most modern and powerful combat vessel with enhanced capabilities for defending Türkiye's maritime interests.
The Barbaros-class frigate underwent extensive upgrades under the ADVENT Combat Management System (CMS) Program, led by Havelsan in cooperation with the Turkish Naval Forces Command.
The modernization project's acceptance activities were successfully completed following months of testing in 2024.
The modernization integrated more than 30 subsystems with the ADVENT CMS, marking the first time such extensive integration has been achieved on Turkish Navy frigates. The project involved writing more than 6 million lines of source code and integrating over 700 applications.
Among the integrated systems are ATMACA and Harpoon anti-ship cruise missiles, Mk41 VLS vertical launch system, ESSM air defense missiles, 127mm naval gun, 25mm stabilized naval gun, Phalanx CIWS automatic cannon system, AKREP Fire Control Radar, search radars, tactical data links, and the national identification friend or foe (IFF) system.
"Network-supported capabilities such as joint engagement, operations, and training developed with ADVENT CMS were transferred to TCG Orucreis," according to Havelsan.
The vessel gained enhanced situational awareness and combat management capabilities against air, surface, subsurface, electronic and asymmetric warfare threats.
Aselsan announced April 9 that the mid-life upgrade involved modernization and replacement of 21 systems onboard the vessel.
The work began in January 2022 under contracts awarded by the Turkish Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB) to Havelsan and Aselsan in 2018.
Notable external changes include:
Internal upgrades featured replacement of the AN/SQS-56 sonar with the new generation active/passive Fersah sonar developed by Aselsan and Armelsan, operating in mid-frequency bands of 3kHz-12kHz in passive mode and 6.7kHz-8.4 kHz in active mode.
The existing STACOS Mod 3 combat management system was replaced with Havelsan's Genesis Advent software, supporting NATO Link systems and national networks. The fire control system for the Mk-45 Mod 1/2 gun was replaced by one developed by Aselsan.
Additional capabilities include fully integrated tactical data links, Rule-Based Decision Support System, ability to conduct training without disrupting operations and ship duties, navigation and operational support, and helicopter and aircraft tactical control.
Sea trials and acceptance tests were conducted throughout 2024 in Golcuk, Yalova, Bandirma and Saros bays, including initial operation preparation tests, system integration tests, harbor acceptance tests and sea acceptance tests.
"Shots fired during tests achieved direct hits on land, surface and air targets," according to the Turkish Naval Forces Command.
TCG Orucreis participated in the Denizkurdu-1 exercise in January 2025 and Denizkurdu-2 in May 2025, operating as "the Naval Forces Command's most modern and highest striking power asset in Blue Homeland defense."
The Barbaros MLU contract was signed between the Turkish Presidency of Defense Industries and the Aselsan-Havelsan joint venture in April 2018, becoming effective in August 2018. TCG Orucreis was handed over for the project in December 2021.
The Turkish Naval Forces Command currently operates four Barbaros-class multipurpose frigates that entered service during 1997-2000: TCG Barbaros (F-244), TCG Orucreis (F-245), TCG Salih Reis (F-246), and TCG Kemal Reis (F-247).
Two were constructed by Blohm + Voss Shipyard in Hamburg, Germany, while the remaining two were built at Golcuk Naval Shipyard with German technical support.
Following the mid-life upgrade, the service life of the Barbaros-class frigates will be extended until the 2040s.
1 min read
