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Türkiye has completed the export of the TCG Akhisar corvette to Romania, marking the country’s first sale of a warship to a NATO and European Union member state.
The vessel, built at the Istanbul Shipyard Command in 2024, was officially transferred to the Romanian Navy during a signing ceremony attended by Turkish Deputy Defense Minister Musa Heybet and Romanian Economy Minister Radu Miruta, who is temporarily overseeing the Defense Ministry after the recent resignation of Ionut Mosteanu.
The agreement was signed by ASFAT General Manager Professor Mustafa Ilbas on behalf of Türkiye and Armaments Director Brig. Gen. Ion Cornel Plasa on behalf of Romania.
Details of the contract have not yet been announced.
The TCG Akhisar is a MILGEM-derived modern corvette designed primarily for offshore patrol roles.
Corvettes serve as versatile light warships, larger than patrol boats but smaller than frigates.
Romania has long sought to modernize its naval fleet, and the addition of Akhisar is expected to contribute to regional maritime security and support the country’s defense modernization goals.
ASFAT, a state-owned defense company operating under the Ministry of National Defense, highlighted that the sale represents a significant achievement both for the company and Türkiye’s defense sector.
Haluk Gorgun, head of the Presidency of Defense Industries, said the export is a “major milestone,” demonstrating Türkiye’s growing capabilities in naval platforms, its competitiveness in the global defense market, and the trust of partner nations.
Founded in 2018, ASFAT manages the production and exports of 27 military factories and 10 shipyards under the Ministry of National Defense.
The company has rapidly risen in global rankings, entering the Defense News Top 100 in 2023 and reaching 78th place in 2025.
ASFAT also operates major shipbuilding programs, including:
The export of TCG Akhisar further strengthens Türkiye’s position as a rising naval exporter and deepens its defense cooperation with Romania.
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