Türkiye kicks off construction of next-gen naval air-defence destroyer PHOTO

Türkiye announced on November 27 that contractors have officially begun building a new naval air-defence destroyer, which will form part of the country’s planned multi-layered air-defence architecture known as Çelik Kubbe (“Steel Dome”).

As reported by Caliber.Az, the information was published by SavunmaSanayiST.com on its X social media page.

According to the report, construction is progressing at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard on the first vessel of the TF-2000 program — TF-2000-1 — which represents the third phase of the broader MİLGEM warship initiative.

SICAK GELİŞME | 🇹🇷 Mavi Vatan’a Kritik Çelik Kubbe Bileşeni!

— İlk TF-2000 Hava Savunma Harbi Muhribi’nin blok inşasına İstanbul Tersane Komutanlığı’nda başlanıldı!

— Türkiye, eşzamanlı 30’dan fazla Hücumbot, Korvet, Firkateyn, Muhrip, Denizaltı ve destek gemisi inşa ediyor. pic.twitter.com/jis2ekVKLf

— SavunmaSanayiST.com (@SavunmaSanayiST) November 27, 2025

“The construction of the first block of the ship under the "TF-2000 Air-Defence Destroyer" project has begun at our Istanbul Naval Shipyard. As a component of the ‘Steel Dome’ system, this vessel will be completed in the shortest possible time and will significantly enhance our air-defence capabilities,” Türkiye’s Ministry of Defence stated during its weekly press briefing.

Alongside the TF-2000 program, Türkiye is continuing the simultaneous construction of several other classes of naval combat vessels. These include ADA-class and İSTİF-class corvettes and frigates under the MİLGEM project, as well as HİSAR-class offshore patrol vessels.

By Tamilla Hasanova