Türkiye launches TCG İÇEL frigate, strengthening naval capabilities

Türkiye has launched TCG İÇEL (F-518), the eighth ship in its MİLGEM national shipbuilding program and the fourth of the İSTİF-class frigates. The launch ceremony took place at Sefine Shipyard in Yalova Altınova.

The frigate, measuring 113 meters in length with a displacement of 3,200 tons, is designed for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, air defence, electronic warfare, and search and rescue missions. TCG İÇEL features up to 80 per cent domestic content, including weapons, sensors, and software developed by the Turkish defense industry, Caliber.Az reports via Turkish media. 

Key systems include:

• MKE 76 mm bow gun

• GÖKDENİZ Close Air Defense System

• MIDLAS Vertical Launch System

• ATMACA anti-ship missile

• CENK 3D search radar

• Electro-optical tracking system

• ADVENT battle management system

🇹🇷MİLGEM Projesi’nin 8’nci, İSTİF Sınıfı Firkateynlerin ise 4’üncü gemisi TCG İÇEL (F-518) Firkateyni bugün denize indiriliyor!

— MİLGEM’in yansıması olarak;

• 🇺🇦Ukrayna’ya 2 Korvet,
• 🇵🇰Pakistan’a 4 Korvet,
• 🇲🇾Malezya’ya 3 Korvet,
• 🇮🇩Endonezya 2 Firkateyn ihraç edildi. pic.twitter.com/zaLLzjkiQN

— SavunmaSanayiST.com (@SavunmaSanayiST) September 1, 2025

The MİLGEM project has already supplied warships internationally, with corvettes delivered to Ukraine, Pakistan, and Malaysia, and frigates exported to Indonesia.

Speaking at the ceremony, President of Defence Industries Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün highlighted that MİLGEM is a symbol of Türkiye’s domestic defence capabilities and engineering expertise, reflecting the country’s growing role as a shipbuilding power and exporter of naval platforms.

TCG İÇEL’s launch underscores Türkiye’s ongoing efforts to enhance its deterrence and strategic presence at sea, strengthening its naval capabilities in the Blue Homeland region.

By Sabina Mammadli