First Indigenous Frigate of the Turkish Navy TCG Istanbul Begins Sea Trials

On June 20, 2023, the lead ship of the I-class frigates, the future TCG Istanbul (F-515), started sea trials. TCG Istanbul will be the first indigenous frigate of the Turkish Navy.

The TCG Istanbul was photographed leaving the Istanbul Naval Shipyard on the morning of June 20 by ship spotters at sea. A few hours later, the Turkish Ministry of Defense announced via social media that sea trials has officially begun.

The Turkish MoD shared some photos showing that a flag-raising ceremony was conducted before the start of the trials.

The project’s main contractor, STM, also confirmed the commencement of the sea trials.

“The Turkish flag was raised and the first sea trials was conducted for TCG ISTANBUL (F-515), Türkiye’s first national frigate, of which we are proud to be the designer and main contractor. Equipped with modern and national systems, TCG ISTANBUL will join the inventory of the Turkish Naval Forces in 2023, the centenary of our Republic.”

TCG Istanbul is scheduled to join the Turkish Fleet by the end of this year.

The following frigates will be built by a partnership involving Turkish companies STM and TAIS Shipyards. These three frigates will be built concurrently at the Sefine, Anadolu, and Sedef Shipyards, that are the partners of TAIS.

1. TCG Izmir (F-516) – Anadolu Shipyard (ADIK).
2. TCG Içel (F-517) – Sedef Shipyard.
3. TCG Izmit (F-518) – Sefine Shipyard.

The shipyards will deliver the frigates in 36 months.

Видео First Indigenous Frigate of the Turkish Navy TCG Istanbul Begins Sea Trials канала Military Coverage