Turkey plans to invest €350 million to expand a naval base located in southwestern Muğla province as part of a NATO maritime expansion program, the Turkish Naval Forces Command announced in the January issue of its official monthly publication.
The project, approved under the NATO Maritime Capability Program Plan (NMCP) on April 5, 2024, aims to expand the current infrastructure and facilities at the Aksaz naval base for bigger ships.
The base, located on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, will also house allied nations’ helicopter carriers and aircraft carriers.
The decision to deploy Turkey’s flagship amphibious assault ship TCG Anadolu (LHD), replenishment oiler TCG Derya and Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) submarines to Aksaz stems from maintenance and logistical support needs.
“This is our largest current project, involving the construction of docks and coastal facilities for our naval elements,” said Rear Adm. Tayfun Öznel, head of the navy’s logistics engineering department. “We expect the Ministry of Defense to open bidding in 2025.”
Completed in 2000, Aksaz naval base is one of Turkey’s two largest naval bases.
In 16th century the place was viewed as the most appropriate natural harbor for accommodating a big fleet by the Ottoman Empire’s chief admiral Piri Reis. Today, the base plays a crucial role in defending Turkey’s southern coastline and projecting power in the eastern Mediterranean.
It serves as a support point for Turkish naval vessels engaged in surveillance operations, joint exercises with allies and maritime security missions.
The investment project includes the construction of new docks and piers at Aksaz, which are part of the NATO NMCP initiative.
The upgrade also aims to modernize facilities and logistics systems, including advanced maintenance systems, ammunition and fuel depots and technologies for ship traffic management and control.
Rear Adm. Öznel emphasized that the Turkish Navy is implementing its projects not only with national resources but also by utilizing NATO resources within the scope of NATO capability development activities.
He said that within the NMCP, the projects that are currently ongoing total some €360 million in investment, with the bulk of these concentrated in Aksaz.
On August 27, 2023 a ceremony was held to mark the opening of the Aksaz Shipyard Command. The event was attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Defense Minister Yaşar Güler and Turkish Naval Forces Commander Adm. Ercüment Tatlıoğlu.
The naval base upgrade, which includes accommodating LHDs, aircraft carriers and AIP submarines, comes amid Turkey’s efforts to expand its presence in the eastern Mediterranean, where nations are competing over energy resources.
The project will also reinforce NATO’s southern flank and boost regional cooperation, military officials say.