Turkey has signed a contract for the construction of its first indigenous TF-2000 air defense destroyer, a major step toward enhancing both naval and mainland air defense capabilities with advanced domestic technologies.
The agreement, covering the construction of a single vessel to be launched in 2028 and delivered by 2030, was signed between ASFAT CEO Mustafa İlbaş and Turkish Navy Commander Adm. Ercüment Tatlıoğlu, according to defense news outlet Breaking Defense.
The signing took place during the 17th International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF 2025) in İstanbul, which brought together more than 1,300 local and international defense contractors and dozens of high-level military delegations. At the stand of the Presidency of the Defense Industry (SSB) — Turkey’s main defense procurement body — state-owned contractor ASFAT (Military Factory and Shipyard Management Inc.) was officially appointed lead builder of the TF-2000 class.
The TF-2000 program represents a key milestone in Turkey’s efforts to establish a self-sufficient and export-ready naval defense industry. Designed and engineered by the Turkish Navy’s in-house Design Project Office, the 149-meter destroyer will play a critical role in protecting both fleet formations and strategic land assets from air and missile threats.
An ASFAT official described the vessel as “a game changer in air defense, not only at sea but also on land.”
Construction is set to begin in November 2025 with steel cutting at a shipyard in İstanbul. ASFAT plans to complete one of the ship’s approximately 60 blocks before the end of the year.
The ship is expected to feature more than 85 percent indigenous content and will integrate a wide range of domestically developed systems, including the ÇAFRAD dual-band AESA radar system developed by ASELSAN.
Adm. Tatlıoğlu emphasized the strategic significance of the project, saying: “In our geography, we need a very strong Turkish Armed Forces and a very strong navy. With this goal, we are starting construction of the TF-2000 air defense warfare destroyer to add it to our naval forces’ inventory. The TF-2000 will be the maritime component of the Steel Dome.”
The destroyer’s primary role is to provide air and missile defense against threats such as cruise and ballistic missiles, contributing to both fleet-level operations and land-based defense integration.
The ship’s 96-cell MIDLAS vertical launch system—32 cells in the bow and 64 midship—can accommodate a variety of missile systems, including the Atmaca anti-ship missile, the Gezgin land-attack cruise missile and ballistic missile interceptors. This flexibility enables it to engage air, surface and land targets.
The updated configuration of the TF-2000, revealed at IDEF 2025, includes an optimized layout for its electronic warfare and radar suite. Its redesigned mast hosts the X-band ÇFR Multi-Function Radar for target tracking and the S-band UMR Long-Range Search Radar for early detection. Fixed electronic warfare arrays positioned above the radars enhance survivability and electromagnetic superiority compared to existing I-class frigates.
With a displacement of 8,300 tons, a beam of 21.3 meters and a top speed exceeding 28 knots, the TF-2000 is powered by a Combined Diesel Or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system. It has a range of 5,000 nautical miles at 17 knots and can remain at sea for up to 45 days without support.
Additional onboard systems include a 127mm indigenous main gun, the GÖKDENİZ close-in weapon system (CIWS), 25mm stabilized secondary guns, point defense missile systems, dual triple torpedo tubes, bow-mounted and low-frequency active sonar and electronic warfare support and attack systems. The platform is also designed with an open architecture to accommodate future asymmetric capabilities such as unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) and swarm-capable UAVs.
SSB President Haluk Görgün noted the platform’s export potential. “Each platform we develop for our Navy also holds high export value. With high localization rates and strong engineering, these platforms meet operational needs and offer competitive potential abroad,” he said.
ASFAT Naval Programs Director Kerem Orçun Yüksekdağ added that over 80 percent of both domestic and foreign delegations expressed interest in the TF-2000 during IDEF 2025, with allied countries ready to begin negotiations following its adoption by the Turkish Navy.
The TF-2000 initiative complements Ankara’s other naval efforts, including the MİLDEN national submarine project, the Blue Homeland maritime sovereignty doctrine and a planned aircraft carrier, expected to launch by 2028 and enter service by 2035.
ASFAT also signed a separate agreement at the fair for the construction of four offshore patrol vessels based on the Ada-class corvette, with delivery planned within 36 months. The company, which recently commissioned the world’s largest floating submarine dock, continues to expand its role in Turkey’s naval modernization efforts.