The ships have been designed to perform anti-air as well as anti-surface warfare missions
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Bangladesh may procure Istanbul-class frigates from Turkey
- Published at 02:11 pm July 24th, 2021
File photo: Turkish Navy frigate TCG Kemal Reis (F-247) is pictured, in the Bosphorus strait, in Istanbul, on May 13, 2019
Reuters
The ships have been designed to perform anti-air as well as anti-surface warfare missions
Bangladesh Navy, which is looking to buy new frigates, may procure Istanbul-class frigates from Turkish company STM, despite offers from China, Netherlands and Italy, according to defseca.com.
In that case, a contract has to be signed between the governments of the two countries, following which Chittagong Shipyard will work with Istanbul Shipyard or STM for the supply of six such guided missile frigates in compliance with Bangladesh Navy’s needs, the site reported.
Developed under the MILGEM Turkish warship program, the Istanbul-class is a new generation of frigates.
Also referred to as TF100 and TF2000, the Istanbul-class frigates have been designed to carry out anti-air warfare missions, carrying ESSM missiles, as well as anti-surface ones, reports Navy Recognition, a popular online media that covers global naval news.
The ship is 113.2m in length, has a beam of 14.4m, a draft of 4.05m and a displacement of 3,000 tons.
It is powered by a Codag (combined diesel and gas) type main propulsion system with two two shafts and CPP propellers. The frigate can reach a top speed of 29 knots (54 km/h) with a maximum cruising range of 5,700 nautical miles at 14 knots (26km/h). The Istanbul-class frigate has an operational capability of 15 days without being refuelled. The ship’s arsenal includes one 76mm main gun, two 25mm stabilized guns, one close-in weapon system, torpedo launchers, electronic warfare suit and hull mounted sonar, according to STM’s website. Bangladesh Navy currently operates two submarines, 115 surface ships, craft and boats, including five guided missile frigates, two patrol frigates, six guided missile corvettes, 38 minor surface combatants of various types, 30 auxiliaries and amphibious landing craft and thirty-two small response boats, according to Wikipedia.