Turkish group to modernize Barbaros-class frigates

[Dante80]

Turkish group to modernize Barbaros-class frigates
By: Burak Ege Bekdil for Defensenews - Permalink

The TCG Orucreis (F-245) is one of four Turkish frigates that are slated to undergo half life-cycle full modernization before 2025. The frigate is pictured docked in Port Sudan on June 16, 2014, during a tour to 24 African countries aimed at boosting relations. (Ebrahim Hamid/AFP/Getty Images)

ANKARA, Turkey — A local consortium of two big-scale Turkish defense companies will upgrade the navy’s Barbaros-class frigates, the companies announced.

Military electronics specialist Aselsan, Turkey’s biggest defense company, and military software concern Havelsan will perform half life-cycle full modernization work on the frigates. Both companies are state controlled.

Aselsan said in a statement it sent to the Istanbul Stock Exchange that its share of the work was worth €175 million plus TL 457 million (approximately $115 million). Havelsan did not disclose its share of the work.

Aselsan said the modernization work would be completed by 2025.

The Turkish Navy operates four Barbaros-class multipurpose frigates. Two warships were built by the Blohm + Voss shipyard in Hamburg, Germany, and the remaining two were constructed by the Golcuk Naval Shipyard in Turkey with German technological know-how.

The keel for the first ship in class, TCG Barbaros (F-244), was laid in April 1992. The vessel was launched in September 1993 and entered service in March 1995.

TCG Orucreis (F-245) was laid in July 1992, launched in July 1994 and entered service in May 1996. TCG Salihreis (F-246) was laid in March 1995, launched in September 1997 and entered service in December 1998.

Turkey laid the last ship in the Barbaros class, TCG Kemalreis (F-247), in December 1996 and launched in July 1998. It entered service in June 2000.

Barbaros-class frigates feature anti surface warfare (ASuW), anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-aircraft warfare (AAW) capabilities.

 

[Baybars Han]

What kind of upgrades? Electronic?

 

[Dante80]

Judging from the article as well as the contractors, I think that the frigates will get a thorough modernization as far as the main combat system is involved. I'm assuming that TDK will use a souped up version of the G-MSYS, a new SIGINT platform as well as better SatCom, Link16 and ECDIS/WECDIS capabilities, leveraging the COTS systems that the two companies have already shown in that department.

Regarding weaponry, I think that the frigates will retain everything already installed. They might install a new FCS for the main gun though. And of-course, the hull and subsystems will get a thorough Mid-Life upgrade/certification.

 

[Corsair255]

What kind of upgrades? Electronic?

No idea about the engines but it will be a very intensive modernization in terms of electronics systems. Radios to intcom (integrated comm. in general) and to the IFF to CMS and other things...will be very comprehensive one. AWS-6 Dolphines will be gone and will be replaced by MAR-D from Aselsan. In terms of weapon systems; Sea Guard will be removed and be used as a spare parts support for the first batch, replaced by twin mount Phalanxes (or by Korkut-D as a new strong candidate).

 

[Dante80]

Had no idea that the Sea Zenith would be uninstalled from the ship. Thanks for the info.
Is Korkut-D ready for fielding in the Genesis CMS?

 

[Corsair255]

Had no idea that the Sea Zenith would be uninstalled from the ship. Thanks for the info.
Is Korkut-D ready for fielding in the Genesis CMS?

The installation of Korkut-D is not certain for the moment but Aselsan is trying hard for it.
First part of the sea trials of Korkut-D completed successfully (for surface and low speed targets).
In May, trials will be continuing for high speed targets by using suitable target drones.
In any case Sea Guard will be gone and will be replaced either by Phalanx or Korkut-D.
In case of selecting of Korkut-D, i don't think it'll be a problem to integrate it into the CMS since both systems have domestic manufacturers ( or may be it's already done, idk).

 

[Oublious]

Had no idea that the Sea Zenith would be uninstalled from the ship. Thanks for the info.
Is Korkut-D ready for fielding in the Genesis CMS?

sea zenith is out of production, only operator is Turkey so they are replacing it by phalanx. They ordered couple phalanx systems.

 

[Oublious]

As i mentioned in another topic, the FCS not FCR what i wrote.