If certain countries, such as India, seem to struggle to validate their achievements resulting from technology transfer clauses in their defense equipment import programs, others, on the other hand, seem to excel in this area. This is the case, in particular, of Turkey which, since RT Erdogan came to power, has engaged in rapid and controlled development of its defense industry, on the basis of technological partnerships with its Western partners. Among the most emblematic programs, besides the TF-X, a 5th generation combat aircraft, and the Altay battle tank, includes the MILGEM naval program, aimed at designing and producing a family of surface vessels to ensure the renewal of the Turkish Navy's resources.
On September 30, 2019, the ceremony took placeentry into service of the corvette TCG Kinaliada (F-514), 4th unit of the Ada class, the first class of ship in the MILGEM program. The Ada class corvettes, 4 of which are in service out of the 8 ordered, weigh 2400 tonnes with a length of 100m, are versatile ships with anti-submarine and anti-surface capabilities, as well as a capacity anti-aircraft and anti-missile self-protection consistent with the ship's missions. For this purpose, they carry 1 76mm cannon, 8 Harpoon anti-ship missiles replaced by locally manufactured Atmaca missiles with extended capabilities from the 4th units, an anti-aircraft and anti-missile RAM system armed with 21 missiles , and 2 triple anti-submarine torpedo tubes. They also have a hangar and a platform to operate an S70B SeaHawk helicopter. In terms of detection systems, they have the SMART-S radar from Thales and the TBT-01 hull sonar, implemented by the MSYS combat system designed for the entire MILGEM range.
The MILGEM program will include another class of combat ships, 4 frigates of Istanbul class one of which is under construction. The Istanbul multi-purpose frigates weigh 3000 tonnes and are 113 m long, and are a sort of elongated Ada, to carry 16 anti-ship missiles instead of 8 and a Mk41 silo system to implement RIM-anti-aircraft missiles. 162 ESSM or RIM-66 Standard, as well as VL-ASROC anti-submarine missiles. This gauge also makes it possible to increase the autonomy at sea, which will increase from 3.500 to 6.500 nautical miles. The keel of the TCG Istanbul (F-515) was laid on July 3, 2017, and its launch is planned for 2021. The Turkish Admiralty plans, once the technological achievements have been validated on the Istanbul class frigates, to build 7 destroyers anti-aircraft type FT-2000, whose characteristics have not yet been firmly determined, but which will have to carry 64 VLS Mk41 to deploy SM2, ESSM, VL-ASROC missiles and probably locally manufactured Tubitak G40 anti-aircraft, Atmaca anti-ship missiles and the Gezgin cruise missile.
The objective of the Turkish Navy is to have, at the beginning of 2030, a fleet of 20 first-rate surface vessels, i.e. the numerically largest combat surface fleet in the Mediterranean theater. In addition, the MILGEM program buildings are attracting interest, Indonesia having ordered 2011 Ada corvettes in 2, and Pakistan having ordered 2018 Ada corvettes in 4 modified to be built between 4 and a half and 6 years, to cope with the strengthening of the Indian Navy, and in particular its submarine fleet, with the P75 and P75I programs. Note that it is also Turkey which is modernizing the Agosta-type submarines used by the Pakistani Navy.