Military Factory and Shipyard Operation Inc. (ASFAT), affiliated with the Ministry of National Defense, said in a statement on social media, “As of today, the critical design phase of the Offshore Patrol Ships, which will be built with high indigenousness and advanced technology for the needs of our Naval Forces Command, has been completed and production has started. May it be beneficial to the Blue Homeland, our Navy, and our nation.”
Offshore patrol ships will be used in missions such as escort, reconnaissance, patrolling, surveillance, ensuring the safety of maritime routes and maritime security in the world seas, especially in the maritime jurisdiction areas described as the “Blue Homeland”, and will be equipped with adequate weapons and systems suitable for these missions.
She is designed to protect fisheries and marine resources and prevent illegal fishing, provide humanitarian aid in natural disasters, carry out search and rescue activities, show a flag and presence, protection of sovereign rights in low-threat coastal waters, Exclusive Economic Zone, and open sea areas within the scope of national and international law, execution of effective and uninterrupted reconnaissance/patrol missions, control of maritime jurisdiction areas, the establishment of maritime security, prevention of smuggling and piracy.
The ships will have a 76mm bow cannon and a runway for use by helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles. All ships are classified by Türk Loydu.
