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Milgem, from the Turkish words Milli Gemi (National Ship), is the name of the Turkish corvette program; the purpose of which is to build a modern corvette with indigenous capabilities. Construction of the first Milgem class corvette, TCG Heybeliada, began on 26 July 2005 and the first sea trials are scheduled to begin on 23 August 2007. The Milgem program is scheduled to be completed by 25 October 2010. A total of twelve Milgem class corvettes will be built for the Turkish Navy, with possible exports to other countries.
Evolution of the Milgem program
When the Milgem project was officially launched in 1996, the initial plan was to locally build MEKO A-100 corvettes of Blohm&Voss, a German shipbuilding company which specializes on building high technology warships and submarines. In the early 2000s, the partnership plan with Blohm&Voss was shelved and the Turkish Navy decided to design and build a completely indigenous corvette. Istanbul Naval Shipyard Command executes and coordinates the design, development and construction works of the Milgem project since 2004.
Technical specifications of Milgem
Displacement: 2,000 t
Dimensions: 99.00 m x 14.40 m x 3.75 m
Economic speed: 15 knots
Maximum speed: 29+ knots
Range: 3,500 nautical miles @ 15 knots
Sensors: 3D search radar, fire control radar, sonar
Cannons: 1 x 76 mm, 2 x 12.7 mm
Missiles: 8 x Harpoon Missile, 21 x RAM (Rolling Airframe Missile)
Torpedoes: 2 x 324 mm Mk.32 triple launchers for Mk.46 torpedoes
Aviation: Hangar and platform for 1 x S-70-B2 Seahawk ASW helicopter
Crew: 93
Future applications
There are plans of adding a Mk.41 VLS (Vertical Launching System) which is capable of firing ESSM (Evolved Sea Sparrow), VLA (Vertical Launch Anti-Submarine Rocket), and Standard missiles, using Milgem corvettes as a testing platform for the future frigates of the Turkish Navy, known as the TF-2000 program.