TF2000-class frigate

The TF-2000-class destroyer is a projected anti-air warfare guided-missile destroyer currently undergoing development by the Turkish Naval Institute. The class will provide survivability in the presence of aerial threat and also support mission functions such as command, control, and communications, reconnaissance, early warning, surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare and electronic warfare. Moreover, once in service, the TF-2000s are slated to be an integral part of Türkiye's expeditionary strike groups centered around the TCG ''Anadolu'' LHD and the country's future ''MUGEM''-class aircraft carriers.

The construction of the first ''TF-2000''-class destroyer, the first ''MUGEM''-class aircraft carrier, and the first ''MILDEN''-class submarine began in the same day, on January 2, 2025. The first ''TF-2000''-class destroyer and the first ''MUGEM''-class aircraft carrier are being built at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard, while the first ''MILDEN''-class submarine is being built at the Gölcük Naval Shipyard. Large capital vessels like the TCG ''Anadolu'' and the ''MUGEM''-class aircraft carriers require destroyer escorts to defend them against enemy aircraft, ships and submarines, a duty that will be undertaken by the ''TF-2000''-class destroyers.

On 5 December 2007, the Defence Industry Executive Committee approved plans to build six ships of this class (4 fixed, 2 optional). In January 2013, it was announced that Türkiye was planning to acquire a total of 8 TF-2000 destroyers, which was confirmed at the International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) 2021. With the realization of the project, it is intended to improve the anti-air warfare (AAW) capabilities of the Turkish Navy.

Description

In February 2011, the feasibility studies of the submitted RFI documents were completed, stepping forward to the development of a project model. Preliminary studies and the configuration of the platform were completed by the end of 2024, and the construction of the first ship began on January 2, 2025. The project requires high-level engineering and technology applications and also a long term realisation period with novel project management processes. Meanwhile, in-country development of the main sensor, multi-function phased array radar has been achieved with the aim of maximum local content contribution, in close cooperation with universities, defense industry and national research institutions. With a similar project management approach implemented in the MILGEM project, the entire realisation period of the TF-2000 project also aims to nurture the in-country technology and engineering applications as well as the nationalisation of the critical systems for the national defence industry.

Development

Construction

The construction of the first ''TF-2000''-class destroyer started on 2 January 2025.

Armament

These warships are multi-mission destroyers able to conduct anti-aircraft warfare (AAW) with SIPER surface-to-air missiles; tactical land strikes with GEZGIN cruise missiles; anti-submarine warfare (ASW) with towed array sonar, anti-submarine rockets, and ASW helicopters; and anti-surface warfare (ASuW) with Atmaca missiles.

The TF-2000 will incorporate almost every technological achievement made by Türkiye in the field of naval systems in the last decade, including an indigenous vertical launch system (VLS) fitted with domestic surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) and Gezgin land-attack cruise missiles (LACMs), as well as directed-energy weapons including high-energy lasers (HELs).

These capabilities would allow the TF-2000 to engage high-value targets at ranges over 1000 kilometres away, using its land-attack cruise missiles, to establish anti-access or area denial zones, with various types of guided munitions ranging from 96 VLS cells, and systems for defending friendly ships against enemy AShMs, using onboard high-energy lasers. The TF-2000s can also act as host platforms for unmanned systems, as they will include up to four missile-toting armed unmanned surface vessels (AUSVs), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). The TF-2000 will also likely be the first Turkish naval ship class to operationally deploy the indigenous Şahi-209 electromagnetic rail gun. The TF-2000 will boast an indigenous 127mm main gun,  1000+km-ranged Gezgin land-attack cruise missiles, 324mm Orka lightweight torpedoes, two Aselsan 35mm Gökdeniz CIWS, two Meteksan Nazar high-energy lasers, chaff decoy systems, two weapon stations for UMTAS anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) and four remote weapon stations.

Passive defences

The class will feature an extensive radar and sensor suite of domestic origin to detect enemy targets, so that missiles can be directed towards them. They will include towed array sonar, multi-function radar, illumination/fire control radar, long range radar and electronic scanning systems.

Missiles and guns under evaluation

* Atmaca ( SSM)
* RIM-156 SM-2 Block IV ( SAM)
* RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile ( SAM)
* RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile ( CIWS-PDMS)
* VL ASROC ( ASW)
* ROKETSAN Gezgin Land Attack (Cruise) Missile
* G-40 Surface To Air Missile
*Naval version of Hisar-U with extended range
* Aselsan STAMP
*Electromagnetic Railgun or 127 mm Naval Gun

Countermeasures under evaluation

* Directed Energy Weapons
*Directional Infrared Counter Measures

Sensors under evaluation

* ASELSAN ÇAFRAD ÇFR (Çok Fonksiyonlu Radar) / (Multi-function radar)
* ASELSAN ÇAFRAD AYR (Aydınlatma Radarı) / (Illumination/fire-control radar)
* ASELSAN ÇAFRAD UMR (Uzun Menzilli Radar) / (Long range radar)
* ASELSAN ÇAFRAD IFF (Elektronik Taramalı IFF)

Aircraft

* Sikorsky S-70B Seahawk
*Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

See also

* Guided missile frigate
* Anti-air warfare

References

External links

Turkish Navy R&D Projects
*

Turkish Navy Official Website

Bosphorus Naval News

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tf2000 Class Destroyer
Tf2000 Class Destroyer
Tf2000 Class Destroyer
Destroyer classes