Haluk Görgün, head of Turkish Defence Industries, described the event as a milestone in strengthening Türkiye’s maritime power. "This proud day brings us one step closer to our goal of having a stronger and more deterrent navy in the Blue Homeland," he stated on social media.
Görgün emphasized Türkiye’s achievements in developing domestic defense technologies, highlighting the successful development of various electronic systems, including different types of radars, communication systems, electronic support and attack systems, combat management systems, and, most recently, vertical launch systems integrated with missile systems of various ranges.
"Thanks to the development of these advanced and critical systems by our country, we have increased the domestic content rate in our warships from 20% to 80% over the past 23 years," Görgün stated. "With the military shipbuilding industry breakthrough we initiated 25 years ago with the MİLGEM Project, we have renewed the platforms in the inventory of our Naval Forces Command and brought them to a level that competes with those of advanced navies. Particularly in the last two years, with numerous naval platform projects added to the inventory, we have achieved success that the world closely follows, analyzes, and admires. However, we will not settle for this success."
He further noted that Türkiye is now among the select countries capable of designing, constructing, outfitting, and maintaining all types of military vessels, including amphibious ships, support ships, warships, submarine rescue ships, and unmanned naval vehicles.
The second YLCT is set to be launched within a week, with the remaining vessels expected to be completed within 27 months. The YLCTs are designed for versatile operations, including transporting vehicles and personnel, combat missions, humanitarian aid, natural disaster response, and evacuation operations.
Türkiye has been expanding its naval defense exports in recent years, delivering domestically built warships to Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Qatar. In December 2024, Turkish defense company STM announced a contract to construct two naval logistics ships for Portugal, marking Türkiye’s first military shipbuilding export to a NATO and EU member state.
