ISTANBUL — Turkey’s Defence Ministry released its annual report on March 7, detailing activities it carried out in 2023 and its future goals.
The ministry listed 49 ongoing modernization and acquisition projects across the military. Listed here are some that stood out:
Land Forces
M60 tank: Two separate modernization projects are ongoing. The primary will replace the prevailing fire control system with the brand new Volkan-M, in addition to provide additional armor protection and guarded crew seats to M60T tanks. The contract was signed in January 2023. The second bolsters the firepower, survivability and mobility of M60A3 tanks. Prototype development studies are continuing.
Leopard 2 A4 tank: The platform variant is undergoing modernization work through a contract signed in 2022 between the federal government’s defense program management agency SSB and native defense contractor BMC Otomotiv. Aselsan, one other Turkish business, is providing the fireplace control systems; distant controlled weapon stations; command, control, communication and knowledge systems; laser warning systems; driver vision systems; energetic protection systems; and close-range surveillance systems. BMC will integrate these systems into the tank and overhaul the chassis.
T-155 Firtina self-propelled howitzer: The following generation of the T-155 is under construction by BMC Otomotiv. The unique contract covers the delivery of 130 units. As of the tip of 2023, the corporate had delivered eight. BMC can be developing an engine for the weapon. Inspection and acceptance activities of the prototype engine concluded Feb. 24, 2023.
ACV-15 vehicle: Aselsan is modernizing the combat vehicle by providing the 25mm Nefer turret, amongst other systems. The Defence Ministry’s 2nd Principal Maintenance Factory Directorate is conducting the repair and overhaul of the engine and the transmission of the vehicles.
Naval Forces
Milden submarine project: The Naval Forces’ design office is working on the country’s first indigenous submarine program. Construction is to happen at Gölcük Shipyard Command. A test block is to undergo construction this 12 months, and efforts to construct the primary submarine are scheduled to begin in 2025.
Reis-class submarine program: Hizirreis, the second submarine of the Reis project, which incorporates the production of six submarines, began May 25, 2023. Gölcük Naval Shipyard is carrying out the work.
Preveze-class submarine: After integration and testing activities ended on the TCG Preveze submarine, which acted as a testbed for the early delivery of the systems, the Gölcük Naval Shipyard began midlife upgrades for the TCG Sakarya in July 2022. That platform is the primary submarine to receive the modernization features, and work is ongoing. The plan is to modernize all Preveze-class subs during maintenance and overhaul periods until 2027.
Barbaros-class frigate: Turkey is working on a midlife modernization project focused on the sensors, weapons and combat management systems of Barbaros-class frigates. The primary ship to receive upgrades, the TCG Barbaros, is currently performing acceptance tests.
Air Forces
F-16 fighter jet: There are two separate projects for the Turkish Air Forces. The primary one is the procurement of recent F-16 Block 70 aircraft and the applying of Viper modernization to the prevailing F-16 Block 40/50 airframes in service. The second is supposed to increase the structural service lifetime of F-16C/D Block 40/50 aircraft currently in service to 2050, and to strengthen them structurally. This project will happen in facilities run by the first Air Maintenance Factory Directorate.
Akinci and Anka-S drones: There are ongoing efforts to purchase various sorts of Akinci and Anka-S drones. For each of those projects, Turkey considers the extension of their range via satellite as critical.
Hürjet aircraft: The first goal of this project is to design and produce a single-engine, tandem-seat jet trainer with performance features that can play a critical role in training pilots for contemporary fighter aircraft. The prototype made its maiden flight in April 2023.
Hürkuş-B aircraft: This program for a new-generation basic jet trainer is supposed to fulfill Air Force Command’s need for added training aircraft. Ultimately, that is to enhance the standard of combat readiness training and the effectiveness of flight personnel training. The primary aircraft is scheduled for delivery in 2025.
Cem Devrim Yaylali is a Turkey correspondent for Defense News. He’s a keen photographer of military ships and has a passion for writing about naval and defense issues. He was born in Paris, France, and resides in Istanbul, Turkey. He’s married with one son.