Date: Issue 123 - July 2023 Update: October 08, 2024
On June 20, 2023, during a ceremony held at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard Command, the Turkish flag was hoisted on the TCG Istanbul (F-515) Frigate, which was constructed as part of the ISTIF Class Frigate Project carried out by the Defense Industry Agency (SSB) for the Turkish Naval Forces Command (TNFC). The frigate embarked on its first sea voyage on the same day, officially commencing the Sea Acceptance Tests (SAT).
The 'Steel-Cutting Ceremony' of TCG Istanbul took place on January 19, 2017, at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard Command, and the frigate was launched on January 23, 2021, with a ceremony. During the Teknofest Istanbul Aerospace and Technology Festival, I had the opportunity to talk with a naval officer who mentioned that the temporary acceptance of TCG Istanbul was scheduled to take place on May 29, 2023, followed by the start of the Sea Acceptance Tests (SAT). The TCG Istanbul Frigate is planned to be delivered to the Turkish Navy on September 6, 2023.