The policy of the "Open Sea" adopted by the military and political leadership of Turkey is designed to guarantee the long-term stay of the warships of the national Navy in operational areas, away from coastal supply bases, on a global scale. Western military experts call Ankara's participation (since 2009) in counter-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden under the authority of the UN Security Council the first signs that the Turkish Navy intends to operate outside regional waters.
Later, in March 2014, the Turkish naval task force BARBAROS sailed around the African continent, passing about 15 thousand nautical miles. The formation consisted of the frigates F-495 TCG Gediz, F-245 TCG Oruçreis and the corvette F-511 TCG Heybeliada.
Tanker tanker TCG AKAR (A-580)The task of comprehensive provision of the BARBAROS OG was assigned to the group of tankers of the Akar type belonging to the division of auxiliary vessels of the Turkish Navy (VMB Geljuk): TCG AKAR (A-580) and TCG YARBAY KUDRET GUNGOR (A-595).
The formation of the group dates back to 2010. The experience of the OG campaign showed that due to low cruising speeds (no more than 13 knots), the support ships are not able to maintain a uniform pace with the frigates. As a result, the exhaust was running at slower speeds. Based on this experience, the command of the Turkish Navy took the initiative to build auxiliary ships of the next generation, one of the characteristics of which should be a higher cruising speed.
Logistics Support Ship construction programs for the Turkish Navy
Given Ankara's strategic ambitions and the priorities of the Turkish Navy for actions on a global scale, the nature of logistical support for combat formations is of particular importance. In this regard, the possibility of replenishment at sea (RAS) acts as a natural multiplier, which increases the operational efficiency and combat stability of both surface attack and amphibious ships. The use of RAS auxiliary ships provides a longer range and endurance of the main forces, and also allows for independent operations away from coastal supply bases. Operationally, the possibility of resupply at sea allows the formations of warships to be constantly present in a given area and immediately respond to changes in the current situation.
Resupply operation at seaWhen using coastal supply bases to replenish fuel and other basic consumables, the ships of the Turkish Navy (as well as other countries) can operate at distances not exceeding half the range of their course.
The experience of the Turkish naval OG has shown that if there are appropriate RAS ships in the group, surface force formations can remain at sea for several weeks. Practically, a surface warship supported by an auxiliary RAS ship is operationally limited only by the need to provide rest to the crew.
While the acquisition of new surface combat and amphibious ships is important, the ability to support them at sea when deployed locally, regionally and globally is also vital. In this context, along with the development of coastal infrastructure, the Turkish Navy has launched projects to upgrade its auxiliary fleet. So, by 2025, it is planned to introduce a TCG DERYA (A-1590) replenishment ship, two medium logistics ships and two new (with the possibility of purchasing two additional) tanker tankers into the Navy.
The new vessels will obviously be part of the auxiliary ships division, which currently consists of tanker tankers TCG AKAR (A-580) and TCG YARBAY KUDRET GUNGOR (A-595). The first was accepted into the fleet in September 1987, the second – in October 1995. It is also the first ship built for the Turkish Navy by a private Turkish shipbuilding company. In addition, the division operates tanker tankers for the transportation of liquid fuel of the Albay Hakki Burak project: TCG ALBAY HAKKI BURAK (A-571) and TCG YUZBASI I. TOLUNAY (A-572). The lead ship of the series was accepted into the Turkish Navy in November 1999.
Tanker tanker TCG ALBAY HAKKI BURAK (A-571)Ship for resupply at sea TCG DERYA
In order to meet the Turkish Navy's need for new generation auxiliary ships, the project "Supply Ships for Resupply at Sea" (tur. abbr. – DIMDEG) has been initiated. It provides for the construction of several vessels designed to meet the needs of surface ships operating on the high seas around the world for fuel, water, food and other types of logistics.
The first in the framework of the project was a multipurpose ship for resupply TCG DERYA (A-1590). The contract for its construction was signed by the Turkish Defense Industry Administration (SSB) on June 28, 2018 with the private shipyard Sefine Shipyard (Istanbul). Six months later, on January 25, 2019, the Sefine shipyard signed a contract with the Aselsan-Havelsan business partnership for the purchase and integration of appropriate combat control systems into the ship's design. According to open sources, their list includes: the ADVENT combat control system from Havelsan, the Ship Data Distribution System, the ship Information System, the Message Operating System, and the MAR-D radar from Aselsan.
TCG DERYA resupply ship (A-1590). SketchIn addition, it is planned to install a "friend-foe" identification system (IFF), an integrated communication system, satellite communication equipment, a KIRLANGIÇ intelligence and surveillance system on the ship.
The main armament on board will be a 25 mm stabilized naval gun STOP and two short-range air defense systems GÖKDENIZ.
It is assumed that TCG DERYA will be able to effectively combine the functions of an oil collector and a storage ship. The platform is planned to be used to replenish fuel, water, food, spare parts, medicines and ammunition at sea. The ship with a displacement of 22 thousand tons will have an overall length of 194.8 m, a height of 7.2 m and a width of 24.4 m.
The power plant consists of two LM2500 gas turbines (24 thousand hp) and two diesel engines. Sefine Shipyard signed a contract for their delivery in June 2020 with the American GE Marine. It is reported that TCG DERYA will be able to reach a maximum speed of 24 knots. The minimum autonomy is 30 days, the maximum cruising range is 4,500 nautical miles.
The ship's design also provides for a large helipad and an enclosed hangar to accommodate two multi-purpose helicopters weighing up to 15 tons. It is reported that TCG DERYA will be able to perform the functions of an operational control center. The ship is scheduled to be commissioned into the Turkish Navy in 2024.
To be continued…
Based on the materials of the European Security & Defense magazine
