TF2000-class frigate

The TF-2000 class frigate is a projected anti-air warfare frigate 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 communication, reconnaissance, early warning, surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare and electronic warfare. On December 5, 2007, Defence Industry Executive Committee approved plans to build six ships of this class (4 fixed, 2 optional). On January 2013, it was announced that Turkey was now planning to acquire a total of 8 Tf-2000 frigates. With the realization of the project, it is intended to improve the Anti-Air Warfare (AAW) capabilities of the Turkish Navy.

Description
At the moment, preliminary studies are conducted and configuration of the platform is being evaluated. The project necessitates 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 is targeted to be 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 purposes to nurture the in-country technology and engineering applications as well as the nationalisation of the critical systems for the national defence industry. In February 2011, the feasibility studies of the submitted RFI documents were completed, stepping forward to the development of a project model.

Armament
On 23 to 25 March 2009, the Undersecretary of Turkish Defence Industries, Murad Bayar, held talks with SAAB Bofors Dynamics of Sweden and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace of Norway for the production of RBS15 Mk.III/IV and Naval Strike Missile surface-to-surface missile systems in Turkey, to be used on the TF-2000 and MILGEM project warships of the Turkish Navy.

Few details are known about weapons and sensors under evaluation, but each ship will have 32 VLS cells, a Mk 41 launcher that fires SM-2 Standard and RIM-162 ESSM anti-air missiles, two helicopters, a 127-mm gun, antiship missiles and antisubmarine-warfare torpedoes.

Missiles under evaluation:
 * Harpoon and/or RBS15 Mk.III/IV and/or Naval Strike Missile (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)
 * Indigenous naval cruise missile currently being developed by Roketsan

Countermeasures under evaluation:
 * Laser Directed Kinetic Energy Weapons
 * Directional Infrared Counter Measures

Aircraft:
 * Sikorsky S-70B2 Seahawk
 * Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

Related development

 * MILGEM project

Possible cooperation

 * Global Combat Ship