October 5,
2008: A Turkish shipyard has launched
the first of twelve Heybeliada class corvettes. These 2,000 ton ships are the
first modern warships designed and built in Turkey, using largely Turkish made
components. The Heybeliadas are 325 feet long and have a crew of 93. Weapons
include a 76mm gun, eight Harpoon anti-ship missiles, 21 RAM missiles for use
against aircraft and anti-ship missiles, two torpedo tubes, two 12.7mm
machine-guns and a helicopter. Electronics include radar, sonar and electronics
warfare gear. Top speed is 52 kilometers an hour and endurance is about 21
days. Turkey plans to have the first one entering service in two years. The
entire class won't be completed until 2028, and four of the later ones will be
slightly larger and armed with more anti-aircraft weapons. The first eight will
spend most of their time performing coast guard duties.
