Turkey is making considerable waves with its naval expansion efforts, underscoring its rising ambitions on the international maritime stage. Earlier this month, the Turkish navy welcomed two new frigates, reinforcing the nation's commitment to enhancing its maritime power. Haluk Gorgun, head of the presidency’s Secretariat of Defense Industries, heralded the significance of these vessels during the launch ceremony, stating, "Turkey is taking firm steps to become a country that's strong at sea, with deterrence in the field and a voice at the table." This strategic development is part of a broader naval expansion initiative aimed at asserting Turkish authority across the Mediterranean, Aegean, and Black Seas.
This aggressive maritime strategy is grounded in the "Blue Homeland" doctrine, which was developed by Turkish naval officers back in 2006. The doctrine aims to secure Turkey's control over its surrounding waters and has already led to various territorial disputes with Greece and Cyprus, particularly concerning undersea energy resources.
Suha Cubukcuoglu, senior researcher at Trends Research & Advisory, commented on Turkey's enhanced capabilities, arguing, "It not only shifts the regional balance of power but also marks Turkey’s emergence as a blue-water navy capable of projecting force abroad." This shift reflects the country’s aspirations to solidify its standing as a regional power.
The frigates launched this month are just part of Turkey’s ambitious plans, which include adding another 29 ships currently under construction. This fleet expansion includes the nation’s first domestically built submarines, destroyers, and even plans for an aircraft carrier, which would significantly bolster Turkey's naval presence.
With tensions growing around maritime trade routes, especially as conflicts flare up near Yemen and the Black Sea, Turkey is positioning itself not just defensively but also as an assertive player. The current geopolitical climate has highlighted the importance of naval capabilities. Turkey's recent naval enhancements have also coincided with Greece's measures to boost its navy, having spent approximately $3.5 billion on French frigates.
Turkey is increasing its defense spending at an unprecedented rate, allocating 1.6 trillion liras (around $45.1 billion) for defense-related activities by 2025, which signals its intent to reduce dependence on foreign military suppliers. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has championed this military build-up as part of his vision for increasing domestic production of defense materials.
Much of what Turkey is now capable of stems from its growing domestic defense industry. The two new frigates, built at Istanbul-based TAIS Shipyards under contract with the state-owned STM, are equipped with advanced weaponry and electronic-warfare systems sourced mainly from local firms like Roketsan AS and Istanbul-listed company, Anadolu Efes (i.e., the relevant Turkish defense firms). "While some projects still rely on foreign partnerships — especially with Germany — there is a growing focus on self-reliance," remarked Sine Ozkarasahin, highlighting the evolutionary leap Turkey has made over the years.
Twenty years ago, Turkey's naval capabilities were largely dependent on US and NATO-supplied equipment; today, domestic contributions now comprise about 75% to 80% of inputs for naval projects. This move not only brings autonomy but also allows for increased revenue generation through foreign sales. Turkish shipyards have claimed numerous contracts from nations like Qatar, Pakistan, Ukraine, and Iraq, with recent orders from Saudi Arabia and Malaysia, and their first NATO and EU customer, Portugal, showcasing their reach and growing influence.
These developments come at a time when the global defense market is entering accelerated growth, driven by geopolitical tensions. Analysts project this naval systems market could be worth $7.8 billion by 2032. Representatives from the Turkish defense industry acknowledge this potential, emphasizing, "The global naval systems market is poised for growth, also influenced by especially geopolitical and geo-strategic factors."
Through these initiatives, Turkey's naval capabilities are set to not only shield its interests but also strengthen its standing within NATO as it increasingly develops and exports more sophisticated naval systems. Looking forward, the very essence of Turkey's naval expansion reflects its desire to reshape regional dynamics and establish itself as a formidable maritime power, capable of influencing not just local matters but projecting power far beyond its shores.