Warship
What Is a Warship?
A warship (Turkish: savaş gemisi) is a vessel with exceptional, heavy firepower, armored for protection against attacks. It is any naval vessel designed and built primarily for combat — carrying weapons, sensors, and the crew to operate them in combat at sea. Warships range from small patrol boats to aircraft carriers.
Classification of Warships
- Aircraft carriers (CV/CVN): mobile airfields projecting air power globally
- Destroyers (DDG): multi-mission surface combatants; area air defense, ASW, strike
- Frigates (FF/FFG): escort and patrol; İSTİF class (Türkiye)
- Corvettes (FSG): coastal/littoral combat; MİLGEM class (Türkiye)
- Submarines (SS/SSN/SSBN): PREVEZE and REİS class (Türkiye)
- Patrol vessels / fast attack craft: coastal defense and interdiction
- Amphibious ships (LHD/LPD): TCG ANADOLU (Türkiye)
- Mine warfare vessels: minelayers and minesweepers
Turkish Naval Fleet
The Turkish Navy operates one of NATO’s largest fleets in its region: 4 PREVEZE-class and 4 GÜR-class submarines, 16+ frigates and corvettes (YAVUZ, GABYA, BARBAROS, MİLGEM classes), TCG ANADOLU LHD, and numerous patrol and mine warfare vessels. The İSTİF-class frigate program, MILDEN submarine, and TF-2000 air defense destroyer are future platforms under development.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a warship?
A naval vessel designed and built for combat at sea — armed, crewed, and equipped with sensors and weapons systems.
Source: SSB Defense Industry 360 Glossary of Terms.

