MILGEM Delivery and Inventory File: How Many Ships Have Been Produced, Which Navies Are Using Them? (2026)

MİLGEM is a national ship program initiated to meet the needs of the Turkish Navy through domestic design and production. The program started with Ada-class corvettes for patrol and anti-submarine missions, and later expanded with İstif-class frigates that offer air defense and a broader range of missions.

The ships’ combat management system (GENESIS), sensors, and weapon integration are largely provided by domestic companies such as ASELSAN, HAVELSAN, and ROKETSAN. In this respect, MİLGEM is seen as a flagship program that reflects the maturity of Turkish shipbuilding and the maritime systems industry.

MİLGEM ships are serving not only in the Turkish Navy but also in the inventories of export customers. The table below summarizes the classes, quantities, and status according to open sources.

MİLGEM has also been offered to countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand; this demonstrates the platform’s international competitiveness.

The first ship of the project, the Ada class corvette TCG Heybeliada (F-511), was commissioned into the Turkish Navy on September 27, 2011. This was a milestone for Turkey in terms of adding a domestically designed warship to its inventory.

Heybeliada was followed by TCG Büyükada, TCG Burgazada, and TCG Kınalıada; the four corvette Ada class was completed in 2019. Attention then shifted to the larger and more heavily armed İstif class frigates.

Four Ada-class corvettes have been completed for the Turkish Navy; the first ship of the İstif-class frigate program, TCG Istanbul, entered service in January 2024, and the delivery of the remaining ships is ongoing. A total of 8 ships have been contracted for export with Pakistan and Ukraine.

So far, two ships (PNS Babur and PNS Khaibar) have been delivered to Pakistan; the remaining two ships are being built in Karachi with Turkish support. This demonstrates that MİLGEM can export not only products but also production technology.

MİLGEM is one of the largest maritime export successes of the Turkish defense industry. Under the agreement signed with Pakistan in 2018 for 4 corvettes, half of the ships are produced in Istanbul and half at the Karachi Shipyard with Turkish support; this model also includes technology transfer.

Ada class corvettes compete in the same segment as Germany’s Braunschweig (K130) class, Sweden’s Visby class, and the France-Italy partnership’s Gowind class ships in the global market. The standout feature of MİLGEM is its full integration with domestic combat management systems and national weapons like ATMACA.

The İstif class frigates are gaining regional air defense capability with vertical launch systems and HİSAR air defense missiles. This gradual growth allows Turkey to establish an integrated ship family extending from corvettes to frigates, and from there to the TF-2000 air defense destroyer.

• Ada class corvette — patrol and anti-submarine (4 ships, Turkish Navy)
• İstif (Istanbul) class frigate — multi-purpose, air defense (plan for 8 ships)
• Babur/Jinnah class — enlarged corvette for Pakistan (4 ships)
• TF-2000 air defense destroyer — the next step developed with MİLGEM expertise

MİLGEM was developed under the leadership of the Turkish Naval Forces design office; STM took on the role of main contractor for export and serial production. The ships are being built at Istanbul Shipyard and private shipyards.

The combat management system (GENESIS/ADVENT) is provided by HAVELSAN and ASELSAN, while the weapon systems are supplied by ROKETSAN and ASELSAN. This extensive domestic supply chain gives MİLGEM a ‘national ship’ identity.

MİLGEM has transformed Turkey from a country that imports warships to one that designs and exports warships. The agreements with Pakistan and Ukraine are proof of the international recognition of this transformation.

The program ensures that the Turkish Navy acquires a domestic and modern fleet within the framework of the ‘Blue Homeland’ doctrine; it also sustains a broad ecosystem in shipbuilding, combat systems, and missile industry.

Four Ada-class corvettes have been completed for the Turkish Navy (2011–2019), and the delivery of eight İstif-class frigates is ongoing. In exports, Pakistan ordered 4, and Ukraine ordered 4 ships; 2 ships (PNS Babur, PNS Khaibar) have been delivered to Pakistan.

In addition to Turkey, Pakistan (Babur/Jinnah class) and Ukraine (order) are using them; offers/deals are also on the agenda for countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.

The first ship of the project, the Ada-class corvette TCG Heybeliada (F-511), entered service with the Turkish Navy on September 27, 2011.

Pakistan ordered 4 ships in 2018; two are being produced in Istanbul, and two in Karachi. PNS Babur was delivered in 2022, and PNS Khaibar will be delivered in 2025.

The İstif (Istanbul) class is the frigate version of the MİLGEM project, which is larger than the corvette. Eight ships are planned for the Turkish Navy; the first, TCG İstanbul (F-515), will enter service in January 2024.

They carry a 76 mm gun, up to 8 ATMACA anti-ship missiles, air defense missiles (HİSAR on İstif), 324 mm torpedoes, and a general-purpose helicopter; they are managed by the ASELSAN/HAVELSAN GENESIS combat management system.