Türkiye has begun construction of the first block of its TF-2000 Air Defense Destroyer, marking a major milestone for one of the country’s most strategically significant naval programs, the Ministry of National Defense said on Thursday.
Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk, spokesperson for the ministry, told reporters during the weekly briefing that work on the first TF-2000 hull block has started at the Istanbul Shipyard Command. Designed to integrate the country’s emerging long-range air defense architecture known as the Steel Dome, the destroyer is expected to play a central role in Türkiye’s future fleet.
The TF-2000 destroyer is designed as the naval backbone of Türkiye’s long-range air and missile defense system. The start of block construction represents the program’s most concrete advancement to date and signals a broader acceleration of the Steel Dome initiative — a multi-layered air defense network under development by Türkiye’s defense industry.
Defense officials say the destroyer will provide enhanced air-space surveillance, long-range engagement capability, and integrated missile-defense functions — capabilities long sought by the Turkish Navy.
Industry analysts view the development as the beginning of a new era for the navy’s air defense warfare posture.
Defense Deliveries: Howitzer Progress, Aircraft Retrofit, Ammunition Shipments
The ministry also announced progress across several major programs:
- Land Forces Command completed inspection and acceptance of new 17-personnel hulled boats, which have now entered the inventory.
- MKE delivered various quantities and calibers of weapons and ammunition.
- ASFAT A.Ş. finalized prototype qualification and acceptance for the first system under the 8×8 T-155 Tactical Wheeled Vehicle – Integrated Panther Howitzer Project, transferring the platform to the Land Forces.
- The ninth A400M transport aircraft completed its retrofit at the 2nd Air Maintenance Factory Directorate and was delivered to the Air Force on 21 November.
International Activity and UAV Testing Schedule
Türkiye’s defense institutions will maintain a strong international presence next month:
- The Turkish Naval Forces will attend the EDEX-2025 defense exhibition in Egypt between 1–4 December.
- Under an agreement between the Presidency of Defense Industries and Baykar, Bayraktar TB3 UAV flight and subsystem tests are scheduled for 1–3 December in Antalya.
