The presence of the Turkish defense industry in the field of naval platforms in Europe is on the agenda with a new procurement process. It has been stated that Romania, a member of NATO and the European Union, is continuing its contacts with Ankara for the purchase of a second warship from Turkey.
The Bucharest administration had previously purchased the Hisar-class Contraamiral August Roman light corvette from Turkey for 223 million euros and added it to the Romanian Naval Forces inventory. It is stated that the goal in the new process is a second Turkish warship that will increase the capacity of the Romanian navy.
According to information provided by ASFAT officials, technical discussions between the parties are ongoing. While it is stated that there is openness to technology transfer in a potential agreement, it was also noted that ASFAT has begun preparations to open a branch in Romania.
A separate modernization package is also on the agenda for the existing corvette. Within the scope of the second phase, which is stated to have been approved by Romania and worth 42 million euros, it is planned to strengthen the ship with domestic defense systems.
In this context, the ASELSAN-produced GÖKDENİZ Close-In Air Defense System, TAKS 100 Naval Gun Fire Control System, and PİRİ Infrared Search and Track System will be integrated into the ship. It was also reported that a vertical missile launch system and torpedo systems are included in the package.
In the later stages of the modernization, it is aimed to provide anti-ship missile capability as well. Thus, the goal is to increase the corvette's air defense, target detection, and surface warfare capabilities.
The corvette, which has completed its first firing tests with the MKE-produced 76-millimeter DENİZHAN naval gun and has begun active duty, points to the possibility that defense industry cooperation between Ankara and Bucharest could be moved to a broader framework.
News Source: 12punto
