ASFAT to construct first Turkish air defense destroyer TF2000, inks deal for 4 OPVs

IDEF 2025 — Defense contractor ASFAT was selected by the Turkish navy to build Ankara’s first indigenous air defense destroyer, according to a signing ceremony held today at the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) stand at IDEF 2025.

The TF2000 is a 149 meter destroyer with speed more than 28 knots, according to the company. The deal, which covers the construction of one ship expected to be launched in 2028 and delivered to the navy by 2030, was inked between ASFAT CEO Mustafa Ilbas and Turkish navy commander Admiral Ercument Tatlioglu. A dollar value was not announced.

An official at ASFAT’s stand told Breaking Defense that the steel cutting of the vessel will start in November 2025 and that it will be equipped with a phased array radar developed and produced by Aselsan.

“In summary, this ship is going to be a game changer in air defense, not only [to secure the] sea but also mainland,” the official said.

Construction of  the TF2000 will take place in Istanbul shipyard. ASFAT hopes to build one full block of the ship before the end of this year. The overall build consists of about 60 blocks. Once construction is completed, the vessel will be equipped with two vertical launching systems with a total of 96 cells. It will also feature an indigenously-produced, 127mm main gun.

ASFAT this week also sealed a deal to equip the Turkish navy with four offshore patrol vessels. The design of the OPVs is based on the Ada-class corvette and the firm expects to finish building the four ship in 36 months.

The vessels will be built in Istanbul shipyard, and will be equipped with weapons, sensors, main gun and vertical launchers.

ASFAT is a government owned contractor that operates in 10 shipyards, and has been eyeing expansion in export deals. In August 2024, the firm put into service what it called the largest submarine floating dock, with a 3,000-ton lifting capacity.

At its booth in IDEF 2025, ASFAT also displayed a model of the Mildem, a national submarine which ASFAT became main contractor of “two moths ago” according to the firm official, who told Breaking Defense that the deal was sealed and the submarine is now in the design phase. The submarine’s initial design is 80 meters long with a 7 meter beam, displacement of 2,700 tons and a crew of 40 on board.