The Argentine Navy is working on a project with the Turkish defense company ASELSAN to technologically upgrade its MEKO 360-class destroyers.
ASELSAN is offering its experience in modernizing the Turkish Navy's Barbaros-class frigates with domestically produced systems to the Argentine Navy.
The Argentine Navy plans to replace the MEKO 360 and MEKO 140 class destroyers it purchased from Germany in the 1980s with new frigates and extend the lifespan of its existing vessels. As part of this plan, discussions are underway with ASELSAN for the modernization of two MEKO 360 destroyers, the ARA ’Hércules‘ and ARA ’Santísima Trinidad‘.
ASELSAN is offering domestically produced defense industry products, used in the modernization project of the Barbaros frigates, to the Argentine Navy. These products include radar, electronic warfare, weapon control, missile, torpedo, sonar, communication, and navigation systems. The project offered by ASELSAN will be shaped according to the needs of the Argentine Navy and Türkiye's funding capabilities.
The Argentine Navy aims to extend the lifespan of its MEKO 360 destroyers and increase its effectiveness in regional security and maritime operations through their modernization. Turkey wishes to develop cooperation with Argentina in the field of defense industry.
BARBAROS Class Frigate Modernization Project
The modernization of the Barbaros-class frigates is a project that involves replacing the existing combat and navigation systems of four frigates in the inventory of the Turkish Naval Forces Command with domestically produced systems. The project began with a contract signed in 2018 between the Presidency of Defence Industries and the ASELSAN-HAVELSAN Joint Venture.
The aim of the project is to extend the lifespan of the Barbaros-class frigates, enhance their combat capabilities, and enable them to be more effective in regional security and maritime activities. As part of the project, the following systems on the Barbaros-class frigates will be modernized:
- War Management SystemDeveloped by HAVELSAN, the ADVENT Combat Management System will replace the existing TACTICOS Combat Management System. ADVENT is a system that provides the ship with combat management, threat assessment, weapon fire control, tactical data link, and situational awareness.
- Close-in Air Defense System: Developed by ASELSAN, the GÖKDENİZ Close-in Air Defense System will replace the existing RAM and Phalanx systems. Gökdeniz is an improved version of the land-based close-in air defense system KORKUT. Like KORKUT, Gökdeniz has two 35 mm cannons. The dual-barrel system can fire 1100 rounds per minute. The system has a range of 4 km.
- Anti-ship Missile System: Developed by ROKETSAN, the ATMACA Anti-Ship Missile will replace the existing Harpoon missiles. ATMACA is a radar-guided missile system with a range of 220 km that protects ships against surface targets. The number of missiles will also be increased from 4x2 to 4x4.
- Gun Fire Control System: Developed by ASELSAN, the AKR-D Fire Control Radar will replace the existing STING EO Mk2 system. AKR-D is a phased-array, X-band radar system that provides fire control for the ship's 127 mm gun.
- Remotely Controlled Stabilized Gun System: Developed by ASELSAN, STOP will replace the existing 25 mm guns. STOP is a remotely controlled, stabilized, electro-optically guided gun system that protects the ship against surface and air targets.
- Torpedo Countermeasures System: Developed by ASELSAN, HIZIR will replace the existing AN/SLQ-25 Nixie system. HIZIR is a system that protects ships against torpedo threats and provides acoustic jamming and deception.
- Electronic Warfare System: Developed by ASELSAN, ARES-2NC will replace the existing AN/SLQ-32 system. ARES-2NC is a system that protects the ship against radar threats and provides electronic support and electronic attack.
- Electro-Optical Camera System: Developed by ASELSAN, PIRI-KATS will replace the existing DIRIS system. PIRI-KATS is an infrared and electro-optical system that provides the ship with optical search, tracking, and identification capabilities.
- Hull Mounted Sonar System: Developed by ASELSAN, FERSAH will replace the existing DE1160 system. FERSAH is an active and passive sonar system that provides the ship with underwater search, tracking, and identification capabilities.
The modernization project for the Barbaros-class frigates is planned to be completed in 2025. Through this project, the Barbaros-class frigates will be equipped with products from the Turkish defense industry, contributing to Turkey's goal of becoming a regional and global naval power.
Note
If you have any photos or video footage to support our news story, please share them with us using the information provided on our contact us page.
