The "MİLGEM" project, which envisages the construction of 12 corvette ships by the Turkish Navy, takes its name from "MİLGEM" (National Ship), summarizing its objective and indicating that national resources will be used to the maximum extent possible.
Bu kapsamda; gemi üzerine konacak sistemlerin yurtdışı üreticilerinin Türkiye’ye bilgi transferi ve gemi sistemlerinin büyük ölçüde milli imkanlarla imali, projenin ana hedefi olup MİLGEM Projesindeki Milli Katkı payının %80 civarında olacağı beklenmektedir.
Following a review of the experience gained from previous shipbuilding projects of the Naval Forces, it was concluded that by combining the Naval Forces' shipbuilding experience and capacity with the capabilities of private sector shipyards, universities, and national industry in Türkiye, a shipbuilding project of the size and complexity of an offshore patrol vessel could be realized. Therefore, it was decided that the design and construction of the first vessel would be completed at the Istanbul Shipyard Command. The construction of the other vessels will continue in domestic private sector shipyards, depending on their capabilities.
Design work for the first MİLGEM Corvette, named TCG HEYBELİADA, began on March 12, 2004, by the MİLGEM Project Office established at the Istanbul Shipyard Command. The preliminary design of the ship was completed in November 2004, and project work is currently ongoing. TCG HEYBELİADA is targeted to enter service in 2011.
