Another critical milestone has been reached in the MİLGEM Project, which will further strengthen the Turkish Navy. Anadolu Shipyard (ADİK), within the scope of the project carried out with the Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB), launched the 9th MİLGEM ship, TCG Akdeniz, on February 2, 2026, in a ceremony. In this project, carried out in partnership with TAIS and STM, the serial production capabilities of private sector shipyards have been confirmed once again.
The MİLGEM (National Ship) project, launched to enhance Türkiye's deterrence in the seas and protect its "Blue Homeland" with domestically produced platforms, continues unabated. Following the Ada-Class Corvettes and Istanbul-Class Frigates, the construction of the next generation of ships in the project is underway simultaneously in Turkish private sector shipyards. In this context, Anadolu Shipyard has launched TCG Akdeniz, the 9th member of the MİLGEM family.
The Stack Class TCG Akdeniz has arrived in the waters.
According to a statement released by Anadolu Shipyard on its social media account under the title "We are proud," executives from the Presidency of Defense Industries also participated in the launching ceremony held on Monday, February 2, 2026. Having been launched from the slipway and into the sea, TCG Akdeniz will now await its entry into the Turkish Naval Forces inventory after the completion of its outfitting activities.
Named after the Mediterranean Sea, one of the most strategic operational areas of Turkish maritime activity, the ship will be equipped with domestically produced modern sensor and weapon systems that will enhance the navy's operational capabilities in open seas.
Shipbuilding at Mass Production Speed Through a Partnership Between TAIS and STM
This phase of the MİLGEM project is considered one of the most successful examples of public-private sector cooperation in the Turkish defense industry. The project is being carried out under the main contractor STM (Defense Technologies Engineering and Trade Inc.) and in partnership with TAIS (Turkish Associated International Shipyards).
Thanks to this model, military shipbuilding is not confined to a single shipyard; it is distributed among competent shipyards such as Sedef, Sefine, and Anadolu (ADİK), thus increasing production speed.
Three Ships Simultaneously at Anadolu Shipyard
A statement from Anadolu Shipyard emphasized that the shipyard's role in the MİLGEM project is not limited to the 9th ship. The shipyard is simultaneously carrying out the construction and outfitting of the 6th, 9th, and 12th ships within the scope of the project, in accordance with the planned schedule.
This situation proves that Turkish shipbuilding has reached the infrastructure, engineering, and project management capacity to build multiple modern warships simultaneously. With the launch of TCG Akdeniz, the outfitting process (installation of weapons, radar, and electronic warfare systems) will begin at the dock.
