Turkey’s Second Largest Ship, TCG DERYA Begins Sea Trials
The TCG DERYA (A-1590), a Replenishment at Sea and Combat Support Ship (DIMDEG), produced by Sefine Shipyard and the Turkish Navy’s second largest ship after the TCG ANADOLU Multi-Purpose Amphibious Assault Ship (LHD), began its first sea trial with a ceremony that was not announced to the press. The TCG DERYA will now undergo Sea Acceptance Tests following its navigational experience and will be delivered to Turkish Naval Forces Command in the fourth quarter of 2023.
TCG DERYA, the sole ship of the Replenishment at Sea and Combat Support Ship (DIMDEG) Procurement Project began construction on 10 July 2018 under a contract signed by the Defense Industries Agency (SSB) and Sefine Shipyard. Many local suppliers, including Turkish defense firms such as Aselsan and Havelsan, played an important role in developing the ship’s local subcomponents, which was built under the main contractor of Sefine Shipyard.
The main mission of TCG DERYA (A-1590), which is expected to enter service in 2024, will be to resupply at least four ships (with food, water, medical supplies, fuel, ammunition, and so on) during Turkish Navy operations in the open seas and transoceanic waters via replenishment at sea. The ship’s secondary duty is to support the maintenance and repair of the ships and the manned and unmanned surface and underwater vehicles, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles stationed on them at a certain level. DIMDEG can also serve as a command-and-control ship during wartime due to its effective war management capabilities. Non-combat operations will include humanitarian aid, anti-piracy operations, natural disaster relief, search and rescue, and evacuation of non-combatants.
The Replenishment at Sea and Combat Support Ship, or DIMDEG for short, has a length of 195 meters, a height of 7.2 meters, a width of 25 meters, and a displacement of 26,000 tons. The ship has a cruising range of 4 500 nautical miles and a top speed of 24 knots thanks to two LM2500 marine gas turbines and two diesel engines developed by General Electric Marine. The ship, which can operate in the open sea for 30 days without refueling, can accommodate a crew of more than 320 personnel and has a helipad for helicopter landing and take-off. The ship is equipped with two ASELSAN-manufactured GÖKDENİZ 35mm double-barreled close-in weapon systems (CIWS) and two ASELSAN STOP 25mm Stabilized Gun Systems for self-defense.