Turkey’s First Hisar Class OPV TCG Akhisar Starts Sea Trials
TCG Akhisar (P-1220), Turkey’s first indigenously developed Hisar-class offshore patrol vessel (OPV), left the port for its first sea cruise experience on December 12, following the flag hoisting ceremony held at Istanbul Shipyard Command. Thus, TCG Akhisar OPV officially began its sea trials.
TCG Akhisar is the first of two offshore patrol vessels (OPV) built at Istanbul Shipyard Command under the main contractors of ASFAT within the scope of the Hisar Project, which was initiated in line with the needs of the Turkish Naval Forces Command. This modern platform, whose construction process started in 2021, was launched in 2023 and will be ready to enter service in 2025 following the Sea Acceptance Tests. The second ship of the project, TCG Koçhisar, will soon start sea trials and, like TCG Akhisar, will join the Turkish naval inventory next year.
The Hisar class OPV platform is designed to perform fundamental tasks such as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, search and rescue, anti-terrorism, control of maritime jurisdiction regions, maritime security, smuggling and piracy prevention, and humanitarian aid in natural disasters. Secondary missions for the ship include naval air operations, electronic and acoustic warfare, bombardment of shore targets, defense against asymmetrical threats, maritime transport protection, and support and training within the scope of amphibious operations.
Based on the MİLGEM Ada Class Corvette design, these Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) boast a full load displacement of 2,300 tons, measuring 100 meters in length, 14.42 meters in beam, and a draft of 3.77 meters. The vessels are powered by a Combined Diesel-Electric or Diesel (CODELOD) propulsion system, providing a top speed of 24 knots and a range of 4,500 nautical miles. Crew capacity is set at 104 personnel, with the flexibility to accommodate an additional 14 people. The vessels also have a helipad for helicopters and uncrewed aerial vehicles.
The Hisar-Class OPV has a simpler weapon and sensor load compared to the MİLGEM Ada-Class corvettes. These are as follows:
Weapon Systems:
- 1 MKE-produced 76/62mm naval gun
- 2 UNIROBOTICS-produced Targan 12.7 mm Remote Controlled Stabilized Turrets
- 1 ASELSAN-produced Gökdeniz 35mm CIWS (Close-In Weapon System)
- 8 ROKETSAN-produced Hisar-O Air Defense Missiles
- 8 ROKETSAN-produced Atmaca Anti-Ship Missiles
- 2 ASELSAN-produced 6-cell DSH (Anti-Submarine Warfare) Rocket Launchers
Sensor and Electronic Systems:
- METEKSAN-produced YAKAMOS 2020 New Generation Hull-Mounted Sonar
- ASELSAN-produced MAR-D 3D Search Radar
- ASELSAN-produced Piri-KATS (Infrared Search and Tracking System)
- ASELSAN-produced DENİZGÖZÜ AHTOPOT-S Electro-Optical Search System
- 2 ASELSAN-produced AKR-D Fire Control Radars
- TÜBİTAK-produced YELKOVAN Radar Electronic Support System
- HAVELSAN-produced ADVENT SYS (Combat Management System)