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TURKEY PILES UP ARMS, INTRODUCES ANTI-SUBMARINE WARSHIP
PanARMENIAN.Net
September 28, 2011 - 16:20 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
introduced the first domestically produced warship, Heybeliada which
was unveiled Tuesday in Istanbul's Naval Shipyard Command.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Prime Minister Erdogan said that
"Turkey has taken its place among 10 countries that can design and
construct warships."
The Heybeliada is classified as a patrol and anti-submarine warship.
The Turkish Navy has been developing the vessel for the past three
years, as part of the National Ship (MILGEM) project.
The Heybeliada has become operational amid Turkey's efforts to position
itself as a greater power in the waters of the Eastern Mediterranean.
Turkey is in the midst of a dispute with the Greek Cypriot government
over maritime resources in the region.
Turkey has said in the past that it seeks to boost its military
presence in the region, to fend off what it perceives as Cyprus'
"hogging" of gas rights, and what it claims is Israel's overreach in
the East Mediterranean waters.
Turkey said its naval ships could escort Turkish energy exploration
ships in the Mediterranean, raising the possibility of a naval
confrontation. "We will try all channels of peace but we will also
protect our country's interests until the end," Erdogan said during
the ceremony, commenting on the gas row.
Turkey has also stated that it may choose to dispatch warships to
escort future Gaza-bound flotillas, in wake of the 2010 deadly raid
on the Marmara, and Israel's refusal to apologize for the incident.
The flotilla raid, which left nine Turkish citizens dead, has propelled
into a full-fledged diplomatic crisis between the once-close Israel
and Turkey.
The ceremony also marked the first test-sail of the MILGEM project's
second warship, "Buyukada."
The warships' prototype cost close to $260 million to develop,
Today's Zaman reported.
PanARMENIAN.Net
September 28, 2011 - 16:20 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
introduced the first domestically produced warship, Heybeliada which
was unveiled Tuesday in Istanbul's Naval Shipyard Command.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Prime Minister Erdogan said that
"Turkey has taken its place among 10 countries that can design and
construct warships."
The Heybeliada is classified as a patrol and anti-submarine warship.
The Turkish Navy has been developing the vessel for the past three
years, as part of the National Ship (MILGEM) project.
The Heybeliada has become operational amid Turkey's efforts to position
itself as a greater power in the waters of the Eastern Mediterranean.
Turkey is in the midst of a dispute with the Greek Cypriot government
over maritime resources in the region.
Turkey has said in the past that it seeks to boost its military
presence in the region, to fend off what it perceives as Cyprus'
"hogging" of gas rights, and what it claims is Israel's overreach in
the East Mediterranean waters.
Turkey said its naval ships could escort Turkish energy exploration
ships in the Mediterranean, raising the possibility of a naval
confrontation. "We will try all channels of peace but we will also
protect our country's interests until the end," Erdogan said during
the ceremony, commenting on the gas row.
Turkey has also stated that it may choose to dispatch warships to
escort future Gaza-bound flotillas, in wake of the 2010 deadly raid
on the Marmara, and Israel's refusal to apologize for the incident.
The flotilla raid, which left nine Turkish citizens dead, has propelled
into a full-fledged diplomatic crisis between the once-close Israel
and Turkey.
The ceremony also marked the first test-sail of the MILGEM project's
second warship, "Buyukada."
The warships' prototype cost close to $260 million to develop,
Today's Zaman reported.