ASFAT, Turkey’s defense contractor, has showcased the design of the TF-2000 destroyer, a flagship project that will serve as the nation’s first indigenous vessel dedicated to air and missile defense.
The destroyer, a central component of the MILGEM naval program, measures 149 meters (489 feet) and incorporates systems for multi-layered defense. It is optimized to intercept and neutralize both guided and ballistic missiles, ensuring robust protection in contested maritime environments.
The design was formally presented at the IDEF 2025 exhibition in Istanbul, signaling Turkey’s determination to advance its local shipbuilding expertise. One of the standout aspects of the TF-2000 is its strengthened mast structure, engineered to host ASELSAN’s CAFRAD dual-band AESA radar, a sophisticated sensor suite offering enhanced detection and tracking capabilities.
By unveiling the TF-2000, Turkey demonstrates its ambition to evolve into a regional naval power, while simultaneously reducing reliance on foreign suppliers and expanding its defense industry’s footprint in global markets.
