Turkey's Istanbul-class frigates considered by US for naval expansion

The United States is evaluating foreign naval designs to bolster its fleet in response to China's growing maritime power. According to Israeli media reports, Turkey's Istanbul-class frigates have emerged as a potential option alongside designs from Japan and South Korea.

To accelerate fleet expansion, Washington is considering a strategy of constructing the first two vessels in foreign shipyards before transitioning subsequent production to American facilities. The Istanbul-class frigates, which are advanced versions of ships developed under Turkey's MILGEM project, are noted for their low production costs and Turkey's significant shipyard capacity, including multiple production lines in private shipyards.

The Istanbul-class vessels are approximately 113 meters long with a displacement exceeding 3,000 tons. They feature high levels of domestic technology, including the MIDLAS vertical launch system, ATMACA anti-ship missiles, and GÖKDENİZ close-in weapon systems. Key sensors include AESA radars developed by ASELSAN, alongside various domestic electronic warfare and sonar solutions.