Turkey introduces first self-produced warship
Turkish PM Erdogan inaugurates domestically produced 'Heybeliada'; says Turkey has 'taken its place among 10 countries that can design and construct warships'
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's aggressive rhetoric towards Israel seems to be gaining momentum and as tensions between Ankara and Jerusalem grow, the former introduced its first domestically produced warship.
According to the Turkish newspaper Today's Zaman, the "Heybeliada" was unveiled Tuesday in Istanbul's Naval Shipyard Command.
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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.
Erdogan introducing the Heybeliada (Photo: EPA)
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.
Today's Zaman also reported that Tuesday's ceremony also marked the first test-sail of the MILGEM project's second warship, "Buyukada."
The website noted that the warships' prototype cost close to $260 million to develop.
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