Held biennially in Istanbul, the International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) has grown into one of the world's leading defence exhibitions—and a strategic stage for Turkey to showcase its expanding military-industrial capabilities. As the 2025 edition is now complete, I have the time to launch a multi-part series that takes a closer look at the things... Continue Reading →
This is the third and final part of my series examining Türkiye’s emerging ambition to build and operate nuclear-powered submarines. In Part 1, I explored why Türkiye wants this capability. Part 2 analyzed what it would take to achieve it. Now, I look at what it would cost—not just in monetary terms, but also politically... Continue Reading →
This is the second part of my series on Türkiye’s newly declared ambition to acquire nuclear-powered submarines. In Part 1, I discussed why Türkiye believes it needs this capability. In this instalment, I explore what it would take—from nuclear technology and shipbuilding infrastructure to international cooperation and human capital. Following the Turkish Navy’s newly stated... Continue Reading →
I recently conducted an interview with the Commander of the Turkish Naval Forces, Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu. The two-part interview is being published in Warship International Fleet Review Magazine. To read it in full, you'll need to access the magazine. One of the most significant revelations from the interview, in my view, is how the future... Continue Reading →
Seventy-two years ago today, the Turkish Navy suffered its greatest peacetime loss when the submarine TCG Dumlupınar (formerly USS Blower) sank at Nara Point in the Çanakkale Strait. TCG Dumlupınar and her sister boat, TCG 1. İnönü, were returning from a NATO exercise when, at 02:15, the Swedish-flagged merchant ship M/V Naboland collided with TCG... Continue Reading →
The Turkish Naval EOD teams destroyed another floating mine in the Black Sea today. According to a news release from the Turkish Ministry of National Defence, a mine believed to be from the Russia-Ukraine War was detected off the coast of Kefken in the Black Sea and subsequently neutralized. The type of mine was not... Continue Reading →
Today, Aselsan shared new information regarding the tests conducted with Gökberk mobile laser weapon system. Both Aselsan and Roketsan have significantly advanced laser weapon systems, enhancing defense capabilities against modern threats such as drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). These systems, when fielded, will demonstrate the nation's commitment to integrating advanced technologies into its national... Continue Reading →
The French Fremm-class frigate Aquitaine arrived in Antalya this morning for a port visit. I am not a fan of the French Navy’s newly adopted policy of erasing the ships' pennant numbers. While information about the ships’ deployments is available on the internet and through other media, this removal of pennant numbers only makes life... Continue Reading →
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was established in Washington, D.C., in 1949 by 12 founding members. Türkiye became a member of NATO on February 18, 1952. With Finland and Sweden joining NATO in 2023 and 2024, respectively, after abandoning their neutrality policies due to security concerns arising from the Russia-Ukraine war, the alliance now... Continue Reading →
On 10 January 2025, Joseph H. Dempsey published a detailed analysis on the IISS Military Balance Blog, shedding light on North Korea’s latest naval development. Dempsey’s report highlights the construction of the country’s largest-ever warship, providing key insights into its design, potential capabilities, and strategic implications. This development aligns with the IISS's earlier assessment, confirming... Continue Reading →
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