Romania to acquire turkish HISAR-class corvette TCG Akhisar for €223 million

The HISAR-class light corvette will be equipped with Norwegian-made NSM anti-ship missiles and Turkey’s HISAR-D air defence system. This marks the first international export of the Turkish-developed HISAR-D, making Romania the first NATO member to operate this system.

Additionally, the ship will feature the MKE-produced 76/62 mm naval gun, also being exported for the first time. “The estimated acquisition value of the vessel from Türkiye, in its current configuration, is approximately €223 million, excluding VAT. The delivery time is extremely short: almost 6 months, in the current configuration,” stated the Romanian Ministry of Defense.

Following its delivery, the vessel will be equipped with additional combat systems required by the Romanian Naval Forces at a Romanian shipyard. “The vessel will then be equipped with combat systems requested by the Naval Forces, in a Romanian shipyard,” the ministry confirmed.

TCG Akhisar, launched in 2023 and commissioned in December 2024, is the first maritime patrol vessel of the HISAR class. It is 99.5 metres in length, displaces 2,300 tonnes, and operates with a crew of 104 using a combined diesel-electric propulsion system.

The vessel is capable of reaching speeds up to 24 knots (45 km/h) and has a range of 8,300 kilometres, with an endurance of 21 days at sea. It includes modern navigation and communication systems, a hangar for a medium helicopter and an unmanned aerial vehicle, and features a variety of sensors and state-of-the-art weaponry.

“The light corvette-type vessel is equipped with modern navigation and communications systems and also has a very wide range of sensors and state-of-the-art weapons systems, which ensures the vessel has high combat potential in all combat environments,” the ministry added. Its onboard weaponry also includes the Aselsan GOKDENIZ 35 mm anti-aircraft gun.

Romania turned to Türkiye, a fellow NATO and Black Sea partner, due to the urgent need for a modern naval platform in the region. Turkish sources, however, have raised concerns over the sale, highlighting the Turkish Navy’s ongoing modernisation efforts and the national demand for newer HISAR-class platforms.

The HISAR-class design reflects Türkiye’s pursuit of cost-effective maritime platforms capable of operating in regional seas such as the Aegean. While traditional frigates and corvettes offer greater firepower, the HISAR-class vessels provide more operational efficiency for surveillance and patrol missions.

Source: hotnews.ro