ASFAT, Türkiye’s state-owned defence shipbuilder, has finalized the country’s first international export of a domestically built combat vessel to a NATO and EU member state, delivering the light corvette Akhisar to the Romanian Naval Forces.
ASFAT, the fully state-owned defence company operating under Türkiye’s Ministry of National Defence (MoND), has signed an agreement to deliver the light corvette Akhisar to the Romanian Naval Forces. The deal marks a landmark achievement for Türkiye’s defence industry as the first export of a Turkish-built combat ship to a member of both NATO and the European Union, while representing Romania’s first acquisition of a new major surface combatant in several decades.
Completed in 2024 at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard Command, Akhisar is part of Türkiye’s class of light corvettes designed to strengthen maritime security and support Romania’s naval modernization programme. The agreement underscores the technological maturity and high production standards of Türkiye’s naval defence sector and further consolidates defence cooperation between Türkiye and Romania.
The delivery of Akhisar highlights ASFAT’s growing industrial capacity and the increasing competitiveness of its products on the global defence market. The vessel will enhance Romania’s presence in the Black Sea and support its NATO commitments through systems fully interoperable with Alliance standards and suited for multinational missions. Developed using expertise accumulated across Türkiye’s military shipyards, the corvette offers operational flexibility and a high degree of NATO interoperability — key elements in Romania’s procurement decision.
Akhisar Corvette to Enter Service with the Romanian Naval Forces
The light corvette measures 99.56 metres in length with a maximum beam of 14.42 metres, displacing approximately 2,300 tons. Its CODELOD propulsion system integrates four diesel engines and two electric motors powered by four diesel generators, enabling a maximum speed of 24 knots, a cruising speed of 12 knots and a range of about 4,500 nautical miles. The ship can remain at sea for up to 21 days without returning to port. A flight deck supports operations for a 10-ton helicopter and an unmanned aerial vehicle, and the corvette carries two rigid-hull inflatable boats measuring 7.5 and 5.5 metres.
The sensor and electronic suite includes a search and target-designation radar, low-probability-of-intercept navigation radar, sonar, electronic support measures, electro-optical systems and chaff dispensers. Armament consists of a 76-mm main gun and two 12.7-mm machine guns, integrated through the ADVENT combat management system and a gun fire control system. With a crew of 104, the corvette is equipped for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, search and rescue, counter-terrorism operations, coastal and offshore patrols and maritime special operations. Secondary mission capabilities include anti-air warfare, electronic and acoustic warfare, naval gunfire support, asymmetric warfare, maritime traffic monitoring, amphibious support and training. A communications suite featuring a local area network, integrated communications, satellite systems and an underwater telephone ensures full interoperability with allied forces.
