Turkish Navy’s TCG Kınalıada Corvette Visits Doha

English , International - بین الاقوامی , Snippets , / Tuesday, July 23rd, 2024

Doha, Qatar – July 23-25, 2024

The Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Doha proudly announces the arrival of the TCG Kınalıada Corvette at Doha Port, underscoring the robust diplomatic and military relations between Türkiye and Qatar. The TCG Kınalıada will be docked in Doha from July 23 to 25.

Commemorating Historical Ties

The TCG Kınalıada’s voyage honors the significant historical events of the Ertuğrul Frigate’s sinking in 1890 and the centennial of Turkish-Japanese diplomatic relations. Departing from İzmir in April, this mission highlights these important anniversaries and Türkiye’s longstanding alliances.

Mission Goals

As the fourth vessel of Türkiye’s MİLGEM project, the TCG Kınalıada aims to enhance the visibility of the Turkish Naval Forces, showcase national capabilities, and strengthen bilateral relations during its 45-month journey. The corvette’s itinerary includes visits to 24 ports in 20 countries, including Japan, Saudi Arabia, Djibouti, Somalia, the Maldives, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, China, South Korea, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, India, Oman, Qatar, the UAE, Pakistan, and Jordan.

Strategic Importance of Türkiye

Türkiye’s strategic location at the crossroads of major trade routes underscores its pivotal role in regional and international stability. Despite neighboring conflicts, Türkiye remains a beacon of peace. With a focus on self-sufficiency, Türkiye’s domestic production in the defense industry has surged from below 20% in 2000 to 85% in 2023.

The MİLGEM Program

The MİLGEM project (‘Milli Gemi’ or ‘National Ship’) epitomizes Türkiye’s commitment to building locally designed and equipped naval platforms. The TCG Kınalıada Corvette, boasting the highest local content rate among MİLGEM Ada Class Corvettes, showcases Türkiye’s advanced ship design and construction engineering capabilities. Key contributors to the project include STM Defense Technologies Engineering, Aselsan, Havelsan, and Roketsan, with the ATMACA anti-ship missile system integrated into the TCG Kınalıada.

Strengthening Türkiye-Qatar Defense Cooperation

The arrival of TCG Kınalıada in Doha symbolizes the deep and enduring ties between Türkiye and Qatar. This visit transcends a mere military engagement, highlighting the solidarity and cooperation that unite the two nations in their pursuit of peace, security, and mutual prosperity.

Enhancing Maritime Security

Joint naval exercises and operations between Türkiye and Qatar are essential for safeguarding maritime security. These activities protect vital waterways, contribute to regional stability, and enhance Qatar’s capabilities in protecting regional waters, patrolling, combating maritime piracy, asymmetric warfare, search and rescue missions, and disaster relief operations.

Recent Collaborations and Achievements

Türkiye and Qatar have made significant strides in defense cooperation, including:

• The contribution of TCG Burgazada to Qatar’s safety during the World Cup 2022.
• Contracts for Turkish companies to build high-speed coast guard boats and fast patrol boats for Qatar.
• The delivery of high-speed assault boats to Qatar, demonstrating Türkiye’s commitment to meeting project deadlines.

Commitment to Maritime Security

The TCG Kınalıada’s visit underscores the importance of maritime security in safeguarding the nations’ economies, commerce, and security. Türkiye remains dedicated to supporting Qatar in enhancing its defense capabilities and ensuring regional stability.