Operators Turkish Navy Subclasses Salih Reis class | Preceded by Yavuz class In commission 1997 - present | |
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Builders Blohm + VossGölcük Naval Shipyard | ||
The Barbaros-class frigates are among the most modern frigates in the Turkish Navy. They were designed in Germany and are part of the MEKO group of modular warships, in this case the MEKO 200 design. Two ships were built in Germany and two in Turkey with German assistance. They are larger than the previous Yavuz-class frigates and are also faster due to using CODOG machinery rather than pure diesels.
The first two vessels (F-244 and F-245) are defined as the Barbaros class (MEKO 200 TN Track II-A) while the last two vessels (F-246 and F-247) are defined as the Salih Reis class (MEKO 200 TN Track II-B) by the Turkish Navy. The two vessels of the Salih Reis class were fitted with the Mk.41 VLS, while the Sea Sparrow launchers on the older Barbaros-class vessels are currently being replaced with Mk.41 VLS, which is capable of launching Evolved Sea Sparrow (ESSM) missiles.