Fast Intervention Craft Contract was signed with YONCA-ONUK JV
As a consequence of the needs of the Turkish Navy, a contract was signed between the Undersecretariat for Defence Industries and Yonca-Onuk JV in March 02, 2007, for provision of two improved Fast Intervention Craft that assist in early warning, reconnaissance, observation and intelligence within the framework of Littoral and coastal water’s defence.
These boats are planned to be in service in 15.5 months.
Naval Forces Commander Yener Karahanoglu, Undersecretary for Defence Industries Murad Bayar, Yonca-Onuk JV Chairman Sakir YILMAZTÜRK, Yonca-Onuk JV Vice Chairman Ekber ONUK, SSM Naval Vehicles Division head Serdar Demirel and other military and civilian authorities participated in the signing ceremony. After SSM Naval Vehicles Division head Serdar Demirel‘s presentation on maritime projects pursued by the SSM , Yonca-Onuk Chairman Sakir YILMAZTÜRK gave a speech and said: “We are proud that, by the support of SSM, since 1997 We have already built and delivered 30 ea. ONUK-MRTP 15/16 series and 16 ea. ONUK-MRTP 29/33 series boats and 6ea.ONUK-MRTP 33 series boats are contracted to be build. Our main aim is to develop our projects together with the technology and to present our crafts both in Turkey and international platforms.”
At the signing ceremony Undersecretary for Defence Industries Murad Bayar said: “Our maritime industry as developed by our Navy has technological infrastructure. In recent years our Navy has opened this infrastructure up to the private sector. In fact these projects are the first steps in that direction. There are significant improvements in the field of ship construction and Yonca-Onuk is one of the more important firms. At the defence industry executive committee meeting that is going to be held at the end of this month, another patrol boat project will be initiated. Five private shipyards bid on the project and new projects are on the way. Apart from boat construction, there are submarine technology studies underway. After test runs we realized the improvements in the MILGEM (Patrol & Anti-Submarine Warfare Ship Project) in SONAR technology and the results are very hopeful. In 5-10 years we will reach a level that meets almost all the needs of the Naval Forces, except for some platforms”. Naval Forces Commander Yener Karahanoglu said:
"The Turkish Armed Forces and Turkish Naval Forces are determined to maintain and possess weapons and related items that are produced by national facilities. We remain focused on developing the national defence industry and to have a naval force that is reliable in aspects of power and maintenance. We are continuing on with Milgem, the most important project of the Republican-era navy, which was started in the framework of the main idea as planned.
There are about 29 maritime project deals expected to be signed soon. As the Naval Forces, we are ready to share our technological knowledge and experience as well as take responsibility of design and construction in the Milgem project, with the aim of having these maritime projects carried out by national industries."
