The Turkish Defense Ministry announced that it has begun construction of its first domestic submarine (MİLDEN), reports "Reuters", quoted by News.bg.
The ministry added that Ankara has also completed its first sale of a corvette to a NATO ally, signing an agreement with Romania.
Turkey, a NATO member, is increasing production in its defense industry and reducing its dependence on foreign suppliers. Last week, it was reported that contractors had begun construction of the indigenous TF-2000 naval air defense destroyer, which will be part of the planned multi-layered “Steel Dome“ air defense system.
At its weekly briefing, the ministry said that the ASFAT company operating under its jurisdiction had signed an agreement with the Romanian Ministry of Defense for the export of one light corvette “Akhisar“ - the first such sale to a NATO ally by Turkey.
“Following the construction of the first block of the TF-2000 destroyer at our Istanbul Shipbuilding Command, the construction of the first test block of our national submarine (MİLDEN) has started at the Golcuk Shipbuilding Command,“ the ministry added.