ASFAT, the state-owned defense company under the Turkish Ministry of National Defense, has signed an agreement for the delivery of the light corvette “Akhisar” to the Romanian Naval Forces. The transaction marks the first time a combat ship built in Turkey is exported to a NATO and EU member state and represents Romania’s first new major surface vessel for its navy in decades, strengthening regional maritime security at a crucial moment for the Black Sea.

Completed last year at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard, “Akhisar” belongs to the light corvette class and highlights both the technological maturity of Turkey’s naval industry and the deepening military cooperation between the two countries. Designed for high NATO interoperability, the vessel features systems compatible with multinational operations, a decisive factor for Romania’s procurement process.

The delivery underscores ASFAT’s expanding industrial capabilities and growing international relevance. The company, which entered the “Defence News Top 100” only five years after its establishment, climbed to rank 78 in 2025, consolidating its position as one of Turkey’s leading defense exporters.

“Akhisar” measures 99.56 meters in length, 14.42 meters in beam, and has a displacement of around 2,300 tons. Its CODELOD propulsion configuration, combining four diesel engines with two electric motors, enables a top speed of 24 knots and a range of approximately 4,500 nautical miles, allowing missions of up to 21 days. The vessel includes a flight deck for a 10-ton helicopter, a UAV, two rigid-inflatable boats, and advanced radar, sonar and electronic systems. Armament consists of a 76 mm naval gun and two 12.7 mm machine guns integrated into the ADVENT combat management system.

With a crew of 104, the corvette can conduct intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, search and rescue, counterterrorism, coastal and offshore patrol, and special maritime operations, as well as secondary missions such as air-defense support, electronic and acoustic warfare, coastal fire support and amphibious operation support. Its communications suite ensures full NATO interoperability.

For Romania, the acquisition strengthens naval readiness and modernizes its fleet, while for Turkey, it marks a historic first export of a domestically built combat ship to a NATO and EU partner.