The third aircraft in the MELTEM-3 Project carried out by the SSB was handed over to the Naval Forces Command with a ceremony.
The statement made by the Ministry of National Defense included the following:
“The 3rd aircraft of the MELTEM-3 Project was taken into the inventory of our Naval Forces on May 04, 2021, following the ground and flight tests carried out in Caselle / Italy and Topel Naval Air Main Base Command / Kocaeli.”
On May 4, 2021, while the C-72, the Maritime Patrol Aircraft, entered the inventory within the scope of the MELTEM-3 Project; In December 2020, the first P-72 Maritime Patrol Aircraft entered the inventory and the Project carried out by the SSB, the second P-72 Maritime Patrol Aircraft was delivered to the Naval Forces Command in March 2021.
Our 6 P-235 Maritime Patrol Aircrafts, which were procured within the scope of the MELTEM Project and entered into the inventory of our Naval Forces Command, today successfully serve as the strategic element of the Turkish Armed Forces in Turkey’s continental shelf and waters of national interests, especially in the Eastern Mediterranean and Aegean.
At this stage of the MELTEM Project, it is aimed to supply 6 ATR72-600 aircraft to be used in naval surveillance and maritime patrol duties and to integrate the mission equipment supplied for the MELTEM Project to the aircraft.
The third P-72 Maritime Patrol Aircraft, which entered the inventory of our Naval Forces with the ceremony held, will be an important force multiplier for the control and protection of the Blue Motherland, which has more than 8300 km of coastline. With the completion of the deliveries within the context of the MELTEM Project, the number of our maritime patrol aircraft will increase to 12.
P-72 Maritime Patrol Aircrafts
Critical systems such as advanced Radar System, Electronic Support Measures, Acoustic Processing Systems, Tactical Data Link 11 and 16, MK46 and MK54 Torpedo tender and firing capability were integrated on the P-72 Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
Thanks to these systems, aircraft will undertake important tasks such as Submarine Defensive Warfare, Surface Defensive Warfare, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Over the Horizon Targeting, Search and Rescue.
In addition to new features such as Link 16 system, MK54 torpedo tender and torpedoer, which are not available on P-235 aircraft, P-72 aircraft will have the ability to operate for longer periods of time.
Following the delivery of our first Maritime Patrol Aircraft, it was planned to deliver 2 additional Maritime Patrol Aircrafts and 1 (C-72) Maritime General Purpose Aircraft to the Naval Forces Command in 2021.
The role of domestic and national industry in the project
Keen participation of Turkish Industry was ensured within the scope of the project. Detail part production, aircraft modification, material supply, ground and flight test support and Integrated Logistics Support activities were carried out by TAI.
Equipment supply was provided by ASELSAN. Our aircraft have Link 11 and Link 16 systems developed by MILSOFT. Our Naval Patrol Ground Station has been updated by HAVELSAN to support P-72 aircraft.
Presidency of the Republic of Turkey Presidency of Defense Industries has made many systems ready for service with the aim of improving the possibilities and capabilities of our Naval Forces. Many air, marine, submarine and logistics projects that will add strength to the combat and logistics field of our Naval Forces Command go on.
In 2021, it is planned to provide the Naval Forces Command with the necessary support in the operation and maintenance of the supplied systems by starting the 3-year logistic support service of the mission systems of our Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
