Fast attack craft contract may see $800 million tag

Defense procurement authorities are preparing to issue a Request for Proposal (RfP) for the acquisition of indigenous fast attack craft that will cost around $800 million, according to sources, who say some of Turkey’s leading shipyards are expected to take part in bidding Turkey’s ambitious program for the acquisition of up to 10 indigenous fast attack craft (fast assault boats) may cost Ankara up to $800 million, officials and industry experts say.

The contract covers a batch of four boats with an option to buy six more. A defense procurement official said the program, although it will come with a heavy price tag, is essential for naval deterrence and potential future naval ambitions Turkey may have. “These new generation boats will feature advanced technology and be part of a broader naval architecture,” he said.

Two shipyard executives estimated the cost of each boat at $70 million and $80 million, respectively.  

Local giants

The Turkish Navy currently operates 25 assault boats of five different classes. The procurement official said the work to finalize the RfP for the program was almost ready. “It won’t take us much time to issue it,” he said. 

The Navy prefers the new boats to be compact vessels equipped with a substantial systems suite, comprising a 76 mm main gun, two smaller-caliber naval guns, a Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) launcher, anti-ship missiles, torpedo decoy systems, a 3D surveillance radar and an electronic support measures/electronic countermeasures (ESM/ECM) system.

Industry sources say potential local shipyards vying for the contract include RMK Marine, Dearsan, Yonca-Onuk and Ares.  

Dearsan has worked on...