First P-3 Naval Patrol Aircraft Entered Service in MELTEM-72 Project

With the project carried out by the SSB, the first P-72 Naval Patrol Aircraft entering the service of our Navy will be an important force multiplier for the control and protection of the Blue Homeland.

The first P-3 Naval Patrol Aircraft in the MELTEM-72 Project carried out by the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey, was delivered to the Naval Forces Command with a ceremony.

MELTEM be procured under the Project Our Navy 6 entering the inventory P-235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft we serve successfully as a strategic element of the Turkish Armed Forces in waters where Turkey's continental shelf and national interests, including the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean today.

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 within the framework of the MELTEM Project.

The first P-72 Naval 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 Homeland, which has more than 8300 km of coastline.

With the completion of deliveries within the scope of our MELTEM Project, the number of our maritime patrol aircraft will increase to 12.

P-72 Naval Patrol Aircraft

Critical systems such as advanced Radar System, Electronic Support Measures, Acoustic Processing Systems, Tactical Data Link 72 and 11, MK16 and MK46 Torpedo transport and launch capability were integrated on the P-54 Naval Patrol Aircraft.

Thanks to these systems, aircraft will undertake important tasks such as Submarine Defense War, Above-Water Defense Warfare, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Over the Horizon Targeting, Search and Rescue.

In addition to the new features such as Link 235 system, MK16 torpedo carrying and throwing, which are not available on P-54 aircraft, P-72 aircraft will have the ability to operate for longer periods of time.

Following the delivery of our first Marine Patrol Aircraft, it is planned to deliver an additional 2021 Naval Patrol Aircrafts and 2 Naval General Purpose Aircraft to the Naval Forces Command in 1.

The role of domestic and national industry in the project

Within the scope of the project, intense participation of Turkish Industry was provided. 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 MİLSOFT. Our Naval Patrol Ground Station has been updated by HAVELSAN to support P-72 aircraft.

Presidential Defense Industry Presidency has made many systems ready for service with the aim of improving the capabilities and capabilities of our Naval Forces. Many air, sea, submarine and logistics projects that will add strength to the combat and logistics field of our Naval Forces Command continue.

In 2021, it is planned to provide the Naval Forces Command with the necessary support in the operation and maintenance of the procured systems by starting the 3-year logistic support service of the mission systems of our Naval Patrol Aircraft.

Vice President of the Presidency Defense Industry Serdar Demirel, Naval Forces Command Naval Aviation Commander Tuga. Alper Yeniel, Senior Vice President Nadia Steiner on behalf of prime contractor LEONARDO; TUSAŞ General Manager Temel Kotil, HAVELSAN General Manager Mehmet Akif Nacar, ASELSAN Deputy General Manager Bayram Gençcan, MİLSOFT General Manager İsmail Başyiğit and THALES Aircraft Director Levent Taşkın attended on behalf of the subcontractors.