It has been known since the 2000s that there has been planning for a frigate known as the TF-100, but there has been much debate about the direction in which this planning has evolved and even whether it is still valid. The generally accepted match was that it was the platform to replace the Barbaros class, if im not wrong. However, the other issue that have not paid much attention to is that the Turkish navy is preparing to expand its sphere of influence. A design that prioritizes Africa and the Indian Ocean is taking shape. This means expansion pressure for the navy. In addition to doctrine and platform planning in the Littoral Areas/Mediterranean scale, the Turkish navy has also started to shape approaches and platforms that will go beyond the borders of the Mediterranean(area control and power projection). In short, there may not be a dramatic increase in the total number of ships in the main combatant classes, but the total displacement of these ships will increase, so all predecessor classes will be replaced by larger ships.
This has been repeatedly declared by the political will, and the Turkish Naval Forces Strategy has been put forward by both the defense press and various authorities as the goal of becoming a naval force with a medium-scale navy and global power projection capability.
And most importantly, the new Strategy Document of the Turkish Naval Forces, published in 2015, sets out the short-, medium- and long-term goals and vision of the force. In accordance with this vision document, capability gains and preliminary objectives for the acquisition of a blue navy identity until the period 2032-2035 and the objectives for the afterwards are detailed. You can find an evaluation of the document here (turkish):
https://www.savunmahaber.com/analiz-turk-deniz-kuvvetleri-stratejisi/
TDGG (Turkish Naval Task Force) and even on platform basis, projects Anadolu LHD, Derya(Marine Supply Combat Support Ship) etc are part of this strategy. As like heavy frigate/destroyer plannings with codes such as TF-2000 (and even TF-100) are an extension of this.
Thank you for your detailed explanation.
I was just kidding!
I understood that, you didn't meant carrier strike group and SSN fleet by 'Blue water task force'.
i already read that article before.
I agree with your evaluation of Turkish Naval strategy in coming decades
Here just my 2 cent of observation on the subject.
I think since 2015/2016 geopolitical and security architecture surrounding Turkish geography quite dramatically changed over the course of last 5/6 years.
What I understand, at that time nato was much more important to Turkish strategic planners both military and and political.
However, now the Ankara's political commitment to nato's importance in Turkish security strategy, is lesser compared to what was at that time for tow fundemental reason.
First and foremost, the continuous hostile geopolitical behaviors of many nato allies toward Turkey concerning variety of turkish national interest in surrounding region of middle east, north africa, Caucasus and europe.
The second and the most important one is, the main threat ( Russian federation ) by which, the nato's very existence has been justified is now quite dramatically fading away.
When it comes to the conventional threat, Russian hard power ( military ) and Russian soft power (economy ) is now hurt so badly by the war in Ukraine, I do not believe Russia will be able to conventionally threaten any medium powers in any meaningful way, at least for next 20 years.
In addition to that, it is also obvious, the more Turkish defence industry will grow, the more turkey will behave independently in its security matters.
We are also observing a new global shift in geopolitical alliance and geoeconomic matter worldwide.
And turkey is trying not to 'miss the train' as it also looking for new, long term strategic alliance and partnership in central and South east asia.
given the fact that, anything fruitful is unlikely to work out anytime soon in its immediate neighborhood of gulf and middle east.
That is of course not to say, NATO will become meaningless! Of course it won't.
It will still occupy a good amount attention in Turkish security planning for decades to come.
So, as far as i understand it, the emergent of a blue water TN task force will have direct hard power impact in the balance of power in the Mediterranean, middles east, north and west African region.
As if similar crisis like Libya breaks out along the african coast, Turkey will be able to respond much more decisively.
However, when it comes to the 'Indian Ocean' I don't think there will be such hard power impact with that particular posture, as it too far away from Turkish mainland.
And more importantly, except for the African coast line of the Indian ocean, other countries of south east Asia are too powerful to be truly intimidated by such task force.
For that, an actual carrier strike group and SSN fleet would be required.
So the way I see it, by 2030s Turkish Naval activities in the Indian ocean will be more like large joint exercise with allied naval forces to assure political and diplomatic commitment.
And maybe, also to build up a functional interoperability with allied navies ( like BD, Malaysia and Indonesia ) for any potential future deployment within a multi national task force in a crisis response.
