IDEF 2015: GE Marine Signs contract with STM for Turkish Navy MILGEM class Corvettes Gas Turbine

: Posted On Wednesday, 06 May 2015 10:53

Naval Defense Industry News - Turkey

IDEF 2015: GE Marine Signs contract with STM for Turkish Navy MILGEM class Corvettes Gas Turbine

GE Marine announced during IDEF 2015 (the International Defence Industry Fair currently held in Istanbul, Turkey) it has signed a contract with local shipyard STM for the delivery of LM2500 gas turbines. The engines will power the Turkish Navy’s third and fourth MILGEM multi-purpose corvettes.

Turkish Navy MILGEM class corvette TCG Heybeliada (F-511) (picture taken during IDEF 2013)

STM is the program manager for these new two ships, and will provide platform systems, construction materials, design services and the main propulsion systems, as well as integration of the propulsion system. In addition to the services provided to the Turkish Navy, STM has export responsibility of the MILGEM corvettes with the endorsement of the country’s Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (Savunma Sanayii Müstesarligi or SSM). In accordance with export targets, STM is expected to have further collaboration opportunities with GE Marine.

The propulsion system for the two new MILGEM ships will be the same as sisters TCG Heybeliada (F-511) and TCG Büyükada (F-512), consisting of a LM2500 gas turbine in a combined diesel and gas turbine configuration with two diesel engines. Total propulsion power is 31,000 kilowatts, allowing the ships to reach maximum speed in excess of 29 knots. The corvettes have an overall length of 99 meters with a displacement of 2,300 tons.

The initial two MILGEM corvettes entered naval service in September 2011 and September 2013, respectively. Additionally 24 LM2500s operate aboard the Turkish Navy’s Barbaros- and Gabya-class frigates. Worldwide, the LM2500 gas turbine is used by 32 international navies and in countless industrial applications.