Turkey's DIMDEG fleet replenishment vessel to operate jointly with USVs

The Turkish Navy's new replenishment and logistic ship (DİMDEG), Derya (A 1590), is planned to jointly operate with unmanned surface vessels (USVs).

Speaking at the Turkish Defence Logistics and Support Summit (DLSS) in Ankara on 7 December, Mustafa Civelek, Sefine Shipyard's strategic and unmanned systems general manager, said that Derya, which is currently under construction, will be able to perform different tasks remotely with USVs. This will enable the efficient use of time and resources, he said. In addition, armed USVs will provide the ship with a self-protection capability against a range of threats, he said.

Civelek also highlighted a number of design changes that have been made to the vessel under the DİMDEG programme: the number of turrets has been increased from two to four to enable the vessel to accommodate 326 personnel, and the ship will now also have the ability to carry a 16-tonne helicopter.

The new-generation combat support ship is being built under a contract awarded to Sefine Shipyard in July 2018. Under current planning it is due for delivery in 2024, however, Civelek said this date may be brought forward to September 2023.

The ship will be used primarily for the replenishment at sea of fuel, water, food, spare parts, medical supplies, and ammunition for Turkish navy surface platforms. It will also function as a command-and-control ship within the scope of non-combatant operations – supporting both national and international task forces – such as humanitarian aid and disaster relief, and search-and-rescue operations.

Once in service the 194 m ship will be the second largest surface ship in the Turkish Navy.