Video: Romania opts for Turkish patrol ship to strengthen fleet
Romania, March 30, 2025 – Sources in the Romanian administration and defense industry claim that Bucharest has chosen the Turkish Hisar-class patrol ship as part of the implementation of the fleet strengthening program. This is reported in the publication Defense Romania, which indicates that the country’s authorities are considering equipping the country’s navy with “a new light corvette, acquiring a significant asset that will have a significant impact on the existing fleet”.
Late last year, the Navy Command said that the priority is the purchase of 2 used patrol ships and 3 new frigates. It is currently unclear what the participation of the local shipyard (owned by the Dutch company Damen) in the project will be, which is actively building ships, including for NATO member countries (although their equipping with weapons and other equipment is carried out in other, foreign facilities).
The Hisar-class ships have a length of 99.56 m, a draft of 3.77 m and a displacement of 2,300 tons. They can reach a maximum speed of 24 knots and carry out long patrols at a speed of 12 knots. They are equipped with a 3D search radar, fire control radar, TACAN navigation system, onboard sonar and electronic warfare systems. The armament is a 76 mm cannon, two 12.7 mm machine guns and can be equipped with Atmaca anti-ship missiles. The French concern Naval Group, which won the tender for the construction of the multi-purpose corvette, previously planned to build the ships at the Constanta shipyard in Romania. However, the project was canceled due to disagreements between the company and the shipyard.
Erik Simon
