Romania will buy a Hisar Turkish corvette, the contract to be signed in November. The value exceeds 200 million euros. It is the first modern ship to enter the Romanian navy after many years and has the role of strengthening the Security at the Black Sea. The truth discussed the capabilities of the ship with two military experts.
The light corvette in Turkey for the Romanian navy fleet. Photo: Turdef
Romania will sign in November the contract for the purchase of the Turkish corvette TCG Akhisar, from the Hisar OPV class, Ionuț Moșteanu recently confirmed. It is the first modern ship to equip the Romanian navy after more than two decades, in a regional context increasing in the Black Sea.
The transaction, estimated at over 200 million euros, is carried out directly between the governments of Romania and Turkey. According to the specialized publication Turdef, the total value of the package to reach the operational capacity reaches about 265 million euros, excluding VAT, to which is added the cost of the launch of the NSM antinava missiles.
The Hisar class corvette is almost 100 meters long, a displacement of 2,300 tons and autonomy of over 20 days. Codelod propulsion system offers increased efficiency for long patrol missions. It will be equipped with Mar-D radar (CENK 200-N), a 76 mm naval cannon produced by the Turkish company MKE and two telecommedate armament stations of 12.7 mm.
Colonel (r) Ion Petrescu: “A pragmatic solution for an urgent need”
Military Analyst Colonel (r) Ion Petrescu considers the purchase “A pragmatic solution to an obvious emergency”Given the “The need to complete the adequate endowment of the Romanian naval forces, according to the current and foreseeable challenges in the Black Sea”.
According to the expert, the corveta will be equipped with Kongsberg NSM antinava missiles and Hisar-D air defense systems, which marks the first export of the Turkish manufacturing air defense system. Also, the 76/62 mm naval cannon produced by MKE represents a first export. The shipment of the ship is expected within six months from the signing of the agreement, subject to the approval of the Parliament.
“Norway, Japan, Australia and US air forces use the same type of NSM missiles, very good for disuos”said Petrescu.
The price and strategic significance
In terms of costs, the analyst states that “The Romanian naval forces deserve modern urgent features, a situation in which the prices of purchases matter, but also their ability to make the difference between the military vessels of the Riveran states on the Black Sea.”.
Colonel Petrescu emphasizes that the acquisition is not only a punctual gesture, but part of a multiannual planning at the General Staff. “There is no money thrown into the wind, but lucid financing of the national defensive device. The military navy was the most widowed equipment, as the real military dangers in the Black Sea area.”he explains.
From a strategic point of view, the Corveta TCG Akhisar will strengthen Romania’s naval power and contribute to regional cooperation within NATO. “The Romanian naval forces, together with those of Bulgaria and especially with those of Turkey, ensures normal maritime navigation in the southern half of the Black Sea”said Colonel Petrescu.
General (r) Virgil Bălăceanu: “It is a patrol vessel, not a corvette in an operational sense”
The reserve general Virgil Bălăceanu concerns the acquisition with prudence and technical precision. “We must be correct: Hisar is a patrol vessel, not a corvette in the military sense. It has no anti -submarine capabilities, does not have a stratified anti -aircraft defense and cannot accommodate a helicopter. It is useful for peacekeeping, but not for battle operations in the Black Sea.”
However, the officer explains why such a ship is still important. “It is essential for the control of the exclusive economic area, especially around the gas exploits in the Neptun Deep perimeter. The constant naval presence means discouragement of hybrid actions, especially from the Russian Federation.”
Regarding the costs, Bălăceanu confirms the estimated level, but warns that the real amount will increase. “The integration of NSM missiles, the necessary sensors and adaptations will push the total to 260-270 million euros. It is a price comparable to the patrol vessels built for Pakistan, but we had to think about domestic production. Damen Galați and the Mangalia shipyard have experience and could have built similar ships through a technology transfer.”
He also details the differences from a fighter ship. “A true corvette has anti -submarine capabilities, can launch greater distances, has a multi -level anti -aircraft helicopter.
Bălăceanu warns that Romania needs a larger plan. “We cannot achieve naval discouragement only with patrol vessels and demination. The Black Sea remains an area with high risks, where the Russian federation operates submarines and missile systems. We must develop multifunctional corvettes and modernize the frigates. Măgura. ”
The general also mentions an industrial and psychological dimension. “The construction of ships in Romania would have meant jobs, taxes and confidence in a naval industry to be reinvigorated. It would have been a positive signal for society: that we can produce performance military vessels again.”
Regarding the perspectives, he appreciates the decision of Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan to pass the major endowment programs at the Prime Minister’s Chancellery. “It is a move that can accelerate the investments. The chancellery manages the contracts through advantageous loans, within the European Safe program. This program, together with initiatives such as Rearm, can be an essential source of financing for the European multifunctional corvette, which offers Romania the chance to become a producer, not just the buyer.”
He also makes an x -ray of the current fleet. “The frigates Regina Maria and King Ferdinand, bought from the United Kingdom, do not have modern anti -aircraft or antinava systems. Fighting with the cannon and torpedoes. The only ship capable of a real naval operation remains Mărășești, built in Mangalia in the early 1990s.
Finally, General Bălăceanu points out that the decision to collaborate with Turkey also has a strategic value. “Turkey is a regional naval power and it can be the key to forming a permanent NATO naval group in the Black Sea, along with Romania and Bulgaria. Hisar brings a political advantage, but for real defense we need corvettes and frets, built or modernized in the country.”
The two officers coincide at an essential point, namely that Hisar is a necessary, but not enough step. Romania wins a modern ship and strategic cooperation with Turkey, but true naval modernization involves constant investments, local constructions and complete fighting capabilities. Hisar offers presence and visibility, but the future of the Romanian fleet depends on the following corvettes and frigates.
