TF-4500 is a single-hull ship designed to carry out anti-aircraft warfare missions in high seas. The ship is equipped with a gas turbine and a diesel power plant. For the first time, the project was presented at the international defense exhibition IDEF 2017 in Istanbul, Turkish media reported.
The futuristic look of the frigate is not a designer’s whim, the streamlined lines of the ship should reduce its visibility to enemy radars. TF-4500 will be the first frigate in the world designed for air defense missions, but made with the use of stealth technology. The frigate’s maximum speed will be 32 knots (± 60 kilometers per hour), range – 7000 nautical miles at a speed of 18 knots.
Tasks for which the TF-4500 is intended:
– air defense missions;
– operation against ground targets;
– air and ground surveillance and maritime control, including helicopter operations;
– submarine military defense operations;
– defeat surface and air targets;
– monitoring the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
The developer stated that the TF-4500 frigate will be able to carry out operations in a sea state of 6 points.
The length of the ship is 150.36 m, the width is 16.50 m, the draft is 4.5 m, and the displacement is 4500 tons. The crew consists of 140 sailors.
The TF-4500 frigate is equipped with a 76mm cannon, two 25mm RWS gun mounts, two RAM 32-cell VLS launchers, 16 anti-ship missiles, decoys, torpedo launchers and sonar. The helicopter deck can accommodate a helicopter weighing up to 10 tons.