The first Turkish-Made warship to be launched tomorrow

The first Turkish-made warship Heybeliada will be put to sea tomorrow with an official ceremony at Istanbul Naval Shipyard Command. Heybealiada will be launched by Navy Commander Admiral Metin Aytac. The ship was built as part of MILGEM (Milli Gemi) project, Turkish corvette program. It aims to build modern littoral combat warships with indigenous capability and highest technologies. Heybeliada is scheduled to be operational by 2010, when it will start undergoing full sea trials before being officially commissioned. As part of the project, a total of twelve warships (eight corvettes and four frigates) will be built for the Turkish Navy. Some of the warships are also planned to be exported.