Romania to improve Black Sea defense by purchasing first Turkish Hisar-class patrol vessel TCG Akhisar.

As reported by HotNews Romania on July 17, 2025, Romania has officially confirmed plans to acquire the Turkish-built Hisar-class offshore patrol vessel TCG Akhisar (P-1220) from Türkiye as part of an emergency procurement effort intended to address existing gaps in the Romanian Navy’s operational capabilities in the Black Sea.
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Romania currently lacks a sufficiently modern surface combatant able to conduct sustained patrol, surveillance, and response operations in its Black Sea zone, forcing the country to prioritize the rapid acquisition of a vessel already built and ready for near-term operational deployment. (Picture source: Pro Shipyard DGS)

The vessel, which entered service with the Turkish Navy in December 2024 and is currently undergoing sea trials, will be purchased for €223 million excluding VAT, with an additional €42 million allocated for the integration of Romanian-requested combat systems, bringing the total cost of achieving operational capability to €265 million. The procurement is intended to secure Romania’s maritime economic interests, including the Neptune Deep gas extraction project, scheduled to become operational in 2027. The ship is expected to be delivered within six months in its current configuration, after which it will be equipped in a Romanian shipyard with Western armament and combat systems, including the NSM anti-ship missile.

The Hisar-class offshore patrol vessel (OPV) is a 2,300-ton platform based on the Milgem Ada-class corvette design and developed by Asfat under the supervision of the Turkish Ministry of National Defence. It measures 99.56 meters in length, has a beam of 14.42 meters, and a draft of 3.77 meters. Propulsion is provided by a Codelod system with four diesel engines and two electric motors, enabling a maximum speed of 24 knots and a cruise speed of 12 knots. The vessel has an operational range of 4,500 nautical miles and an endurance of 21 days. It is designed to carry a crew of 104 personnel and can operate a 10-ton naval helicopter or an unmanned aerial vehicle, with facilities including a hangar and helipad. The baseline configuration includes an MKE 76 mm naval gun, two Unirobotics Targan 12.7 mm remote-controlled weapon stations, and an Aselsan Gokdeniz 35 mm close-in weapon system.

The sensor and electronics suite includes the Aselsan MAR-D 3D search radar, two AKR-D fire control radars, the Denizgözü Ahtapot-S electro-optical system, the Meteksan Yakamos 2020 hull-mounted sonar, the Aselsan Piri-KATS infrared search and tracking system, the TÜBİTAK Yelkovan radar electronic support system, and the Havelsan Advent combat management system. The design follows a “fitted for but not with” approach, allowing future installation of vertical launch systems, anti-ship missiles, air defense systems, and ASW rocket launchers. The Turkish Navy plans call for ten ships in this class, with the TCG Akhisar and the TCG Koçhisar (P-1221) being the first two, launched in September 2023. Romania’s acquisition would represent the first confirmed export of this class to a NATO or EU member. Romanian sources indicate the ship may be outfitted with the Kongsberg NSM, which is already contracted for coastal batteries and missile ship upgrades, although compatibility with the Turkish CMS remains uncertain and could require significant integration work.

The Romanian Ministry of National Defence stated that the purchase was driven by the need to field a modern vessel in the shortest time possible. However, the choice to acquire only one ship has led to questions from defense analysts and political commentators. Critics have pointed out that the acquisition diverges from earlier plans to build multiple vessels domestically and that operating a single unit with unique systems could complicate logistics and interoperability with the rest of the Romanian fleet. Concerns have also been raised about the lack of offset agreements and the decision not to involve the domestic naval industry, which has previously produced military vessels for NATO countries, including large ships for the Netherlands and anti-submarine frigates for Belgium. Romania’s shipyard in Galați, operated by Damen, was considered a likely contractor for new offshore patrol vessels and had offered OPV 2600-type ships equipped with Western systems.

In parallel with the Turkish procurement, the Romanian government is preparing a restricted tender for two OPV 2600 ships to be built in Galați. These vessels, expected to cost between €400 million and €500 million, would be outfitted with Western radars, sonars, CMS systems such as Thales Tacticos or Lockheed Martin’s solution, and NSM anti-ship missiles. Delivery of the first ship is estimated to take approximately two years. These vessels are derived from the Sigma 10514 corvette platform but lack certain features such as keel-mounted sonar and stealth structures. Romanian officials have stated that the domestic construction requirement includes both production and complex maintenance capabilities. Industry sources have indicated that Damen’s offer remains active and that the yard has a consistent record of on-time delivery, having supplied 30 naval vessels to 13 states, including NATO members.

The procurement of the TCG Akhisar follows the cancellation of previous programs, including the €1.2 billion Gowind 2500 deal with Naval Group, which was expected to include local construction and modernization of existing frigates. That contract was annulled in August 2023 following legal and financial disputes. Subsequently, the Ministry of National Defence developed plans to focus on lighter vessels such as offshore patrol vessels. A proposal was made to purchase the last Pakistani-intended OPV constructed in Romania, but that option did not materialize. Romania’s Supreme Council of National Defence approved the acquisition of a new light corvette capable of performing multiple missions, including surveillance, patrol, and limited warfare. It remains unclear whether this marks a strategic shift or a temporary response to immediate operational needs. If successful, further procurement of Hisar-class ships may be considered.

The Romanian Navy currently operates a fleet composed of three Type 22 frigates, four Tetal-class corvettes, three Tarantul-class missile corvettes, and various mine warfare, auxiliary, and riverine vessels. Some units are scheduled for modernization, including integration of NSM missiles. The Navy’s future plans include acquiring three new frigates, three OPVs, and two Scorpène-class submarines. In addition, Romania participates in the European Patrol Corvette program. The current acquisition of the TCG Akhisar appears to represent a parallel track intended to deliver an immediate platform for Black Sea patrol duties. Political and industrial debates surrounding this procurement remain active, as the Parliament must still approve the transaction. Turkish officials have confirmed negotiations with Romania but also emphasized that internal procedures must be completed before the contract is finalized. The ship is currently undergoing Sea Acceptance Trials, and if delivered, Romania would be the first NATO state to operate both the Turkish Hisar-D air defense missile and the MKE 76 mm naval gun.

The broader context of this procurement includes the potential impact on the Romanian defense industrial base. The Damen Galați shipyard has ongoing programs with multiple European partners and has designed or built logistics support ships, frigates, and minehunters for allied navies. Romanian industry observers have expressed concern that procuring only one foreign-built vessel, with systems not fully compatible with Romania’s current and future platforms, may weaken long-term capability development and industrial continuity. While Asfat markets the Hisar-class as modular and adaptable, the practical integration of Western combat systems, especially the NSM missile, could involve technical and financial hurdles. The timeline for full integration and operational readiness remains to be clarified. Some sources have suggested that Romania may consider acquiring a second vessel if the first proves successful, but as of now, no follow-on order has been announced.