STM activates first Turkish-made HVLAS system to support automated helicopter approach and deck lighting aboard foreign corvette.

On April 21, 2025, STM announced that Türkiye has commissioned its first domestically developed Helicopter Visual Landing Aid System (HVLAS), which was installed aboard a corvette constructed under an export programme. The system was developed jointly by STM Savunma Teknolojileri Mühendislik ve Ticaret A.Ş. and Berkin Defence Engineering Inc., and has completed all acceptance tests. This marks the first time an HVLAS developed with domestic resources has entered operational use, as well as its first export application.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

The Helicopter Visual Landing Aid System (HVLAS) is designed to support helicopter landings on naval ships in both day and night operations, including in low-visibility environments. (Picture source: STM)

The HVLAS system consists of visual guidance equipment and flight deck lighting, coordinated through a software component that automatically configures operational parameters. The HVLAS aims to reduce the workload on pilots during approach and landing phases. Its configuration allows for use aboard a variety of naval surface platforms equipped with helicopter decks, such as corvettes, frigates, tankers, and logistic support vessels. The system was previously procured from foreign suppliers before it was locally developed through STM’s indigenisation efforts, which concluded in 2023. The design, production, and qualification tests were completed in Türkiye using only national resources.

Berkin Defence Engineering was responsible for the detailed engineering, production, and testing of the HVLAS, while STM oversaw the system’s integration aboard the platform. The project is part of STM’s broader strategy to replace previously imported systems with domestically produced alternatives. The system has now been delivered and commissioned, following successful qualification and operational acceptance testing. HVLAS is described as suitable for integration on all helicopter-capable Turkish naval vessels, including those designed under the MiLGEM project, and is now planned for deployment on both national and export-oriented platforms.

In an official statement, STM General Manager Özgür Güleryüz noted that the HVLAS had previously been sourced from abroad due to the absence of a domestic solution. He stated that the new system was developed in collaboration with Berkin Defence Engineering, and that the integration of HVLAS on STM-built platforms contributes to increasing the local content of Turkish naval vessels. Güleryüz also stated that the HVLAS is intended to facilitate helicopter operations and that the system will be installed on two export corvettes, as well as the Turkish Navy’s MiLGEM İstif-Class frigates numbered 6 through 8. He said the project prevents foreign currency outflows and supports exports by offering a system that can be integrated into a variety of naval platforms.

It is likely that the corvette equipped with Türkiye’s first indigenously developed HVLAS was built for Ukraine. While STM did not officially disclose the name of the receiving country in its announcement, it confirmed that the system was installed on a corvette constructed under an export programme. According to TurDef, the only export corvette publicly known to be near operational status and built under STM’s leadership is the “Hetman Ivan Mazepa,” constructed by RMK Marine Shipyard in Istanbul for the Ukrainian Navy. Additionally, the HVLAS was confirmed to have been installed on a corvette built under an export project, and the timeline aligns with the progress of the Ukrainian ship. Therefore, based on available information, the Ukrainian Navy’s Hetman Ivan Mazepa could be the most probable platform on which the system was installed.

In addition, the HVLAS system will be installed aboard the sixth to twelfth units of the MiLGEM İstif-Class frigates for the Turkish Navy. (Picture source: STM)

Following the system’s first operational deployment aboard the unnamed corvette, a second corvette under the same programme is scheduled to receive the HVLAS, which also aligns with the fact that the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense ordered two Ada-class corvettes, the Hetman Ivan Mazepa and the Hetman Ivan Vyhovskyi. STM has also confirmed that three additional platforms being built under the Royal Malaysian Navy’s Littoral Mission Ship Batch-2 (LMSB2) project will be equipped with HVLAS. In addition, the system will be installed aboard the sixth to twelfth units of the MiLGEM İstif-Class frigates for the Turkish Navy. This brings the total number of ships planned to receive HVLAS to twelve, spanning the Malaysian and Turkish navies, as well as possibly the Ukrainian one.

The Littoral Mission Ship Batch-2 project was awarded to STM under a government-to-government agreement between Türkiye and Malaysia. The programme consists of three corvettes based on the Ada-class design, constructed at Istanbul Shipyard. The steel-cutting ceremony for the first ship was held on December 4, 2024, and the keel-laying ceremony followed on April 8, 2025. The ships are planned for delivery between 2026 and 2027. Project progress was reviewed at a Project Monitoring Committee meeting on April 7, 2025, attended by Malaysia’s Secretary-General of the Ministry of Defense and representatives of STM. Construction status for all three ships was presented during the meeting.

The LMSB2 ships are designed with a displacement of 2,500 tonnes, a length of 99.56 meters, and a crew capacity of 111. Propelled by a CODAG system (combined diesel and gas), they are expected to reach speeds of over 26 knots and have an endurance of 14 days. Their armament includes a 76 mm naval gun, a 30 mm gun, 8 Atmaca anti-ship missiles, 16 vertical-launched K-SAAM surface-to-air missiles, and decoy launchers. The ships are equipped with systems supplied by ASELSAN, HAVELSAN, and ROKETSAN, and include radar, electronic warfare systems, and underwater communications. Aviation facilities allow them to operate medium helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles. The ships are designed for anti-surface warfare (ASuW), anti-air warfare (AAW), and electronic warfare (EW), and are fitted with a helicopter deck and hangar. HVLAS is intended to support their aviation operations in these roles.

In Türkiye, HVLAS will be installed on six MiLGEM İstif-Class frigates beyond the currently commissioned lead ship, TCG Istanbul (F-515). These multirole frigates are based on an extended Ada-class hull and are designed for enhanced endurance and firepower. They feature MIDLAS vertical launch systems for air defense missiles, 16 Atmaca anti-ship missiles, torpedo launchers, and electronic warfare systems. Propulsion is provided by one LM2500 gas turbine and two diesel engines. The ships are built by various Turkish shipyards and are part of Türkiye’s plan to commission eight İstif-class units. Each vessel includes aviation facilities for an S-70B Seahawk helicopter and unmanned aerial vehicles.

The follow-on ships—TCG İzmit (F-517), TCG İçel (F-518), TCG Akdeniz (F-519), TCG Karadeniz (F-520), TCG Ege (F-521), and TCG Marmara (F-522)—are currently under construction or planned. The İstif-class is a continuation of the MILGEM programme and incorporates higher displacement and more advanced systems compared to the Ada-class. The HVLAS will be integrated on ships F-517 to F-522 as part of this planned deployment. These platforms are expected to perform multirole missions, including anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine operations, and will include full aviation capabilities enhanced by the HVLAS system for helicopter guidance and safety. The Turkish Navy plans to commission these ships progressively, with production taking place at Anadolu, Sedef, and Sefine shipyards.