Following the recent deepening ties between Turkey and Somalia, the Turkish Navy warship TCG Kinaliada made a port call in Mogadishu on April 23. This visit is part of a larger voyage marking a century of bilateral relations between Turkey and Japan, with Somalia being one of the 20 nations included in the warship’s itinerary.
The arrival of TCG Kinaliada was met with a warm reception by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who hailed it as a symbol of the strong fraternal relationship between Turkey and Somalia, heralding a new era for Somalia’s maritime security. This event comes on the heels of a ten-year cooperation agreement signed by the two countries, which, although shrouded in some secrecy, is understood to involve Turkey’s commitment to train and equip Somali naval forces, thereby enhancing their operational capabilities.
Under the terms of the agreement, Turkey is entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding Somalia’s extensive coastline, spanning 3,333 kilometers, and its maritime borders. In return for these security services, Turkey is purported to receive a share of the revenues from Somalia’s exclusive economic zone, amounting to 30%.
President Mohamud has lauded Turkey as the sole nation willing to assist Somalia in protecting its territorial waters, harnessing its marine resources, and reviving the Somali navy. The bond between the two nations is further exemplified by Turkey’s establishment of a military base and training college in Mogadishu, which has seen over 10,000 soldiers graduate since its inception in 2007. Additionally, Turkish enterprises have been instrumental in managing Mogadishu’s airport and undertaking the reconstruction of the country’s largest port under a 14-year contract signed in 2020.
The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports that Turkey has contributed over $1 billion in aid to Somalia since 2011, supporting a wide array of projects across health, education, municipal services, and infrastructure development.
The TCG Kinaliada embarked from Izmir on April 8 and is set to make 24 port visits across 20 countries during its 134-day journey, covering 27,000 nautical miles to Japan and back. The countries on its route include Japan, Saudi Arabia, Djibouti, Somalia, the Maldives, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, China, South Korea, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, India, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, and Jordan.
The TCG Kinaliada, designated F-514, is the fourth Ada-class anti-submarine warfare corvette constructed for the Turkish Navy as part of the MILGEM project. The ship, built at the Tuzla Naval Shipyard in Istanbul, was laid down in October 2015, launched in July 2017, and commissioned in September 2019.
With a displacement of 2,440 tons and a length of 99.5 meters, the TCG Kinaliada is propelled by two diesel engines and a gas turbine, enabling speeds of up to 29 knots. It boasts a range of 3,500 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 15 knots and can sustain autonomous operations for ten days or 21 days with logistical support. The warship accommodates a crew of 93 and can house up to 106 personnel. It is equipped to carry a Sikorsky S-70 helicopter or unmanned aircraft on its aft deck.
The TCG Kinaliada’s arsenal includes a 76 millimeter OTO Melara gun, two ASELSAN STAMP 12.7 millimeter guns, eight Harpoon missiles, 21 Rolling Airframe Missiles, and two launchers for Mark 46 torpedoes, making it a formidable presence in the region’s maritime landscape.
TCG Kınalıada helicopter platform, with out support can stay at sea for 10 days. Equipped with the network-assisted data Integrated Combat Management System (ADVENT) produced by HAVELSAN, the Corvette, which is 99 meters tall and 14.4 meters wide, can store 20 tons of weapons and reach a maximum speed of 29+ nautical miles.
With a crew of 95, TCG Kınalıada can be used for above-water warfare, under-sea defense warfare, air defense warfare, reconnaissance surveillance, command and control, asymmetric defense warfare missions.