Earlier today, ASELSAN announced through a press release that it has successfully completed the upgrade of the first MEKO 200TN frigate of the Turkish Navy, a process being closely monitored by Argentina, which is currently evaluating the modernization of its own MEKO 360 vessels. According to the information provided, the frigate in question is the TCG ORUÇREİS, which received a comprehensive package of 21 newly developed, locally manufactured systems to enhance its combat capabilities.
Commenting on this achievement, ASELSAN’s current CEO, Ahmet Akyol, stated: “We are proud to have completed the world’s most comprehensive modernization of MEKO-class frigates, renewing 21 systems on the TCG ORUÇREİS with our advanced naval solutions. Based on this extensive experience, ASELSAN is capable of meeting the needs of all navies, and its innovative and effective naval systems have received global recognition. We will continue to provide the most advanced systems to our Navy and the navies of allied countries.”
Further details shared by ASELSAN highlighted that the various upgrades were designed jointly with the Turkish Navy to meet its specific requirements, focusing on enhanced capabilities in the following areas: radar systems (AKREP and CENK 3D), electronic warfare (ARES NEWS, AREAS, KARTACA-N), satellite communications (GEMS, TUMSIS-X, and IdentIFF), navigation systems (MİTOS WECDIS, KULAÇ, and ANS), and anti-submarine warfare (FERSAH and HIZIR). In addition, new electro-optical sensors (LIAS, PIRI, and MARTI), weapon systems (SMASH and GÖKDENİZ), and fire control systems (ATMACA and TAKS) were integrated—making this an exceptionally comprehensive electronics overhaul.
Moreover, the work carried out on the Turkish MEKO 200TN frigate included not only the installation of the newly listed systems, but also structural modifications to the ship to accommodate the upgrades. These included changes to the main mast, the power generation system, and ventilation, among others.
A closer look at Argentina’s MEKO 360s
Returning to the potential implications for the Argentine Navy, this type of project represents one of ASELSAN’s key opportunities for cooperation, especially after the recent opening of its regional office in Santiago, Chile. In the words of the company’s CEO during an interview with Zona Militar at LAAD 2025: “(…) In the Navy, in Turkey, we were able to modernize the systems of the MEKO class. As we are an electronics company, we are the prime contractor in this project. We can completely change the vehicle’s electronics, such as radars, optics—even in the Americas (…) What we have in hand is NATO-standard. So, we can say that the level of technology and solution is of international standard.”
While there is clear potential for cooperation, there are also significant obstacles that must be overcome for a similar project to succeed in Argentina. Chief among these are the political will to allocate sufficient funding, the need for the Navy to first restore its submarine capabilities, and finding a solution to replace the ships’ propulsion systems, which are currently powered by Rolls Royce turbines.
It is worth noting that in past interviews with Zona Militar, the Chief of the Argentine Navy’s General Staff, Carlos María Allievi, emphasized that one of the main focuses of his tenure is to provide the Submarine Force Command with new capabilities—an endeavor that will undoubtedly require significant investment. On the topic of propulsion for the MEKO 360s, it’s important to remember that beyond the well-known British veto, Rolls Royce no longer manufactures the turbines used in these ships. As a result, a major effort is already underway at the Comandante Espora Naval Air Arsenal to keep them operational.
At the time, Rear Admiral Allievi outlined one of the main future projects as follows: “We plan to remove the Tyne cruising turbines from two MEKO 360s and replace them with two diesel engines and new reduction gearboxes. (NdE: for the third ship) we’ll keep the Tyne turbines, and with the four we remove, plus one in reserve, we’ll have a total of five Tyne turbines. Based on recent operational data, I estimate that these 5 or 6 Tyne turbines will be enough to keep that one ship running until it’s decommissioned. The high-power turbines, the Olympus, will remain, since they still have many service hours left.”
*Cover image: ASELSAN
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