15-130-dzkk-strateji-en-tr_Layout 1

MSI
ANALYSIS
Turkish Naval Forces Strategy:
On Course to Become
a Navy with Medium
Global Scale Power
Projection Capability
Issued in October 2015, Turkish Naval Forces Strategy was prepared with great care
and published just in time during a critical period when military threats in both Syria
and the Eastern Mediterranean started to pose a great danger. Ensuring that this
comprehensive document reaches a large audience is vital not only for Turkey’s
national interests, but also for raising awareness on its national naval strategy.
By issuing such a document, the Turkish Navy has undersigned a very important
study with regard to creating a clearer understanding of our national naval strategy,
in line with its traditional spirit of planning, prognosis, and innovation.
M. Kubilay TOK* / [email protected]
*MSc Electronic Engineer,
Business Development Director, YALTEM Inc.
Tayfun DUMAN** / [email protected]
**Business Development Advisor, YALTEM Inc.
n brief, Turkish Naval Forces has defined the essence of its strategy
with the maxim, ‘Dependable in cooperation, deterrent in crises,
decisive in combat! Strong at Sea, Safe at Home: Present at Sea
Influential in The World ’. This motto, even on its own, could be considered a point of reference for Turkey’s national naval strategy.
As stated by Admiral Bülent Bostanoğlu, Commander of the Turk-
I
A BURAK-class corvette cruises through waves.
98 - April 2016
ish Naval Forces, it is understood that, “Turkish Naval Forces Strategy” is prepared in a way to overcome these challenges, ensure
doctrinal unity of the Turkish Navy personnel and provide information on future perspective of our forces for various circles ranging
from the decision makers setting the direction of Turkey in the international arena and conducting defence planning activities to the
relevant academic circles”
The Turkish Naval Forces Strategy has been developed and studied
under the following main topics : Importance of the Seas, Security,
Foreign Policy Objectives, Maritime Objectives, Naval Forces, and
Strategy.
Importance of the Seas
The Turkish Naval Forces Strategy, undoubtedly, has been based
on the military, geopolitical and commercial importance afforded
to Turkey by its surrounding seas. With respect to this robust perspective,
n Shipping still remains the most preferred method of
transportation in the world.
n A country’s commercial competitiveness is proportional to its
exploitation of the international maritime shipping system.
‘Long-standing issues in the Aegean Sea remain
unsolved and restriction of maritime jurisdiction
areas in the Eastern Mediterranean has emerged a
significant regional dispute.’
n
‘Commercial competitiveness of the countries is
proportional to their exploitation of international
maritime transportation system.’
n
TNFC utilizes its helicopters effectively.
Globally, sea trading routes are also a means of power
transfer and the sea control of critical passages on these
outes is an integral part of geopolitical competition.
Nowadays, the high seas are among the most important
elements of strategic competition.
Eighty percent of global trade volume (tonnes), 70 percent
of global trade value (in dollars) [1], 60 percent of oil and
25 percent of natural gas transportation [2] is done through
maritime routes. [3]
© TNFC
n
Although Turkey’s prospective maritime jurisdiction areas are
equal to more than half of the country’s land area, the boun
aries of these maritime areas have so far been regulated by
international treaty “only” for the Black Sea.
n
Security
In the Turkish Naval Forces Strategy, security is summarised as
follows:
n Long-standing issues in the Aegean Sea remain unresolved.
Turkey’s sensitive stance towards these issues was declared
to the whole world with a decree from the Grand National
Assembly of Turkey. [4]
n As a consequence of the ‘Arab Spring’ process,
the Middle East has been facing a more fragile geopolitical
transformation.
n An increasingly aggressive attitude by the Russian Federation
(RF) has led to a questioning of the current security architecture
in the region.
While globalisation decreases the effect of territorial borders
between countries, developments in technology have created
a contrary impact on the high seas, which have been open to
and navigated by almost every country for centuries.
With respect to the limitation of jurisdiction areas regarding
continental shelves, the struggle among countries for the
exploitation of seabed resources has been escalating each
year and the Navy’s role for the protection of these areas
has also been increasing accordingly.
‘The security architecture established by the
initiatives of NATO and the EU following the Cold War
is being re-evaluated.’
n
© TNFC
n
n
n
n
Initiated nationally by Turkish Naval Forces in 2004, Operation
Black Sea Harmony continues uninterrupted, encouraging the
participation of all other Black Sea coastal states. [5] Following
the tensions that occurred between Turkey and RF on
November 24, 2015, however, the future of the operation
currently is of critical concern.
Some so-called licenced areas, established by the
Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus in 2007
in the south of the Island of Cyprus, partially overlap Turkish
maritime jurisdiction areas in the Eastern Mediterranean.
As a result of the attitudes shown by the Greek Cypriot
Administration of Southern Cyprus, a dispute that involves
a large number of coastal states in the region has emerged. [6]
Since 2006, Turkish Naval Forces have been conducting
Operation Mediterranean Shield in the Eastern Mediterranean.
In 2011, NATO published the new maritime strategy [7] of the
Alliance and in accordance with this new strategy; the Alliance
subsequently has started to review its activities in all maritime
areas.
On a global scale, the Asia-Pacific region has been tran
formed into the world’s geo-economic and geo-strategic
centre and a significant portion of the US Navy is deployed
in this region. [8]
April 2016 - 99
MSI
ANALYSIS
Foreign Policy Objectives
The Turkish Naval Forces Strategy emphasises that Turkey’s foreign policy vision is based on stability, cooperation and continental-scale initiatives. On the other hand, with its capability to reach
all areas of the region from the surrounding seas to the far oceans
where Turkey has interests and activities, the Turkish Navy is an
indispensable foreign policy tool.
‘Turkish Navy is as a vital foreign policy tool with
the capability to reach all geographies where
Turkey has interests and activities.’
One of the most substantial examples of the Turkish Navy’s role to
support continental-scale foreign policy initiatives is the deployment activities of the Barbaros Turkish Maritime Task Group. [9]
Maritime Objectives
MİLGEM is among
the projects that shapes
future of TNFC.
Globally, more than 60 percent of crude oil and petroleum products
are being transported through the sea. [10] The permanent security
of sea lines of communications for the transportation of energy and
its products is of great importance. The critical shipping lanes, in
terms of volume of transported crude oil and petroleum products,
are respectively, the Strait of Hormuz, the Strait of Malacca, the
Suez Canal, the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, the Danish Straits, the Turkish Straits and the Panama Canal. [11]
As maritime shipping accounts for approximately 87 percent of
Turkey’s foreign trade, investment on the development of seafaring
capabilities and activities is crucial.
Naval Forces
‘Developments and objectives in the maritime sector
will increase the interaction between the two prominent
components of the sea power, the navy and the
merchant marine fleet, of Turkey which has a growing
economy and is opening to alternative markets.’
A Navy is one of the main constituents of a country’s combined maritime power. Naval forces have distinctive features, such as mobility,
flexibility, long-term operation, self-sufficiency and ability to use the
high seas freely. With these characteristics, naval forces can influence any region where there are national interests, sustaining a continuous presence in those regions and maintaining diplomatic and
military power.
© TNFC
‘With each component acting as a floating embassy, and navigating
freely on the high seas, Naval Forces conduct diplomatic missions
at four corners of the world, simultaneously .’
In case of conflict, the Navy contributes to joint military operations
with activities, such as the provision of early warning, reconnaissance,
surveillance and intelligence; protection of sea lines of communication and keeping them open; establishment of sea control in areas
of operation; destruction of critical land-based targets; support to/of
regional air defence; conduct of power projection and execution of
amphibious operations when required. With this contribution, Naval
Forces deployed in accordance with the requirements of peace, crisis
and conflict situations undertake various tasks, such as:
n To eliminate threats to the homeland from the farthest distance,
n To support the development of bilateral or multilateral
cooperation initiatives,
n To contribute to the development and maintenance of relations
and regional / global stability,
n To shape the behaviours of other actors by playing an active
role during crisis management,
n To protect maritime rights and interests.
The way a country utilises its naval forces also reveals the nature
of its foreign policy. The task spectrum of Naval Forces includes
the following duties:
n Sea control and power projection,
n Strike operations,
n Sea denial and protection of maritime transportation,
n Maritime security operations and control of maritime
jurisdiction areas,
n Presence and show of flag, peace keeping operations,
n Non-combatant evacuation operations,
n Humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and Search and
Rescue operations.
Strategy
For centuries, notions, ‘the one who rules the seas rules the world’
[12] and ‘whoever controls the sea routes dominates the world’ [13]
have constantly served guiding principles for naval strategists.
As mentioned in the Turkish Naval Forces Strategy, “The Turkish
Naval Forces Strategy is prepared in the light of National Military
Strategy that includes the maritime domain, and which is driven
from the National Security Policy.”
Defence and security state, foreign policy and maritime objectives
constitute the basic inputs of Turkish Naval Forces Strategy. These
efforts, together with the interest and mission areas of the Turkish
Naval Forces, determine the forces’ objectives. In attaining these
objectives, the means of how to use naval forces, means of improvement of force structure as well as means of cooperation and
collaboration with other stakeholders, all constitute the Naval
Forces Strategy. The Naval Forces Strategy has a dynamic structure, due to the variable nature of these basic inputs.
MSI
ANALYSIS
Objectives of the Turkish Naval Forces
In the strategy document, the defining objectives are as follows:
n To deter threats against the homeland in the maritime domain,
and when needed, to win the war decisively through joint
efforts with other elements of the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF),
n To protect the sovereignty rights and maritime interests of
Turkey, and contribute to the protection of sea lines of
communications,
n To support the defence of the Turkish Republic of Northern
Cyprus (TRNC) and the protection of its vital rights and
interests at sea,
n To contribute to global stability and the creation of a stable
security zone within the close vicinity of Turkey,
n To support Turkish foreign policy and defence industry
objectives,
n To support the Alliance Maritime Strategy,
n To maintain and develop an active naval force in order to carry
out all tasks assigned in the envisioned security environment.
Furthermore, in order to deter threats against the homeland in the
maritime domain, and when needed, to win a decisive war through
joint efforts with other elements of the TAF, the following activities
are to be conducted:
n Use of the high seas for peaceful purposes : use of force,
if required,
n Sustain and maintain situational awareness more
comprehensively using the Distant Horizon System,
n Implement rules of engagement in coordination with the
relevant authorities by taking into consideration the balance
between accomplishing assigned tasks and keeping tension
under control, while ensuring self-defence,
n During a crisis; deployment of Naval Forces of desired
magnitude in the crisis area in the shortest possible time,
achievement of situational superiority in the crisis area and
getting the Force underway with all its elements. In the case
of a conflict, by taking the nature of the threat into
consideration, the use of force on enemy to create an
impact at the foreseen level by reacting jointly or the use
of force for the purpose of sea control, only.
Based on the protection of the sovereignty rights and maritime interests of the Republic of Turkey, however, objectives include maintenance of a high readiness level for all times to react immediately
to situations faced in case of a violation of rights arising from international treaties and international laws and disputes over the delimitation of maritime jurisdiction areas; and the prevention of
illegal search/drilling operations in our maritime jurisdiction areas.
In terms of ensuring the security of our neighbouring seas and sea
lines of communications, where the Turkish maritime trade is concentrated, the following activities are to be conducted:
n Coordination and collaboration with the relevant players
operating in maritime areas will be ensured,
n Operation Black Sea Harmony will be continued,
n Operation Mediterranean Shield will be continued,
n In order to ensure maritime security in risky maritime areas,
a presence will be ensured, with a national asset or in
coordination with NATO and/or multinational maritime task
groups, to protect sea lines of communications.
In terms of contributing to the creation of a stable security zone in
the close vicinity of Turkey and to global peace and stability, the following activities are to be conducted:
n BLACKSEAFOR (Black Sea Naval Cooperation Task Group)
will be continued,
n Activities in the Aegean Sea will be continued within the
framework of our rights arising from international treaties,
the Lausanne balance, the principle of freedom of the
high seas, the rights on the high seas, as recognised by
international law, good neighbourliness and alliance relations,
as well as the principle of reciprocity,
n Participation in and support for multinational activities
conducted under international organisations, such as the
UN and NATO, will be encouraged.
In terms of supporting Turkish foreign policy and defence industry
objectives, it is envisaged that the following activities will be conducted:
n Within the scope of the defence industry, priority will be given
to the development of bilateral military relations with the
naval forces of those countries with which we are already
cooperating,
n In order to enhance bilateral cooperation and interoperability,
the number and capacity of international training activities
will be increased,
n Priority will be given to activities related to maritime security
in Africa,
n Developments in the Indian Ocean, the Continent of Africa,
the Persian Gulf and the Asia-Pacific Region will be closely
monitored and logistic bases and port capacities will be
increased in these areas.
In terms of supporting the Alliance Maritime Strategy, the objectives
are as follows:
Amphibious units provides deterrence.
© TNFC
102 - April 2016
MSI
ANALYSIS
Marines are among the means to fight piracy.
© TNFC
n
n
n
Participation in all NATO Task Groups activities in our
surrounding waters,
Continuing cooperation with the relevant NATO headquarters
regarding the information exchange within the scope of the
Operation Mediterranean Shield and the Operation Black Sea
Harmony,
Taking “joint training/exercises” into account in the planning
phase of trainings, exercises and activities of the Barbaros
Turkish Maritime Task Group with the Allied naval forces,
NATO Standing Naval Forces and NATO Response Force
elements.
Classification of Naval Forces
Classification of naval forces at a global scale is based on various
criteria, including size, in terms of the number of platforms,
geographical access (radius of operation), functions and capabilities,
the use of advanced technology, and the perception of other countries
(see: Geoffrey Till, Seapower: A Guide for the Twenty-First Ce
ntury). According to a generally accepted classification (Eric Grove
& Michael Morris), nine categories are envisaged for naval forces:
(1) Major Global Force Projection Navy – Complete: Navy with
major global force projection capability.
(2) Major Global Force Projection Navy – Partial: Navy with major
global force projection capability- Partial.
(3) Medium Global Force Projection Navy: Navy with medium
global force projection capability.
(4) Medium Regional Force Projection Navy: Navy with medium
regional force projection capability.
(5) Adjacent Force Projection Navies: Navy capable of force
projection in adjacent areas.
(6) Offshore Territorial Defence Navies: Navy that is capable
of offshore defence.
(7) Inshore Territorial Defence Navies: Navy that is capable
of defence in its own territorial waters.
(8) Constabulary Navies: Navy that has a constabulary role.
(9) Token Navies: Symbolic navy.
Development of Force Structure
According to anticipated changes in technology, security environment, foreign policy and maritime objectives, the effective fulfilment
of activities specified in its concept of operations by the Turkish
Naval Forces depends on the development and continuous adaptation of its force structure. Based on the objective of maintenance
and development of an effective naval force able to perform all assigned tasks in the foreseen security environment, this requirement
is highlighted.
Force Structure in the Future
In order to define the concept of future force structure, the basic
naval forces strategy should be made known at this stage. Of
course, the naval forces strategy may be subject to various remarks
and arguments. However, according to the authors of this article,
the new strategy of the navy should be perceived as: ‘The transformation of the Turkish Naval Forces, which is currently classified as
a ‘Medium Scale Regional Power Projection Capability’ with its current capabilities, into a navy with ‘Medium Scale Global Power Projection Capability.’. This strategic vision of the Force, which implies
transformation from ‘regional to global’, indicates a crucial structural transformation that will be detailed in the following sections.
lines of communications, where Turkey’s shipping is concentrated,
supporting Turkish foreign policy and defence industry objectives,
supporting the Alliance Maritime Strategy, contributing to global
peace and stability have led to the expansion of the Turkish Naval
Forces’ radius of operation and this will increase the platform need
with the ability to perform operations beyond our maritime domain
to project power and to serve as flagships for Alliance/coalition
forces.’
Within the framework of additional capability requirements emerging in line with the strategy of becoming a ‘Naval Force with Medium
Scale Global Power Projection Capability’, the following actions are
to be taken:
104 - April 2016
Short-term (0-5 years): Procurement of ADA Class Corvettes,
indigenous assault boats, logistic ships, amphibious ships
(LST), general purpose helicopters, maritime patrol aircraft,
unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and unmanned/autonomous
underwater vehicles,
n Medium-term (6-10 years): Development and indigenous
production of ‘İ’ class frigates, air defence frigates, Landing
Platform Dock (LPD/LHD), combat support ship, new
generation mine hunting ships and submarines equipped
with air independent propulsion systems,
n Long-term (11-20 years): It is foreseen that the current
structure of the Turkish Naval Forces will be modernised
through an increase in the number of platforms for sea
control, force protection and power projection.
It is clearly understood that, in addition to these newly gained capabilities, situational awareness capability at sea is to be further
advanced through the Distant Horizon Project, while Network Enabled Command and Control capability is to be expanded using the
Ship Integrated Combat Management System (GENESİS) and Force
Network Communication Systems Project, in order to provide adn
ditional input to the structure of the force. The additional capabilities
that will be gained by the Navy within the scope of this strategic
transformation can be summarised as follows :
n The expansion of Distant Horizon Project to cover all Turkish
waters, to provide a more comprehensive and real-time
operational and tactical situational awareness and the
maintenance of the system as a force multiplier in compliance
with the naval forces strategy,
n Increase the force protection capability of task groups
operating in high seas and receive unrestricted regional
air defence support after air defence frigates, one of the
essential elements of ‘medium scale power projection’
strategy, are included in the inventories,
n Active participation in national and multinational operations
at longer ranges from Turkey after landing platform/
helicopter dock ships enter the inventories, ability to project
power/conduct amphibious operations by transferring the
other elements of TAF to distant areas of operation in line
with ‘medium scale power projection’ concept, and the
ability to support command and control centre duties
at sea,
n Activating land and ship based unmanned aerial vehicles in
order to increase the capabilities of over- the- horizon
reconnaissance and surveillance, use of weapons, and
damage assessment,
n Maximising the level of anti-surface (including land) guided
missile capability and underwater and surface warfare
capability by the air independent propulsion submarines,
© TNFC
An anti-piracy exercise.
Increasing operational capability in high seas with combat
support ships,
n Gaining experience and lessons learned from the use of
landing platform/helicopter docks, which will be the largest
platforms ever to be obtained by the Turkish Navy, in order to
provide the basis for operating an aircraft carrier that will be
built in the future.
Moreover, it is emphasised that critical technologies should be
utilised at the utmost level in order to develop capabilities to withstand against all kinds of conventional and asymmetric risks and
threats. In this context, directed energy, guided laser weapon systems technologies, multi-purpose phase array radars, propulsion
systems using new types of fuel, nanotechnology, micro-satellites,
cyber warfare, autonomous and smart systems, artificial intelligence, network aided combat management systems and communications networks to support these, quantum information
technologies and quantum based cryptology technologies are considered critical technologies.
n
MSI
ANALYSIS
TCG SALİHREİS (F-246) fires her 127 mm gun located at the forward deck.
© TNFC
As is known, with the introduction of the GENESİS project in the field
of combat management systems in 1998 and National Ship
(MİLGEM) project in the field of battleship construction in 2004 by
Turkish Naval Forces Command, it has now become possible for the
first time to conduct all phases of building a battleship indigenously,
including analysis, design, development, integration and validation.
It is obvious that the Turkish Naval Research Centre Command
(ARMERKOM) together with the Design Project Office (DPO), which
directs the technology, will make great contributions to the aim of
transforming naval force into a navy with ‘medium scale power projection’ capability. In fact, the Turkish Naval Forces have moved into
a new age with these two institutions and made strategic contributions to the national defence industry. By indigenously designing its
own combat management systems, Turkish Naval Forces has
achieved a remarkably high level of self-sufficiency. The strategy
document also clearly affirms that this capability will be maintained.
Human Resources
The strategy document emphasises that human resource, as a
force multiplier, is the key element that constitutes the real
strength of Turkish Naval Forces beyond all its capabilities. It is certain that the effective implementation of the intended ‘medium
scale power projection’ strategy will be dependent on nurturing
personnel with the capacity and qualifications required to efficiently
perform all their duties.
‘Manpower is the vital factor acting as a force
multiplier beyond all capabilities, constituting the
real strength of Turkish Naval Forces.’
Trainings and Exercises
In the strategy document, it is stated that with regard to training
and exercise activities, opportunities to cooperate with naval forces
of partners and allied nations, as well as NATO bodies in the broadening theatre of operations, will be maximised and that within this
106 - April 2016
scope, some national exercises will be integrated with NATO exercises.
It is aimed that exercise, training and cooperation activities will be
carried out not only in the surrounding seas but also in the maritime
areas extending from the Baltic Sea to the Indian Ocean and to the
western coasts of Africa, and the Multinational Maritime Security
Centre of Excellence (MARSEC COE) will be empowered to play a
critical role accordingly.
In the same context, it is also planned to establish a test range in
Turkey, in order to conduct operational training activities more efficiently and authentically and to enable the current weapons and
systems at hand and also those in the development phase to be exhaustively tested, aiming to close a very significant gap that has
been moulded by years.
Relations and Cooperation
with International Actors
The Naval Forces Strategy also comprehensively covers the topic
of relations and cooperation with international actors.
In the context of relations with NATO and in accordance with
NATO’s indispensable role in Turkey’s defence and security policy,
the significance of the following activities, in addition to supporting
the Alliance Maritime Strategy, is highlighted:
n Supporting the Alliance’s relations with partners and maritime
capacity building endeavours,
n MARSEC COE’s maximum level of participation into
cooperation activities,
n The establishment of High Readiness Force -Maritime
(HRF-M) NATO,
n Supporting the activities within the framework of the NATO
Defence Planning Process and proceeding with national
defence planning activities by taking into consideration
the requirements determined in this NATO process and
n Continuing to share information in the field of armament and
to develop smart defence in order to ensure interoperability
with the NATO members.
Conclusion
TNFC actively
participates in
NATO missions.
© TNFC
The strategy document includes some very important findings that
can be summarised as follows:
n The great leader and the founder of the Republic of Turkey,
Atatürk’s statement, “It is imperative to have a powerful
navy for the defence of Turkey”, forms the basis of the Turkish
Naval Forces Strategy.
n The protection of the high seas in the Aegean continues
to be vital for Turkey. Furthermore, conflicts in the Eastern
Mediterranean have been increasing and have now reached
a level that could have serious ramifications.
n The Turkish Naval Forces has made clear its objective to
become ‘a Navy with Medium Scale Global Power Projection
Capability.’ The aim of the Turkish Naval Forces at promoting
to the category of a navy with medium scale global power
projection capability among the world’s navies is a
new starting point.
n From this perspective, the Turkish Naval Forces continues its
endeavours, primarily to strengthen the deterrent force
against the potential risks and threats to the country’s
territorial waters. At the same time, the navy maintains its
efforts to increase its capabilities to protect Turkey’s maritime
rights and interests at all seas across the world and to
contribute to regional/global peace and stability.
n ‘To possess an effective naval force based on indigenous
power and to employ this force around the world in order to
protect Turkey’s rights and interests’ is now a vision. As a
consequence of long-term endeavours in the design and
construction of warships, as well as in the procurement of
critical systems, considerable progress has been achieved
on the path towards the reduction of dependence on foreign
assets and systems. It is now possible to highlight that the
country has reached an historical threshold.
n In order to realise this challenging strategy, Turkish Naval
Forces has started a comprehensive structural transformation.
n In order to become a ‘Navy with Medium Scale Global Power
Projection Capability’, the following issues are the critical
targets that must be achieved:
l The adaptation of the fleet, as well as the operational,
technical, training and logistic structure of the force
to support high sea operations,
l Adding the power projection platforms, which are currently
being constructed or whose construction processes are
underway, to the inventories immediately,
l Including the air defence platforms for unconditional air
defence support on the high seas and submarines equipped
with air independent power propulsion for protecting
the task force from underwater threats in the inventory,
Having a power projection task force equipped with network
enabled warfare capability and ensuring uninterrupted
communication and correspondence throughout the world.
n The sound implementation of this challenging process
primarily depends on establishing unity in terms of
understanding, beliefs and objectives, among the decision
makers and enforcement bodies. As the level of awareness
on the contribution of the Turkish Naval Forces to the defence,
security, foreign policy and maritime objectives of Turkey
increases, more support will be available from the relevant
institutions and decision-makers.
Moreover, new measures may be taken against the increasing aggression of the RF, and the Turkish Naval Forces Strategy could be
adapted accordingly over the upcoming period. In this context, the
following issues are to be taken into consideration:
l Measures for the effective protection of the Straits,
l Providing our combat platforms at sea with surface and
air picture in a targeting accuracy of a gun via Distant Horizon
and other common systems of the TAF in the Black Sea,
l The indigenous development and integration of Anti- Ship Cruise
Missile (ASCM) Systems with a minimum range of 300 km
to cover the entire Black Sea for surface attacks.
l
‘As the level of awareness made by the contribution
of the Turkish Naval Forces to the defence, security,
foreign policy and maritime objectives of Turkey
increases, more support will be received from
the relevant institutions and decision-makers.’
‘The Turkish Naval Forces Strategy’ will serve its
purpose if it can promote this awareness.’
“Being on the most beautiful geographical location and surrounded
by seas on three sides, Turkey possesses the ability to develop
an advanced maritime capability, including industry, trade, and
sports aspects. We need to know how to benefit from this capability
and try to achieve it in a short period of time, with the belief that
seafaring is the highest ideal for Turks.”
Mustafa Kemal ATATÜRK [14]
Footnotes
Primary Resources: Turkish Naval Forces Strategy, May 2015
http://www.dzkk.tsk.tr/data/icerik/392/DZKK_STRATEJI.pdf
1 UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development),
Review of Maritime Transport 2014,
© NATO
http://unctad.org/en/pages/PressRelease.aspx?OriginalVersionID=230.
2 Dünyada ve Türkiye’de Ekonomik Gelişmeler ve Deniz Ticaretine
Yansımaları, [The Economic Developments in the World and Turkey
and their Reflections on Maritime Trade], Republic of Turkey Ministry
of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications, Directorate
General of Merchant Marine, 2012.
3 As of 2013, 74 percent of export volume and 55 percent of export
alue and 93 percent of import volume and 55 percent of import
value of Turkey was conducted through maritime routes. Republic
April 2016 - 107
MSI
ANALYSIS
A GABYA-class frigate cruises
among allied ships.
M. Kubilay Tok
M. Kubilay Tok graduated from the
Electronic Engineering Department of the
Turkish Naval Academy in 1980. After
serving aboard various ships of the Turkish Naval Forces (TNF),
he completed his postgraduate studies in Electronic Engineering at
the United States Naval Post Graduate School. He then returned to
Turkey, where he worked on various different projects in the
Research and Development Institution of TNF Command until 2003.
During his time at the TNF Command, M. Kubilay Tok led the
establishment of a Naval Software Development Center (YAZGEM);
took part in the design, development and management of the K-5
Combat Management System, Combat Operation System (SHM)
Simulator and GENESİS Combat Management System projects; and
worked as a specialist in such important projects as Long Horizon
and MELTEM. Since retiring from the TNF Command in 2003, he has
worked in YALTES and YALTEM, and is currently working as
Business Development Director at YALTEM.
Tayfun Duman
Navy Senior Captain (R)
Business Development
Consultant, YALTEM
Navy Capt. (R) Tayfun Duman graduated
from Turkish Naval Academy in 1985,
Naval War College in 1998 and the Joint
Command College in 2000. Tayfun
Duman, who served as branch officer, division officer and
executive officer on board naval units during his 17 years of active
service in the Navy, assumed Command of frigate TCG Gediz
and other navy units for about 4 years.
In 2008, Tayfun Duman was assigned as Chief of Staff, Turkish
Surface Action Group and in 2010 Commodore of the 3rd Destroyer
Division. Capt. Duman’s major shore duties include an advisory
post for the Commander of the Azerbaijani Naval Forces and Naval
Academy in 2007. Upon retirement in 2013, Tayfun Duman has
currently been working as the Business Development Consultant
for the company, YALTEM since June 2015.
of Turkey Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications,
Marine Trade Statistics, 2013, Statistics on Marine Vessels,
Sea Transportation and Incentives, 2014
http://www.ubak.gov.tr/BLSM_WIYS/DTGM/tr/Kitaplar/
20140613_162122_64032_1_64480.pdf
4 On June 8, 1995, the Grand National Assembly of Turkey delegated
the authority of taking all necessary actions, including those that may
be seen as necessary in terms of military power, to the Government
of the Republic of Turkey in order to protect and defend Turkey’s vital
interests in the event of the Greek Government extending its
territorial waters limit beyond six nautical miles in the Aegean Sea
and disrupting the balance established by the Lausanne Peace
Treaty and decided to declare this situation to the Greek public
and the world with good intentions.
108 - April 2016
© TNFC
Retired Engineer
(Msc.) Colonel
Business Development
Director at YALTEM
5 Since 2006, based on bilateral agreements between Turkey,
the RF, Ukraine and Romania have been contributing and
participating in operations.
6 Delimitation in the Eastern Mediterranean needs to be based on equity.
However, delimitation agreements of the Greek Cypriot Administration
of Southern Cyprus are based on median line criteria. Because the
coasts of the Island of Cyprus are much shorter than the countries
the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus makes
agreements, this method causes unbalanced consequences and
loss of rights for continental coastal states, particularly for Turkey
and Egypt. (See Sertaç Hami Başeren. ‘Doğu Akdeniz Deniz Yetki
Alanları Sınırlandırması Sorunu: Tarafların Görüşleri, Uluslararası
Hukuk Kurallarına Göre Çözüm ve Sondaj Krizi’, Doğu Akdeniz’de
Hukuk ve Siyaset- Opinions of the Parties, Solution in Accordance to
the Rules of International Law and Drilling Crisis’, Law and Politics in
the Eastern Mediterranean, pp. 259.)
7 NATO Alliance Maritime Strategy, June 17, 2011,
http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/official_texts_75615.htm
8 The 21st Century Naval Force of a World Superpower, M. Kubilay Tok,
Article, MSI Turkish Defence Review, Volume 124, October 2015.
9 http://www.dzkk.tsk.tr/icerik.php?icerik_id=225&dil=1&tdgg=1
10 According to the 2013 data of the US Energy Information
Administration (EIA) the total amount of worldwide oil and oil
derivatives production is 90.1 million barrels daily. 56.5 million barrels,
corresponding to 63 percent of this amount is transported by sea.
11 According to the 2013 data of the US Energy Information
Administration (EIA), daily amounts of crude oil and petroleum
products carried through the critical points in millions of barrels
are as follows: The Strait of Hormuz 17.0, the Strait of Malacca
15.2, the Suez Canal and the Suez-Mediterranean Pipeline 4.6,
the Bab-el Mandeb Strait 3.8, the Danish Straits 3.3,
the Turkish Straits 2.9, the Panama Canal 0.8.
12 Regarding this quotation attributed to Barbarossa Hayreddin Pasha,
two former professors from the US Naval Academy stated in their
book: A History of Sea Power published in 1920, “Sultan Soliman
the Magnificient, the ruler under whom the Turkish Empire reached
its zenith, summoned the Algerian corsair Barbarossa and gave him
supreme command over all the fleets under the Moslem banner. At
this time, 1533, Barbarossa was 77 years old, but he had lost
none of his fire or ability. On the occasion of being presented to the
Sultan, he uttered a saying that might stand as the text for all the
writings of Mahan: ‘Sire, he who rules on the sea will shortly rule on
the land also.’” (see: William Oliver Stevens, Alan Westcott,
A History of Sea Power, p.91,
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/24797/24797-h/24797-h.htm
HYPERLINK "http://www.gutenberg.org/files/24797/24797-h/24797-h.htm)
13 Deniz Gücünün Tarih Üzerine Etkisi 1660-1783, The Influence
of Sea Power Upon History 1660-1783, Admiral Alfred Thayer
Mahan.
14 Mustafa Kemal ATATÜRK, the Grand National Assembly of Turkey,
2nd Legislation Term, 2nd Session Opening Speech, November 1,
1937.