The MEKO 200-class is the most successful example of the German Blohm & Voss' modular
design concept. Five nation chose these frigates, which attracted great attention in the international
market in the 1980s and 1990s. Now, we are investigating the MEKO 200-class, the surface
combatant that could be shaped for every need. Please don't forget to subscribe to our channel
before we start and give us a thumbs up if you like our video. To be notified of our
new video, please click the bell button. Thanks to its modular design that can be shaped
according to the demands of different users, five western navies chose the MEKO 200-class,
in the last two decades of the 20th century. We will mention each of them individually.
We will proceed chronologically and view Turkish and Portuguese models in our first episode.
In our next episode, we will continue with the Greek and Australian / New Zealand models.
Of course, we will first take a look at the development process of the MEKO 200-class.
MEKO is an acronym derived from the German words Mehrzweck-Kombination, which means Multipurpose
Combination. Blohm & Voss has developed the MEKO 140-class
corvette and MEKO 360-class destroyer, which can be easily shaped according to the user's
demands for foreign markets. Later, the MEKO 200-class frigate was developed
to fulfil the gap between the two class. The new model was a miniaturized version of
the MEKO 360. The hull and superstructure were angled-designed
to reduce the radar signature. To minimize the infrared signature, exhaust
gases were being cooled before they released into the atmosphere. The ship's angled funnel
design was also preventing the exhaust gases from damaging the radar and other electronic
systems on the mast. Turkey became the first customer of the MEKO
200-class. During the 1974 Turkish Invasion of Cyprus,
the aircraft of the Turkish Air Force had sunk the destroyer TCG Kocatepe due to a coordination
error. This incident had revealed that the air defence
capabilities of the Turkish Navy were insufficient. Therefore, in 1980, Turkey tried to build
the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates locally. However, Washington did not approve this request.
Later, Turkey chose the MEKO 200-class. In those years, the Turkish Navy staff was
preparing a comprehensive study on the 1982 Falkland War.
As a result of this study, Turkey requested some modifications on the ship.
So, the first Turkish MEKO 200s were 17 meters shorter and 400 tons lighter than the original
design. The first ship of this class, also known as
MEKO 200TN1-class or Yavuz-class, TCG Yavuz, was launched in 1985 and commissioned in 1987.
Turkey had ordered four MEKO 200-class frigates. The first and third ships were built in Germany
and the second and fourth ones in Turkey. Thanks to this programme, Turkey gained the
capability ot build modern warships. This capability would pave the way for the
development of the GENESIS combat management system as well as the design of Ada-class
corvettes. The complement of the Yavuz-class is 180-person.
The fully loaded displacement is 2,784 tons. The frigate has a length of 110.5 metres,
a beam of 14.8 metres, and a draught of 4.14 metres. The combined diesel and diesel configuration
propulsion system consists of four 16,500 horsepower MTU 16V1163 TB93 diesel engines.
The maximum speed of the Yavuz-class is 27 knots. With its economical speed of 20 knots,
the frigate can reach a range of 7,600 kilometres. The second customer of the MEKO 200-class
is Portugal. In the early 1980s, Lisbon was considering
acquiring the Kortenaer-class frigates. But, because of the high cost of this ship,
Portugal chose the MEKO 200-class in 1986. The first ship of this class, NRP Vasco da
Gama, also known as MEKO 200PN-class or Vasco da Gama-class, was launched in 1989 and commissioned
in 1991. All three Portuguese frigates were built in Germany.
The complement of the Vasco da Gama-class is 174-person. The fully loaded displacement
is 3,330 tons. The frigate has a length of 115.9 metres, a beam of 14.8 metres, and a
draught of 6.1 metres. The combined diesel or gas configuration propulsion system consists
of two 2,180 horsepower MTU 20V956 TB82 diesel engines and two 13,200 horsepower GE LM 2500
gas turbines. The maximum speed of the Vasco da Gama-class is 32 knots. With its economical
speed of 18 knots, the frigate can reach a range of 9,075 kilometres.
In 1990, Turkey ordered four additional MEKO 200-class frigates. These surface combatants,
which have different features from their predecessor, are known as MEKO 200TN2-class or Barbaros-class.
Also, the first two and last two ships have differences. So, the first two are named as
MEKO 200TN2A-class, and the last two are named as MEKO 200TN2B-class.
The main mission area of the previous Yavuz-class is near seas and littoral waters.
But, the Barbaros-class intended to operate on high seas. So, they are bigger and heavier
than their predecessors. The Barbaros-class frigates have a greater
distance between their masts. Thus, radars and electronic systems on the ship can be
used more efficiently without the risk of interfering with each other.
There are some measures on the ship to reduce acoustic signature.
The first ship of this class, TCG Barbaros, was launched in 1993 and commissioned in 1997.
Like the previous programme, the first and third ships were built in Germany and the
second and fourth ones in Turkey. The complement of the Barbaros-class is 190-person.
The fully loaded displacement is 3,400 tons. The frigate has a length of 116.7 metres,
a beam of 14.8 metres, and a draught of 6 metres. The last two frigates are 1.3 meters
longer. The combined diesel or gas configuration propulsion system consists of two 2,950 horsepower
MTU 16V1163 TB83 diesel engines and two 15.165 horsepower GE LM 2500 gas turbines. The maximum
speed of the Barbaros-class is 32 knots. With its economical speed of 18 knots, the frigate
can reach a range of 7,600 kilometres. Now, let's look at the subsystems of these
surface combatants. The Yavuz-class and the Vasco da Gama-class
have the DA 08 F-band air/surface search radar, whose range is 168 kilometres.
The AWS-9 air search radar of the Barbaros-class was replaced by the SMART-S Mk 2 long-range
air and surface surveillance radar. This radar can detect maritime patrol aircraft
from 200 kilometres and anti-ship missiles from 50 kilometres.
It can track more than 500 targets simultaneously. The Yavuz-class and Barbaros-class also have
the AWS-6 G-band air/surface search radar, whose range is 35 kilometre.
Portugal preferred the MW 08 F/G-band air radar.
All Portuguese and Turkish MEKO 200s have up to eight RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles.
This missile, whose range is 124 kilometres, has a 222-kilogram semi armour-piercing warhead.
Its maximum speed is Mach 0.86. The Yavuz-class and the Vasco da Gama-class
have one Mk 29 Mod1 octuple launcher for RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missiles, whose range is 14.5
kilometres. The maximum speed of the Sea Sparrow is Mach 2.5.
The Mk 29 Mod1 launchers of the first two Barbaros-class frigates were replaced by the
eight-cell Mk 41 vertical launching systems later.
The last two ships have this system since the beginning.
So, the Barbaros-class frigates use the RIM-162 ESSM air defence missiles, which has a range
of 50 kilometres and a maximum speed of Mach 4.
The Turkish MEKO 200s have one 127mm Mk 45 guns, which has an effective range of 23 kilometres
against surface targets and 15 kilometres against air targets.
The Vasco da Gama-class has one 100mm Mle68 gun, which has an effective range of 17 kilometres
against surface targets and 8 kilometres against air targets.
The Turkish frigates are equipped with three Sea Zenith 25mm four-barrel close-in weapon
systems directed by the Seaguard I/J-band radar, whose range is 16 kilometres.
The Sea Zenith has an effective range of 2 kilometres and a rate of fire of 3,400 rounds
per minute. There are 1,660 ready-to-fire rounds in the turrets, which is sufficient
for 18 engagements of missile targets. The Vasco da Gama class has one Mk 15 Phalanx
close-in weapon system, which has an effective range of 1.5 kilometres and a rate of fire
of 4,500 rounds per minute. All Portuguese and Turkish ships are equipped
with 324mm Mk 32 triple torpedo tubes. The Yavuz-class has aviation facilities, which
is suitable for an AB-212 helicopter. The Vasco da Gama-class has two Lynxes.
The Barbaros class has aviation facilities, which is suitable for an SH-60 Sea Hawk.
In 2007, Turkey had decided to execute a mid-life modernization programme for the Yavuz-class.
However, later this modernization was limited to only electronic warfare systems.
The AB-212 is now obsolete. And, the Yavuz-class, which does not have
aviation facilities suitable for the Sea Hawks, will lose their helicopter capability soon.
Possibly, the Turkish Navy does not see a future for these ships.
The Barbaros-class modernization project includes new weapons systems, a new combat management
system, new radars and sensors. Also, these ships will become stealthier. The complete
features of the modernization programme have not been officially published yet.
But, there are some illustrations of the modernized Barbaros -class ship.
So, it is possible that these frigates would be equipped with the Gökdeniz and Phalanx
close-in weapon systems, the Atmaca anti-ship missiles, and some indigenous electronic systems.
Similarly, the Portuguese Navy plans to modernize its fleet.
The Vasco da Gama class will be equipped with the RIM-162 ESSM air defence missiles and
a newer version of the Harpoon with land-attack capability.
Also, upgrading the current Phalanx version to the latest standard or changing it with
the SeaRAM close-in weapon system is on the agenda.
In 1990, TCG Turgutreis became the first Turkish warship to visit Japan, one century after
the Ertuğrul frigate of the Ottoman Navy. TCG Oruçreis was a ship in the Barbaros Task
Group of the Turkish Navy, which passed through the Cape of Good Hope for the first time in
the history of Turkey in 2014. The Turkish MEKO 200s have participated in
many international missions. They have countlessly encountered their Greek
sisters, Hydra-class, in the Aegean Sea. The Vasco da Gama-class frigates have also
participated in many international missions. One of the most notable of these was that
NRP Vasco da Gama served in East Timor in 1999-2000 as part of Operation INTERFET.
The Portuguese and Turkish MEKO 200s have been successfully performing their duties
for a long time. Although it may seem like the end of the line for the Yavuz-class, the
rest of the frigates will remain in service for many years. In these days of the Second
Cold War rising, they will continue to be one of the indomitable protectors of the West
on the seas. See you in our next episode about the legendary MEKO 200-class.
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