On Saturday, June 20, 2026, a commissioning ceremony for the Contraamiral August Roman (261) light missile corvette of the Hisar class into the Romanian Navy (Forțele Navale Române) was held at the İstanbul Denizcilik shipyard in Istanbul (also known as İstanbul Tersanesi Komutanlığı). The ceremony was attended by Romanian President Nicușor Dan, Minister of Defence Radu Miruță, and Chief of the General Staff General Gheorghiță Vlad. The vessel was formally handed over to its new operator four days earlier and has been assigned to the 50th Corvette Squadron.
Photos: Romanian Ministry Of Defence
Turkey was represented by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and representatives of the armed forces and ASFAT shipyard, as the ceremony was combined with a commissioning ceremony for the sister vessel TCG Koçhisar (P1221), destined for Ankara. Turkey has ordered six Hisar-class vessels.
On December 3, 2025, at the headquarters of the Romanian Ministry of National Defence in Bucharest, an intergovernmental agreement was signed with Turkey for the purchase from Turkish state company ASFAT (Askeri Fabrika ve Tersane İşletme Anonim Şirketi) of a single Hisar-class light missile corvette. The agreement was worth 223 million EUR net and concerned the acquisition of a vessel previously built for Turkey, specifically the prototype ex-TCG Akhisar (P-1220), whose construction began on August 15, 2021, and which was launched on September 23, 2023.
The vessel was not fully equipped, however, and received only a MKE 76/62 76mm naval gun and two UNIROBOTICS Targan 30mm remotely operated weapon stations. In connection with this, a contract worth 42 million EUR is planned for the second half of the year, covering additional capabilities and combat systems: a MIDLAS 8-cell vertical launch system for HISAR-D radar-guided surface-to-air missiles, an Aselsan GOKDENIZ 35mm close-in weapon system, a Roketsan ASW anti-submarine rocket system, and Aselsan Piri — KATS and DENİZGÖZÜ OCTOPUS-S electro-optical systems. Furthermore, under the SAFE (Security Action for Europe) program, the acquisition of NSM (Naval Strike Missile) anti-ship missiles is planned, instead of Turkish Atmaca missiles, in an 8-cell configuration.
Hisar-class vessels measure 99.56 m in length, 14.42 m in beam, have a draught of 3.77 m, and a displacement of 2,300 tonnes. The CODELOD diesel-electric propulsion system consists of four diesel engines and two electric motors, assisted by four diesel generators, providing a maximum speed of up to 24 knots and a range of up to 4,500 nautical miles at an economical speed of 12 knots. Endurance is 21 days. The vessel carries two RHIB-class rigid inflatable boats, an S-70B Seahawk-class naval helicopter, and an unmanned aerial vehicle.
Electronic equipment includes a METEKSAN YAKAMOS 2020 hull-mounted sonar, an Aselsan MAR-D 3D search radar, an Aselsan AKR-D fire control radar, and a navigation/LPI radar. In addition, a TÜBİTAK YELKOVAN electronic support measures system is fitted. All systems are integrated by the HAVELSAN ADVENT combat management system.
Hisar-class vessels were developed under Turkey’s broader MİLGEM (Milli Gemi Projesi) modernization program as offshore patrol vessels (OPV) or light corvettes (depending on armament configuration), which also encompasses the construction of full-size Ada-class corvettes, TF-100 İstanbul (aka İstif) missile frigates, and TF-2000 air defense missile destroyers.
Ministrul apărării naționale, @RaduMiruta, și șeful Statului Major al Apărării, generalul Gheorghiță Vlad, au făcut parte din delegația României🇷🇴, condusă de președintele Nicușor Dan, care a participat, sâmbătă, 20 iunie, la ceremonia militară desfășurată în Șantierul Naval din… pic.twitter.com/kS7CJGpEjJ
— MApN (@MApNRomania) June 20, 2026
« Notre industrie de défense constitue la locomotive de notre vision d’une Türkiye grande et puissante » https://t.co/VAwRfKplRZ pic.twitter.com/MYcnGrSs6L
— Présidence de la République de Türkiye (@tcbestepe_fr) June 20, 2026
ASFAT’tan tarihî teslimat, millî gurur! 🇹🇷🤝🏼🇹🇩
Cumhurbaşkanımız Sayın Recep Tayyip Erdoğan ve Romanya Cumhurbaşkanı Sayın Nicuşor Dan’ın teşrifleriyle gerçekleştirilen törenle; ana yükleniciliğimizde İstanbul Tersanesi Komutanlığımızda inşa edilen CAm. ROMAN Korveti’ni Romanya… pic.twitter.com/EZN89mdBzL
— ASFAT (@MSB_ASFAT) June 20, 2026
