Romania Acquires Turkish Hisar-Class Corvette to Bolster Black Sea Naval Capabilities

Romania Finalizes Acquisition of Turkish Hisar-Class Corvette

Bucharest, Romania – Romania has officially signed an intergovernmental contract with Türkiye for the purchase of a Hisar-class corvette, a significant step in modernizing its naval capabilities and strengthening its presence in the Black Sea region. The agreement, valued at €223 million excluding VAT, was formally concluded on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at the Ministry of National Defence headquarters in Bucharest.

The contract involves the acquisition of the TCG Akhisar (P-1220), the lead vessel of Türkiye's Hisar-class offshore patrol vessels, which was launched in September 2023 and commenced sea trials in December 2024. This landmark deal represents Türkiye's first export of a warship to a NATO and European Union member country.

Details of the Intergovernmental Agreement

The signing ceremony saw Brigadier General Ion-Cornel Pleșa, head of the General Directorate for Armaments, representing Romania, while Mustafa İlbaş, CEO of ASFAT (a state-owned defense company under the Turkish Ministry of National Defense), signed on behalf of Türkiye. The event was also attended by Romania's Acting Minister of National Defence, Radu Miruță, and Türkiye's Deputy Minister of Defence, Musa Heybet.

The €223 million purchase price covers not only the vessel itself but also comprehensive personnel training and a logistical support package. The total program cost is estimated to reach approximately €265 million once national integration work and additional systems are included. The acquisition follows approval granted in March 2025 by the Homeland Defence Supreme Council for a multi-annual program to enhance Romania's naval capabilities, with unanimous endorsement from the joint defense committees of the Senate and Chamber of Deputies on September 8.

Capabilities of the Hisar-Class Corvette

The Hisar-class corvette, which Romania classifies as a 'light corvette' while Türkiye refers to it as an Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), is designed for a range of missions including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), patrol, combat roles, and the protection of critical maritime infrastructure.

• Dimensions: The vessel measures 99.5 meters in length, has a maximum beam of 14.4 meters, and displaces approximately 2,300 tons.
• Propulsion: It features a Combined Diesel Electric or Diesel (CODELOD) propulsion system, combining four diesel engines with two electric motors, supported by four diesel generators.
• Speed and Range: This configuration allows for a top speed of 24 knots and an operational range of about 4,500 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 12 knots.
• Armament: Its main weapons include a 76-mm naval gun and two 12.7-mm machine guns, all coordinated through the ADVENT combat management system and an integrated gunfire control system. Romania also plans to integrate Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) after the vessel's arrival, enhancing its anti-ship capabilities.

The Hisar-class design is an evolution of Türkiye's MILGEM (National Ship) initiative, derived from the Ada-class corvette, optimized for cost-effectiveness and patrol missions.

Strategic Importance for Black Sea Security

This acquisition is a critical component of Romania's broader naval modernization efforts, addressing deficiencies in its fleet, which currently includes vessels dating back to the late Cold War era. The rapid delivery of the TCG Akhisar, expected within approximately six months of the contract signing, will significantly enhance Romania's maritime presence and surveillance capabilities in support of NATO's eastern flank.

Acting Minister of National Defence Radu Miruță stated, 'The entry of a new ship into the Naval Forces' service is a concrete step, which strengthens our defence capacity in the Black Sea. We are not just talking about military equipment, but about Romania's security and respect for our military who need the best conditions to carry out their missions.' The new corvette is expected to contribute significantly to Romania's operational readiness amid growing regional security concerns and will enhance its ability to operate alongside NATO partners.