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Turkish Corvette TCG BUYUKADA joins NATO Counter Piracy Operation

GULF OF ADEN – Today, the Turkish Navy Corvette TCG BUYUKADA (F-512) has joined to NATO’s counter piracy Operation Ocean Shield.

The ship will conduct regular counter piracy patrols in Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean and provide support to NATO’s regional capacity building efforts in order to enhance interoperability and cooperation between the nations in the area. The ship will also conduct training with several counter-piracy naval forces operating in the Indian Ocean.

"We are very pleased by Turkish Navy’s continued support to counter piracy efforts and its firm commitment to international maritime security,” said Commander NATO Allied Maritime Command, Vice Admiral Peter Hudson. "Though the number of piracy attacks has significantly declined, piracy at sea has not been eliminated, so vigilance by the international community remains necessary.”

Commanded by Lieutenant Commander Ali Tuna Baysal, TCG BUYUKADA is a modern littoral combat warship with indigenous surface, air and anti-submarine warfare capabilities. The 2400-ton, 99.5m long corvette is equipped with numerous weapons systems and can carry a helicopter and a crew of approximately 90 Sailors.