The Istanbul class and Turkey's shipbuilding capacity

Turkey's Black Sea and Mediterranean operating areas, coastal inlets and islands favor numerous escorts without requiring especially large ships. Istanbul belongs in the frigate category in this comparison despite its relatively modest size. Operating area influences a ship's dimensions, while its main mission determines the distinction between frigate and light frigate. Earlier Barbaros ships were built partly in Germany and partly in Turkey. Istanbul construction spans three Turkish yards, extending domestic capability beyond a single builder. An export of the design to Indonesia adds another outlet for that work.