GE Aerospace Supports Turkish Frigates with Additional LM2500 Turbines
The Turkish Naval Forces, as part of its MILGEM project, will install LM2500 engines on its Ada-, Barbaros-, and Gabya-class frigates and corvettes.
GE Aerospace was contracted by Turkish Naval Forces (TNF) to supply LM2500 engines for four frigates, providing 23 MW of power to each vessel. This contract builds on last year’s agreement with TAIS OG-STM in which GE Aerospace delivered LM2500 marine gas turbines for three Istif-class frigates.
Istif-class frigates, larger than TNF Ada-class corvettes, are exclusively powered by LM2500 gas turbines and feature larger hulls for increased endurance, range capability, and longer-range weapons. A total of 31 LM2500 engines are currently equipped across 18 Turkish vessels.
Istif-class frigate; Image Credits: STM
In addition to Ada- and Istif-class ships, GE Aerospace turbines will be installed on Barbaros- and Gabya-class frigates and DIMDEG oil replenishment vessels. The LM2500 engine family is being considered for the TNF’s future TF-2000 air defense destroyer.
Other GE News
GE Vernova announced in July that it plans to invest $22 million in its manufacturing facility in Schenectady, NY. The investment focuses on manufacturing new advanced generators to meet the growing demand and is expected to create more than 150 jobs at the site.
“This investment will help us deliver for our global customers and allow us to expand our skilled workforce in the Capital District,” said Scott Strazik, CEO of GE Vernova. “We are committed to growing our facility in Schenectady and this is another strong step in that direction. This region is the foundation on which GE Vernova is built—we have talent here and we plan to continue to cultivate and invest in them.”
The funding enables the production of GE Vernova’s H65 and H84 generators, including its stator bars and stator core systems, which require advanced manufacturing processes. These generators are typically coupled to the company’s HA-class gas turbines.
In March, GE Vernova’s power conversion division signed a contract with ST Engineering Marine Ltd. for its Ship’s Electric Grid with an integrated full-electric propulsion (IFEP) system. As part of the Singapore Navy’s Multi-Role Combat Vessel program, this equipment was installed on six MRCVs to replace a fleet of mechanical drive Victory-class missile corvettes.
The Ship’s Electric Grid generates electricity needed for propulsion and powers the operational and mission systems, including radar and communications. The system can distribute electric power to other loads on the ship’s network, enabling higher energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional mechanical drive configurations.
GE Vernova Power Conversion will supply generators, medium-voltage switchboards, transformers, propulsion variable frequency drives, electric propulsion motors, thruster motors, soft starters, a shore power connection, a power management system, and a propulsion control system. The electric propulsion systems will be delivered over the next 10 years.
