The above image is for representational purposes only.
Romania took delivery of its first newly built naval vessel in three decades last week, marking a significant step in strengthening security in the Black Sea region while also deepening defense ties with Turkey.
The vessel, now commissioned as the ROS Contraamiral August Roman, was initially built for the Turkish Navy under the name Akhisar as an offshore patrol ship at Istanbul Naval Shipyard, operated by Turkish defense company Asfat. Romania acquired the ship through a government-to-government agreement signed in December 2025, valued at €223 million ($254 million), excluding value-added tax.
The handover represents the first time a warship constructed in Turkey has been delivered to a member state of both the European Union and NATO, highlighting Turkey’s expanding presence in the international naval defense market.
As currently equipped, the corvette features a 76mm main naval gun, two 12.7mm machine guns, advanced navigation and combat management systems, a three-dimensional surveillance radar, a fire-control radar linked to electro-optical sensors, electronic warfare capabilities, a hull-mounted sonar system, and an integrated communications network.
According to the Romanian Naval Forces, the ship is capable of conducting a wide range of missions, including maritime surveillance and reconnaissance, patrol operations, interdiction missions, search-and-rescue activities, anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and support for helicopter operations.
Romania intends to further enhance the vessel’s capabilities through a follow-on acquisition program worth approximately €42 million, scheduled for the second half of 2026. Planned upgrades include a vertical launch system for air-defense missiles, a 35mm close-in weapon system, rocket-assisted depth charge launchers, and additional electro-optical and infrared tracking technologies. The country also plans to integrate Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) through the European Union’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative.
The delivery comes amid expanding defense cooperation between Romania and Turkey. During a ceremony held on June 20, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan described the transfer as evidence of the strong strategic relationship between the two nations, emphasizing that security in the Black Sea region is closely linked to the broader Euro-Atlantic security framework.
Romanian President Nicușor Dan noted that discussions between the two countries extended beyond the ship transfer itself, covering potential Turkish investments in Romania’s defense industry and increased collaboration on safeguarding critical underwater infrastructure in the Black Sea.
