The doctrine of the \u201cBlue Homeland \u201d was developed by Admiral Cem G\u00fcrdeniz in 2006 and refined to the level of state strategy by the former commander of the Turkish Naval Forces, Rear-Admiral Cihat Yayc\u0131. The essence of the doctrine is that the continental shelf and the water area of Turkey have the same importance and significance for the state as its land. Therefore, Turkey should promote its interests at sea, as actively as on land.<\/span><\/p>\n Yayc\u0131 conducted a scientific study and determined that the total area of the Blue Homeland, including the continental shelf, the water surface and the waters of the seas, is 462 thousand square kilometers. Turkey\u2019s maritime jurisdiction areas are determined by the following principles, as stated by Admiral Cihat Yayc\u0131: \u00a01) equity (States with opposite coasts share the seas fairly), 2) superiority of Geography (Based on the mainland as the delimitation means that the islands that are on the opposite side of the bisector line have sea authority as much as their territorial waters), 3) proportionality (In the delimitation, it means that the maritime jurisdiction states will have is proportional to their coastal lengths), 4) the State of \u2018Not closing\u2019 (means that the islands close to the coasts of another state should not prevent this coast from sailing). Thanks to the doctrine, all these activities from fishing and shipping to naval policy began to acquire a structured and logical form that meets the interests of the country. In addition, it is the doctrine that allows it to build verified and pragmatic relations with the countries of the region, based not only on cultural and religious similarities, as it was before, but on the real interests of the country.<\/span><\/p>\n \n Real Turkish EEZ and EEZ according to Blue Homeland in Mediterranean Sea<\/span><\/p>\n This doctrine is an open attempt to redistribute the balance of power in the sea areas adjacent to Turkey. With the help of this document, Ankara makes its claims to the role of a strong maritime power. The goal of the strategy is to return Turkey to a dominant role in the Mediterranean and strengthen the country\u2019s military and trade power. The implementation of such an ambitious program requires well-developed naval forces. It is necessary to analyze the state of the Turkish Navy in order to understand what Ankara is capable of in the implementation of its doctrine.<\/span><\/p>\n Turkish Naval Forces<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n At the moment, Turkey has the following samples in service:<\/span><\/p>\n SUBMARINES<\/span><\/p>\n The Turkish Navy also signed an agreement with HDW on the joint production of six Type 214 submarines with an air-independent propulsion system. These submarines will be built jointly, but with the maximum amount of local equipment at the G\u00f6lc\u00fck Naval Shipyard. Turkey is trying to reduce its dependence on the United States and NATO partners in the production and operation of submarines. Ankara receives missiles, containers, test and auxiliary equipment, spare parts, technical documentation on Harpoon anti-ship missiles from Washington. The Pentagon trains Turkish naval personnel, provides technical support for the delivery of AGM-84L missiles and performs other tasks for the material support.<\/span><\/p>\n \n Turkish navy on military exercises<\/span><\/p>\n The Turkish command provides for the simultaneous operation of 13-14 units of submarines capable of delivering a torpedo or missile attack on the enemy at any time. Such a number of submarines will allow Ankara to fully control the Black Sea Straits and the entire Black Sea basin, as well as respond to challenges in the Mediterranean Sea.<\/span><\/p>\n FRIGATES:<\/span><\/p>\n The MEKO 200 class frigates are not designed for sea superiority. Frigates serve for defensive purposes. In addition, this type of frigates is technically outdated and needs to be replaced.<\/span><\/p>\n CORVETTES:<\/span><\/p>\n \n Commissioning ceremony of the Turkish Navy\u2019s TCG Kinaliada Ada-class corvette<\/span><\/p>\n OTHER TYPES OF SHIPS<\/span><\/p>\n At the moment, the universal landing ship Anadolu is under construction. The ship has a displacement of 27.5 thousand tons. Initially, the ship was supposed to be an aircraft carrier with 12 F-35B aircraft. Due to Turkey\u2019s withdrawal from the F-35 program, it is expected that the ship will be designed to carry helicopters and attack UAVs. Also, Turkey has moved towards the development of its own TF-2000 class destroyer. TF-2000 is an air defense destroyer that is currently being developed by the Turkish Naval Institute. The class will provide survivability in the presence of an air threat, as well as support mission functions such as command, control and communications, reconnaissance, early warning, surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare and electronic warfare.<\/span><\/p>\n modules applicable to TF 2000<\/span><\/p>\n Turkey has a powerful navy on a regional scale. In the short term, these ships are enough to project their power in the waters. Taking into account the fact that no one in the Black Sea region is putting pressure on Turkey, all the main power is directed at the Mediterranean region. It is in this region that Turkey has begun the systematic implementation of the \u201cBlue Homeland\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n Implementation of the \u201cBlue Homeland\u201d doctrine.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n The doctrine\u2019s special interest in the Mediterranean is connected with the complex of problems that Ankara has faced in the region:<\/span><\/p>\n \u2013 Cyprus problem and security issues;<\/span><\/p>\n \u2013 conflicts with regional players (Greece, Israel);<\/span><\/p>\n \u2013 Turkey\u2019s isolation in the region (Turkey is not involved either in the Eastern Mediterranean pipeline project or in the activities of the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum);<\/span><\/p>\n \u2013 the wealth of energy resources of the Mediterranean shelf.<\/span><\/p>\n The first step towards the implementation of the doctrine was the signing of a Memorandum on the delimitation of maritime zones in the Mediterranean Sea between Turkey and Libya. As a result of this agreement, the Greek islands were deprived of the right to the continental shelf and the exclusive economic zone. Shortly after, Turkish vessels were sent to the disputed areas to conduct seismic surveys. Due to threats from Greece, as well as to demonstrate strength, each seismic vessel is accompanied by warships.<\/span><\/p>\n At the same time, Turkey held the largest naval exercises in the history of the country. The exercises were held in three seas at once: the Black, Aegean and Mediterranean. The entire naval and air force of the country was involved in the exercises. The symbolism of the name and the scale of the exercise clearly demonstrated Turkey\u2019s readiness to defend its interests in the region by harsh methods.<\/span><\/p>\n \n Conclus\u0131ons<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n Turkey\u2019s actions to implement the doctrine of the \u201cBlue Motherland\u201d are tough and expansionist in nature. Turkey proceeds from the understanding that no one will dare to open a conflict with it, so it behaves this way in the region. In the medium term, most of the ships will become technically obsolete and will not be able to provide the country\u2019s defense capability. In the context of the crisis in relations with Western countries and the economic crisis in the country, Turkey has no opportunity to purchase new ships. The construction of its own ships is also impossible, Ankara does not have a technical base for this.<\/span><\/p>\n Based on this, it can be assumed that Turkey\u2019s actions are not aimed at ensuring the country\u2019s resource base. The \u201cgas war\u201d is just a cover for real purposes. Gas production from the Mediterranean shelf is currently unprofitable and will not bring any dividends to Turkey. In addition, Turkey does not have the technology to extract offshore gas in such difficult conditions. Turkey\u2019s aggressive actions are primarily aimed at stopping all economic projects in which Turkey is not involved. Ankara creates conditions under which no issue in the region will be resolved without it.<\/span><\/p>\n Turkey has lost the ability to solve all problems alone. Given the difficult situation in the issue of armament renewal, we should expect Turkey\u2019s actions to intensify in the space of the \u201cBlue Homeland\u201d. Ankara will go all-in to take the most advantageous position while it has the opportunity to do so. There are no states among the regional players that would respond to the challenge from Turkey. We see the emerging alliance of Greece and France, but so far it does not go beyond words.<\/span><\/p>\n source:https:\/\/southfront.org<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 23\/10\/2021 Turkey in the 21st century began to rethink its place in the international system. 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