Donanma

Donanma is the Turkish term for a nation's navy. In Turkey, it denotes the naval branch of the armed forces and is commonly used interchangeably with Türk Deniz Kuvvetleri, the official name of the Turkish Navy. The term also appears in historical contexts to refer to naval forces and fleets.

Historically, the Ottoman Navy (Donanma) was a major regional power in the eastern Mediterranean, participating in major conflicts from the 15th century onward, including the Battle of Lepanto (1571). It remained active through the Balkan Wars and World War I. After the Republic of Turkey was founded in 1923, the navy underwent modernization and reorganization. Turkey joined NATO in 1952, which shaped its postwar defense posture and interoperability with allied fleets. In recent decades, the Turkish Navy has expanded its capabilities with domestically produced ships and international cooperation, increasing its presence in the Black Sea, Aegean, and Mediterranean.

Organization and equipment: The Turkish Naval Forces are part of the Turkish Armed Forces and report to the Ministry of National Defence. The service operates multiple bases and a fleet that includes surface combatants, submarines, mine warfare vessels, and naval aviation. Modern programs such as the MILGEM project have produced corvettes and frigates for the fleet, complemented by patrol craft and support ships, with ongoing modernization of older vessels.

Role and activities: The Donanma defends Turkish territorial waters, conducts maritime security operations, and participates in international exercises and missions. It cooperates with allied navies within NATO and regional partners, contributes to search-and-rescue and humanitarian relief, and maintains a capability for power projection in regional waters.