Turkmen Naval Forces ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ฒ

Key facts

Official Name Turkmen Naval Forces
Country๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ฒ Turkmenistan
World rank#60
Ships in service45 (as of 2026)
Total ships45
Naval ensign

Ensign of Turkmenistan navy

Number of active ships by category

Ship category Active
Patrol boats 31
Support ships 10
Corvettes 3
Amphibious ships 1

Global Navy Index

10.5
Global Rank: #60 / 70
The Navy Index measures Turkmen Naval Forces's overall naval capability on a 0-100 scale, based on fleet composition and combat effectiveness.
๐Ÿšข Capital Ships 0 Aircraft carriers & cruisers (highest weight)
โš“ Major Combatants 0 Destroyers, submarines & frigates
๐Ÿšค Light Combatants 4 Corvettes & amphibious vessels
โ›ต Minor Vessels 31 Patrol, coastal & mine warfare
๐Ÿ“Š Total Active 45 Combat vessels (auxiliaries excluded)

Methodology: Square root scaled index weighted by ship combat capability. Capital ships score highest due to force projection capability. Auxiliary vessels are excluded.

Overview

Turkmenistanโ€™s maritime strategy centers on the defense of its territorial waters and the protection of offshore energy infrastructure within the Caspian Sea. The state operates under a policy of permanent neutrality, which shapes its naval doctrine to prioritize border security, the prevention of illicit maritime trade, and the safeguarding of subsea pipelines and gas platforms. In January 2026, the government approved an action plan for the Interdepartmental Commission on Caspian Sea Affairs to coordinate maritime policy and regional environmental initiatives. Operations are primarily defensive, emphasizing sovereignty over the state's exclusive economic zone and response capabilities for maritime emergencies.

The fleet composition is tailored for littoral warfare and coastal surveillance, consisting largely of corvettes and offshore patrol vessels. The flagship is the *Deniz Han*, a corvette equipped with surface-to-air and anti-ship missile systems. The force also utilizes *Arkadag*-class patrol vessels, which are derived from Turkish designs, alongside Russian-made *Tarantul*-class missile boats. Small-craft inventory includes coastal patrol boats used for law enforcement and fisheries protection. A specialized naval infantry unit, the Naval Infantry Separate Brigade, provides amphibious and shore-defense capabilities. The naval force does not operate a submarine component and relies on land-based aviation for maritime patrol and search and rescue operations.

Detailed inventory of Turkmen Navy

Amphibious ships

Type Class Ship Name Hull Number Status Year
Landing Craft LCM-1 SK 156 Active -

Corvettes

Type Class Ship Name Hull Number Status Year
Corvette Deniz Han Deniz Han C-92 Active 2021
Molniya Edermen 211 Active -
Molniya Gayratly 214 Active -

Patrol boats

Type Class Ship Name Hull Number Status Year
Fast Attack Missile Boat FAC 33 Kรคmil SG121 Active 2015
FAC 33 SG122 Active -
FAC 33 Galjaลˆ SG123 Active -
FAC 33 Gaplaลˆ SG124 Active -
FAC 33 (2 ships) Active -
Fast Intervention Boat FIB-15 (10 ships) Active -
Patrol Boat Grif Active 2002
Kalkan-M Active 2002
Point Merjin SG110 Active 2010
Sobol (2 ships) Active -
Missile Boat Tuzla Arkadag SG111 Active 2012
Tuzla Berkarar SG112 Active -
Tuzla Merdana SG113 Active -
Tuzla Erkana SG114 Active -
Tuzla Asuda SG115 Active -
Tuzla Mergen SG116 Active -
Tuzla Hรผsgรคr SG117 Active -
Tuzla Synmaz SG118 Active -
Tuzla Nayza SG119 Active -
Tuzla Ezber SG120 Active -

Support ships

Type Class Ship Name Hull Number Status Year
Fast Passenger Ferry - Active -
Tug Boat - (2 ships) Active -
Hydrographic Survey Ship HSV-41 Active -
Multi-Purpose Offshore Support Vessel MPOSV-72 (5 ships) Active -
Ambulance Boat SK620 Active -

Frequently Asked Questions

How many ships does Turkmenistan's navy have?
Turkmen Naval Forces operates 45 active naval vessels. Including reserve and training ships, the total fleet size is 45 vessels.
How does Turkmenistan's navy rank globally?
Turkmen Naval Forces ranks #60 out of 70 navies worldwide based on the Global Navy Index, which measures overall naval capability considering fleet composition and combat effectiveness.
Does Turkmenistan have submarines?
No, Turkmen Naval Forces does not currently operate submarines. The fleet focuses on surface vessels for coastal defense and patrol missions.
Does Turkmenistan have aircraft carriers?
No, Turkmen Naval Forces does not currently operate aircraft carriers. Power projection relies on other surface combatants and land-based naval aviation.
What is the Navy Index of Turkmenistan?
Turkmenistan has a Navy Index score of 10.5 out of 100. This composite score measures overall naval capability, with capital ships (carriers, cruisers) weighted highest, followed by major combatants (destroyers, submarines, frigates), and light combatants.
What types of ships does Turkmenistan's navy operate?
Turkmen Naval Forces operates a diverse fleet including 31 patrol boats, 10 support ships, 3 corvettes, 1 amphibious ships. The fleet composition reflects the country's maritime defense priorities and strategic requirements.
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Last updated on 14 January 2026 Suggest a change