Barbaros-class frigate  The "Barbaros"-class frigates are among the most modern frigates in the Turkish Navy. They were designed in Germany and are part of the MEKO group of modular warships, in this case the MEKO 200 design. Two ships were built in Germany and two in Turkey with German assistance. They are larger than the previous s and are also faster due to using CODOG machinery rather than pure diesels. The first two vessels (F-244 and F-245) are defined as the "Barbaros" class (MEKO 200 TN Track II-A) while the last two vessels (F-246 and F-247) are defined as the "Salih Reis" class (MEKO 200 TN Track II-B) by the Turkish Navy. The two vessels of the "Salih Reis" class were fitted with the Mk.41 VLS, while the Sea Sparrow launchers on the older "Barbaros"-class vessels are currently being replaced with Mk.41 VLS, which is capable of launching Evolved Sea Sparrow (ESSM) missiles. On 3 April 2018 a contract was signed between Aselsan - Havelsan Joint Venture and the secretariat for Defense Industry (SSM) regarding the Barbaros Class Frigate mid-life modernization project. Two of the frigates of the class have already received two 8-cell Mk41 vertical launcher system (VLS) modules, which replaced the obsolete MK29 Sea Sparrow launchers. Additionally the old AWS-9 3D air search radars has been replaced by modern Thales SMART-S Mk2 3D radars.