Turkey Launches Third Reis-Class AIP Submarine, Boosting Naval Modernization
Turkey Launches Advanced TCG MURATREİS Submarine
The Turkish Navy has taken a significant step forward in its undersea warfare capabilities with the launch of the TCG MURATREİS (S-332), the third vessel in the Reis-class attack submarine series. Announced by the Turkish Defense Industry Agency (SSB) on May 29, 2025, this submarine is part of Turkey’s New Type Submarine Project (YTNM), which aims to modernize its submarine fleet. The TCG MURATREİS has entered the testing and sea trial phase, with official commissioning expected in 2026.
Reis-Class: A Fusion of German Engineering and Turkish Innovation
The Reis-class submarines are a Turkish adaptation of the German Type 214 design, specifically tailored for Turkish service as Type 214TN. These advanced diesel-electric submarines feature state-of-the-art Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems, allowing for prolonged submerged operations while maintaining a low acoustic signature. This capability is essential for stealth and survivability in various maritime environments.
The Reis-class program began on July 2, 2009, through an agreement between Turkey’s defense procurement agency and a German consortium that includes Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft GmbH (HDW) of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and MarineForce International LLP. The contract, valued at approximately €2.06 billion, became effective on June 22, 2011, and includes the construction of six submarines at the Gölcük Naval Shipyard. This initiative combines international expertise with significant domestic industrial participation.
Strengthening Domestic Defense Capabilities
A primary goal of the Reis-class project is to enhance Turkey’s self-sufficiency in defense technology. Leading Turkish companies, such as ASELSAN, HAVELSAN, STM, AYESAŞ, TÜBİTAK, KoçSavunma, and MilSOFT, are playing crucial roles in this endeavor. Their contributions span vital areas, including combat management systems, sensor integration, electronic warfare suites, data processing, and command and control infrastructure. The construction process is designed to facilitate a gradual transfer of advanced submarine technology from Germany to Turkey, ensuring a robust domestic defense industry.
Reis-Class Fleet Expansion on Schedule
The TCG MURATREİS (S-332) joins its sister ships in the Reis-class program. The lead submarine, TCG Piri Reis (S-330), was commissioned on August 24, 2024, while the second vessel, TCG Hızır Reis (S-331), was launched in May 2023 and is expected to be commissioned by the end of 2025. Construction is ongoing for the remaining three submarines: TCG Aydın Reis (S-333), TCG Seydi Ali Reis (S-334), and TCG Selman Reis (S-335). The Turkish Navy aims for the entire Reis-class fleet to achieve full operational capability by 2029.
The Reis-class submarines are equipped with advanced Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell-based AIP systems, enabling them to remain submerged for up to 20 days without surfacing. This significantly enhances their stealth and operational endurance for covert missions in contested maritime zones. Key specifications include a length of approximately 68.3 meters, a beam of 6.3 meters, a submerged displacement of around 2,000 tons, an operational depth exceeding 400 meters, and a submerged speed of over 20 knots. The design minimizes acoustic signatures, making these submarines difficult to detect.
Potent Armament and Sensor Suites
Each Reis-class submarine is armed with eight 533mm torpedo tubes capable of deploying heavyweight torpedoes, including the domestically produced ROKETSAN Akya and UGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles. Future upgrades will integrate Turkey’s next-generation Atmaca anti-ship missile and the Gezgin long-range land-attack cruise missile, enhancing their strike capabilities. Additionally, the submarines can lay naval mines.
The vessels are equipped with an advanced Integrated Combat Management System (CMS), developed collaboratively by HAVELSAN and STM. This system is complemented by cutting-edge sonar technologies, periscopes, flank arrays, active-passive sonar, Electronic Support Measures (ESM), and Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) capabilities, along with modern navigation systems that utilize inertial and GPS-assisted technologies.
Bolstering Turkey’s Submarine Force
With the launch of TCG MURATREİS, the Turkish Navy’s active submarine fleet now comprises 13 vessels. This diverse fleet includes two Atilay-class (Type 209/1200), four Preveze-class (Type 209/1400), four Gür-class (Type 209/1400), and the newly commissioned Reis-class submarines. This strategic mix ensures a balanced capability for both current and future undersea operations, ranging from coastal defense to long-range power projection.
MILDEN: The Path to Indigenous Submarine Development
Looking ahead, Turkey is pursuing the MILDEN (Milli Denizaltı – National Submarine) program, which aims to develop an entirely indigenous class of AIP-powered submarines. Construction of the first MILDEN-class submarine began on January 2, 2025, at the Gölcük Naval Shipyard, with operational deployment expected in the 2030s. This initiative underscores Turkey’s commitment to strategic autonomy and fostering homegrown defense innovation.
Strategic Impact: Enhancing Regional Deterrence
The launch of TCG MURATREİS is not merely a fleet expansion; it marks Turkey’s growing capabilities in developing a technologically advanced and self-reliant defense sector. By deploying these next-generation AIP submarines, characterized by enhanced stealth, extended endurance, and versatile armament, Turkey is significantly strengthening its deterrent capabilities in critical maritime regions, including the Eastern Mediterranean, Aegean, and Black Seas.
A robust submarine force provides Turkey with strategic depth and an asymmetric advantage in potentially contested waters. During periods of tension, these submarines present an unseen yet credible strike threat, while in peacetime, they serve as a silent guardian of national sovereignty. The Reis-class project and the launch of its third submarine are thus vital components of Turkey’s evolving maritime strategy and a testament to its rising status as a regional naval power.
