What are the features of Türkiye's first advanced submarine?

Eviralnews,, the Turkish Navy officially launched the first “Reis” class submarine during a ceremony at the Aksaz naval base located near Marmaris on the southwest coast of this country.

This submarine, which is equipped with an Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system, is the first of six submarines planned in this project. The next submarines are scheduled to be commissioned by 2029. This project has been launched with the aim of strengthening the Turkish defense industry with the help of the German company Thyssenkrupp.

In addition to this submarine, Turkey also launched its first aircraft carrier named “TCG Anadolu” last year. These developments indicate a shift in Türkiye's military policies towards new naval equipment.

This is the first Turkish submarine equipped with six air-independent propulsion systems, and according to officials, more than 380 successful tests have been conducted on it.

Ankara currently plans to build six Reis-class submarines equipped with air-independent propulsion systems. The second submarine also began its sea trials last weekend, and the third submarine is in the final stages.

The second submarine is expected to be commissioned in 2025 and the third submarine in 2026. The fourth, fifth and sixth submarines are also under construction. The goal is that all submarines of this project will be operational by 2029.

Although the deployment of this submarine is considered an important milestone for the Turkish Navy; It should be noted that Ankara has received significant assistance from Germany, which is a member of NATO, in the design and construction of these submarines.

According to the report of the “Janes” International Military Analysis Institute, in 2008, Turkey chose the German ThyssenKrupp Shipbuilding Company to design and meet its need for new submarines to replace the old Type 209 submarines, and in 2009, this company signed a contract worth 2.5 billion euros with Turkey signed to build these six submarines.

Construction of the first submarine began in 2015, it was supposed to be delivered to the Turkish Navy by the end of 2022, but was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

These vessels have a single-hull, single-compartment design, while more importantly, they are equipped with an air-independent propulsion system based on the “HDW” fuel cell technology, which allows the submarines to operate for long periods of time without the need to use Battery to operate under water.

Each of these submarines weighs 1,850 tons and is 68.35 meters long. The crew of these submarines includes 40 officers and sailors.

The commissioning of the first Reis-class submarine comes months after the Istanbul Naval Shipyard revealed the latest developments for its future ships, including the duties of a second “aircraft carrier”.

In a meeting held on January 3, 2024 by the Turkish Defense Industry Executive Committee, Erdogan gave the green light for the construction of the second aircraft carrier.

It was last year that the aircraft carrier “TCG Anadolu” was handed over to the Turkish Navy. This ship is based on the model of Spanish Navy ships and was built with 70% domestic production. According to Turkish officials, a team of about 110 people at the Design Project Office (DPO) is exploring ways to increase the proportion of domestic production in the new national aircraft carrier.

However, unlike many other ships in service with the Navy, the Turkish carrier is primarily designed for drone operations.

Although Turkey does not have submarines and aircraft carriers with nuclear power, it seems that the country is looking for the best possible options for its naval equipment.