The past 27 November, the German company ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) announced that it had delivered a new Type 214 attack submarine to the Turkish Navy, built locally together with the Gölcük Naval Shipyard. This is the unit that will bear the name TCG Hızırreis, which becomes the second in a future fleet of six submarines, a force that already includes a first vessel inducted into service, an event reported in August 2024.
To celebrate the milestone, a formal ceremony was held with the attendance of senior authorities from the Turkish Navy, the German company, and the local shipyards involved. Citing official statements from some of the guests, we can mention the Executive Vice President for Submarines at TKMS, Christian Rogge, who said: “All parties involved have demonstrated a high level of commitment and willingness to cooperate from the beginning of the project; this is the only way to carry out projects of this magnitude within the established schedule and budget. The delivery underscores the excellent collaboration between TKMS, GNSY and the Turkish Navy.”
In line with this, it should be recalled that the German company is responsible for the design of these submarines, as well as for providing the materials required for their construction and supervising the entire manufacturing process, including subsequent testing. In addition, it is worth noting that TKMS has agreed to an 18-month warranty period for the units, keeping the company tied to the fleet’s induction process and providing technical support as required.
On another note, TKMS’s official communication following the delivery of this second submarine also revealed that construction of the remaining four units that will make up the Turkish fleet is already underway, each at different stages of the build process. Moreover, delivery of what will be the third Type 214 submarine is scheduled for 2026, assuming the Gölcük Naval Shipyard maintains its planned timeline; that unit had already been launched this past May.
Finally, reviewing some characteristics of the submarine class mentioned thus far, it can be noted that these units measure 68 meters in length and 6 meters in beam, housing a displacement of 2,050 tons. Among their main advantages is an air-independent propulsion (AIP) system that allows them to remain submerged for up to three weeks without needing to surface to run their diesel engine, achieved through the use of PEM fuel cells. Regarding armament, the class will stand out for its compatibility with various domestically manufactured weapons, including ATMACA anti-ship missiles and AKYA heavyweight torpedoes, among other systems.
Image credit: TKMS
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