Coinciding with the celebrations for the 572nd anniversary of the conquest of Istanbul, the Turkish Navy carried out the launch of the third of its new locally-built Reis-class attack submarines, named TCG Murat Reis. This unit was built by the Gölcük Naval Shipyard, which had already transferred it to a floating dock in June 2024, where final equipment installation and initial trials were conducted prior to its launch into the sea.
It is worth recalling that this is the third in a series of six submarines expected to be delivered to the service by 2027, with the first—TCG Piri Reis—launched in 2019. With the launch milestone now completed, TCG Murat Reis marks the halfway point in a major naval modernization program by the Turkish Navy, known as the New Type Submarine Project (YTDP), in which Ankara has invested over 2 billion euros. The project is being carried out in cooperation with German company ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS).
Regarding the technical features of the recently launched platform, it is based on the characteristics of the Type 214 submarines, as seen in both dimensions and capabilities. Specifically, the new Turkish submarine measures approximately 68 meters in length and 6 meters in beam, with each unit displacing around 2,050 tons. It is notable for incorporating an air-independent propulsion (AIP) system, allowing it to remain submerged for up to three weeks without needing to surface to use its diesel engine—thanks to its PEM fuel cells.
As previously mentioned, the submarine is being built at the Gölcük Naval Shipyard, which includes a “Hangar A” responsible for hull plate welding and partial assembly, and a “Hangar B” that completes the assembly and integrates the submarine’s equipment. Local industry involvement in the program also extends to its armament, as the submarines will be equipped with naval mines, ATMACA anti-ship missiles, and AKYA heavy torpedoes, among other systems.
*Image credits: Turkish Ministry of National Defense
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