Turkey Launches Second Reis-Class Type 214 AIP Submarine
The Turkish Ministry of Defense announced the launch of the second submarine in the New Type Submarine Project (YTDP), which was started by a joint venture between the Turkish Defense Industry Presidency (SSB) and Thyssen Krupp Marine Systems (TKMS) in response to the needs of the Turkish Naval Forces Command. Turkey’s second Reis class (Type-214TR) submarine, which was built as part of the project, was launched (dry-docked) on May 23 at the Gölcük Shipyard in Kocaeli, Turkey’s port city. The initial welding of the TCG Selman Submarine, which will be the project’s 6th vessel, also took place at the event. The ceremony’s main guest was Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who was joined by high-ranking officials such as Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and Chief of General Staff General Yaşar Güler.
On June 22, 2011, Germany’s TKMS and the SSB signed the New Type Submarine Project (YTDP), which includes the construction of six U 214 class submarines with AIP (Air Independent Propulsion System) at a cost of €2.060 billion. The YTDP is the largest submarine construction project ever undertaken by the SSB and Naval Forces Command. The project entails the construction of six AIP-capable Reis Class Type 214TN submarines at Gölcük Shipyard Command, with HDW Shipyard providing technical support and technology transfer.
At the launch President Erdoğan made statements regarding the delivery dates of new type submarines to the Naval Forces Command during his opening speech at the occasion. Erdoğan stated that they plan to deliver the first submarine, Piri Reis, to the Naval Forces Command this year and said, “Our Hızır Reis submarine is scheduled to enter service in 2022, and the Selman Reis submarine in 2027. By entering one of our submarines into service each year, we will have added six new type submarines to our Navy by 2027.”
Erdoğan continued his speech by saying that he cares about the success of delivering a Reis class (Type-214TR) submarine to the navy every year starting this year. Erdoğan also made statements about the National Submarine Project. Erdoğan stated that preparations are proceeding at full speed, and that the construction of MİLDEN will begin in 2025 with delivery projected in 5-6 years.
The submarines, based on ThyssenKrupp’s Type-214 model, have a domestic Turkish contribution of more than 80%. The Submarine Information Distribution System, sometimes known as the brain of the submarine, was developed by HAVELSAN as part of the SSB’s efforts. Additionally, for the submarine platform and underwater tech, products designed and produced by more than 30 private sector businesses such as ASELSAN, STM, Gürdesan, Sirena Marine, Arıtaş, MİLSOFT, AYESAŞ and İ-Marine are used.
These submarines, which will eventually replace Deutsche Werft AG’s Type 209 class submarines, known in Turkey as the Ay class, can perform a wide range of missions, including large cargo transport, coastal water operations, and ocean patrols. The Hızır Reis submarine has a length of 68 meters, a height of 13 meters, a surface displacement of 1,690 tons, a maximum speed of 20+ knots, a maximum range of 1250 nautical miles, an operating depth of 260 meters, a crew capacity of 27 personnel, and a mission endurance of 84 days.
These submarines are capable of firing numerous types of torpedoes, missiles, and laying various types of mines and are equipped with weapons capable of engaging underwater, surface, and ground targets. The Turkish submarines, which have eight torpedo tubes, will be outfitted with Roketsan’s AKYA torpedoes, Turkey’s first heavy torpedo, as well as a version of ATMACA anti-ship missiles that can be launched from submarines.