Turkey To Modernize Its Gür Class Type-209/1400 Submarines
The Turkish Defense Industry Agency (SSB) signed a contract with the STM-ASELSAN-ASFAT-HAVELSAN business partnership for the Half-Life Modernization of Gür Class Submarines (Type-209/1400) in the Turkish Navy’s inventory. The agreement aims to modernize the navigational, mechanical and communication systems of the 4 Gür Class Submarines (Type-209/1400), which Turkey procured from the German company Howaldtswerke Deutsche Werft AG in 2004, and to extend their service life. The renewal program, for which STM is in charge of system supply and platform integration, is expected to be completed within six years.
In addition to the “Gür-YÖM” project, the Defense Industry Agency (SSB) is working on the half-life modernization of Preveze class submarines, with STM as the main contractor. Local subcontractors such as Aselsan, Havelsan, and ASFAT are also supporting the program, which includes the modernization of TCG PREVEZE (S-353), TCG SAKARYA (S-354), TCG 18 MART (S-355), and TCG ANAFARTALAR (S-356). The program, which began in 2019, includes the renewal of various equipment on Preveze class submarines, including the Inertial Navigation System, Salinity-Depth-Density Measurement System, Floating Antenna, Satellite Communication Mast, Attack and Navigation Periscope System, Emergency Underwater Communication System, Chilled Water System, Static Converter, and Air Refreshment Systems. Submarine modernization endeavors are still underway as part of the program.
In 2014-2015, STM also successfully modernized the Electronic Support, Attack, and Navigation Periscopes and Inertial Navigation Systems of the two Ay class submarines that joined the Turkish Navy in 1983 and 1988.
Özgür Güleryüz, General Manager of STM, stating that STM is undertaking important tasks in the fields of submarine design, construction, and modernization, added: “With our qualified human resources and engineering power, we are carrying out critical works on the submarines of our Navy and our brother countries. As part of the modernization activities, we are continuing our efforts to equip our PREVEZE and GÜR-Class submarines, following the Ay-Class submarines, with the most advanced systems. We hope that the decisions taken and our projects will be beneficial for the Defence Industry Agency, Turkish Naval Forces Command and all our stakeholders. We will continue our operations without interruption to strengthen our Submarine Fleet Command, which is advancing ‘Silently and Deeply’ in the Blue Homeland.”
In addition to modernizing its existing submarines, Turkey will receive six Reis Class (Type 214) submarines as part of the New Type Submarine Project (YTDP) initiated by the Defense Industry Agency (SSB) and Thyssen Krupp Marine Systems (TKMS). STM is additionally working on the STM500, a small diesel-electric attack submarine, and the National Submarine Project (MİLDEN).