IRIA News

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The Turkish Ministry of Defense has officially launched its third Reis-class submarine, the TCG Murat Reis (S-332), during a high-profile ceremony at the Golcuk Naval Shipyard in Kocaeli.

This latest addition to Turkey’s expanding submarine fleet marks a pivotal step in the country’s ambitions to modernize its naval forces and expand its strategic presence in regional waters.

The launch comes at a symbolically potent time for Ankara, coinciding with the 572nd anniversary of the Conquest of Istanbul and the 114th anniversary of the Turkish Air Force, two landmark events in Turkish history that underscore the country’s military heritage and modernization efforts.

Broader Naval Strategy

The TCG Murat Reis is the third vessel in a six-submarine series under Turkey’s Reis-class submarine program, which is based on the German-designed Type 214 diesel-electric submarine platform. The program envisions the annual induction of one submarine until 2028, marking a methodical but accelerated buildup of undersea warfare capabilities.

The launch of the Murat Reis follows two key milestones in the project’s progression: the commissioning of the lead vessel, TCG Piri Reis, and the initiation of sea trials for the second vessel, TCG Hızır Reis, in August 2024. These developments highlight the pace and consistency with which Turkey is advancing its indigenous defense production capabilities with international collaboration.

State-of-the-art specifications

The Reis-class submarines reflect the cutting edge of non-nuclear underwater military technology. Each vessel measures 223 feet in length and accommodates over 30 personnel, designed for flexibility and endurance in modern naval operations.

These submarines are armed with a versatile suite of weaponry, including:

• MK64 lightweight anti-submarine torpedoes
• Aska heavyweight anti-submarine and anti-ship torpedoes
• DM2A4 dual-purpose torpedoes
• Atmaca anti-ship missiles

In terms of propulsion and range, the Reis-class boasts a 5,200-horsepower primary engine, complemented by two diesel generators and two hydrogen fuel cells, enabling air-independent propulsion (AIP). This technology dramatically enhances the submarine’s stealth by allowing it to remain submerged for extended periods without surfacing. It can reach speeds of up to 20 knots, 37 kilometers per hour, and has an impressive range of 22,224 kilometers.

This combination of endurance, firepower, and stealth makes the Reis-class a formidable asset in Turkey’s naval inventory.

Strategic implications

The expansion of the Reis-class submarine fleet comes amid rising geopolitical tensions in surrounding maritime regions, including the Eastern Mediterranean, the Aegean Sea, and the Black Sea. Turkey’s investment in submarines is widely viewed as a response to regional maritime competition and an assertion of sovereignty over contested waters and energy resources.

While Turkish officials have framed the submarine program as a defensive necessity and a boost to national security, defense analysts see broader implications.

The submarines also enhance Turkey’s blue-water navy ambitions, expanding its ability to project power beyond immediate coastal zones into more contested global maritime domains. The inclusion of the Atmaca anti-ship missile, a domestically produced weapon, in the Reis-class loadout reflects Turkey’s ongoing push to reduce foreign dependency and increase self-sufficiency in defense technology.

Indigenous capability with international collaboration

The Reis-class program, while based on the German Type 214 design, is notable for its integration of local Turkish defense industry components. Turkish defense firms, including STM (Savunma Teknolojileri Muhendislik), ASELSAN, and HAVELSAN, have contributed to various subsystems such as combat management systems, sonar integration, and communications.

This hybrid approach allows Turkey to benefit from proven German engineering while nurturing its domestic industrial base, a strategy consistent with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s vision of achieving full independence in defense manufacturing.

Symbolic Importance

Launching the TCG Murat Reis on the anniversary of the Conquest of Istanbul (1453), a defining event in Turkish and world history, added a layer of nationalistic fervor to the occasion. It also coincides with the commemoration of the Turkish Air Force, which underscores Turkey’s inter-branch military development efforts.

By pairing the submarine launch with such symbolic dates, the Turkish government highlights its message of national resilience, technological progress, and military readiness.

“This launch represents the strength of our nation and the determination of our people to protect our sovereignty,” said a Ministry of Defense spokesperson at the ceremony. “The Murat Reis, like her namesake, will serve as a sentinel of Turkish waters and a symbol of our maritime might.”

With three of six vessels either launched or in trials, the Reis-class submarine project is well on track to meet its 2028 goal. If the current pace holds, Turkey will soon operate one of the most modern and versatile non-nuclear submarine fleets in the region.

The continuation of this program raises broader questions about how regional actors, particularly Greece, Israel, and Egypt, as well as NATO partners like the United States and Germany, will adjust to Turkey’s growing undersea presence.