Turkish Navy commissions first Reis-class AIP submarine TCG Piri Reis

The Turkish Navy marked multiple milestones with a major ceremony, highlighted by the commissioning of TCG Piri Reis. At the same event, official sea trials for the second Reis-class submarine, TCG Hizir Reis (S-331), commenced, and the third submarine, TCG Murat Reis (S-332), was docked for fitting. On the same day, the Aksaz Naval Shipyard Command was inaugurated, and the YAKIT 2-3-4 Fuel Ships, along with the world’s largest 3,000-tonne Submarine Dock, were put into service.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attended the ceremony as the chief guest, accompanied by the Turkish Defense Minister and high-ranking officials from the Turkish Navy and defense industry. Speaking on occasion, Recep Tayyip Erdogan underlined the advancements in the Turkish defense industry.

“TCG Piri Reis, which entered service today, is the first of our submarines equipped with six air-independent propulsion systems. To date, over 380 factory, harbor, and sea acceptance tests have been successfully completed on the Piri Reis.” Erdogan said.

“We plan to commission our second submarine, TCG Hizir Reis, in 2025, following the initiation of flag hoisting and sea trials. The TCG Murat Reis, currently undergoing dry dock equipping, is slated for commissioning in 2026. Construction of our fourth submarine, TCG Aydin Reis, as well as the fifth, TCG Seydi Ali Reis, and sixth, TCG Selman Reis, is progressing rapidly. We aim to commission all submarines under this project by 2029.”

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish President

Erdoğan also highlighted the successes of the Reis-class submarine project, emphasizing that these achievements would be beneficial for the development of the national submarine project, MİLDEN.

“This progress has significantly contributed to the development of our national submarine project, MİLDEN. Alongside our own guided missiles, Atmaca and Gezgin, TCG Piri Reis will also be equipped with the AKYA torpedo, which recently demonstrated its effectiveness in a live-fire exercise. Our goal is to outfit our national submarines with entirely indigenous systems and devices, ensuring they are fully armed with domestic weapons.” Erdogan mentioned.

In the speeches delivered by President Erdoğan and the Commander of the Turkish Naval Forces, it was officially confirmed that the Atmaca and Gezgin missiles would be launched from Reis-class submarines. The Atmaca missile, produced by Roketsan, entered the naval forces’ inventory in 2022. While it was known that the Sub-Atmaca project, a submarine-launched version of the missile, was in progress, a model of the encapsulated version was also unveiled at the ceremony.

Another significant announcement concerned the Gezgin missile. Officially referred to as the Turkish Tomahawk in the press, the Gezgin missile will provide the Turkish Navy with deep-strike capability and will be launched from Reis-class submarines. The Gezgin project, which is being developed in secrecy by the Turkish defense industry, is expected to see further advancements in the near future.

Erdoğan also announced that the construction of the TF-2000 air defense destroyer, which will enhance the air defense warfare capabilities of the Turkish Naval Forces, will soon commence at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard Command.

TCG Piri Reis was launched in 2019, floated in the water in March 2021

Importance of the project

The Reis-class submarine project is crucial for the Turkish Navy. These submarines will enhance the submarine fleet’s strength in surrounding seas by featuring AIP capability. The Turkish Navy has a 12-piece submarine fleet consisting of four Ay-class (Type 209/1200), four Preveze-class (Type 209T/1400), and four Gür-class (Type 209T2/1400), all conventionally-powered (diesel-electric) attack submarines. By 2029, Turkey will be operating six Reis-class AIP submarines.

The Reis-class will benefit not only the Turkish Navy but also Turkey’s defense technological and industrial base. The know-how and experience gained from the Reis-class submarine project will be a strong reference for indigenous submarines intended to be built under the National Submarine (MİLDEN) project, which is currently at the design phase and expected to be built in the 2030s. There are many Turkish sub-contractors, including ASELSAN, HAVELSAN, MilSOFT, Defense Technologies Engineering and Trade Inc. (STM), Koç Information and Defense, Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK), and AYESAŞ working on Reis-class submarines’ sub-systems such as navigation and data management system, data link, torpedo countermeasure system, etc.

About Reis-class submarines

The Reis-class submarines feature a single-hull, one-compartment design and an air-independent propulsion system on the proven Howaldswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) fuel cell. The submarines have a length of 68.35 meters, an outer diameter of 6.3 meters, a displacement of 1,850 tons, and a capacity of 40 personnel.

ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems have been building the Reis-class submarines (known initially as Type 214 TN) in Turkey’s Golcuk Naval Shipyard. The AIP system uses fuel cell technology, PEM Fuel Cell (2x120kw), and high-capacity batteries (2×324 units). This provides the submarine with the ability to conduct long-endurance deployments without snorkeling.

The boats will deploy heavyweight torpedoes (MK48 Mod 6AT, DM2A4), anti-ship missiles (Sub-Harpoon), and mines. Indigenous heavyweight torpedo Akya and anti-ship missile Atmaca are expected to be fitted to the submarines during the project. The Reis-class submarine will be able to undertake missions such as littoral water operations to ocean-going patrols, including anti-surface and anti-submarine operations, ISR tasks, and special forces operations. This is mainly thanks to their increased diving depths and their modular weapon and sensor mix.