Domestic Submarine Completed In 6 Months, President Erdogan: Capable Of Launching Various Types Of Torpedoes, Missiles And Mines

President Erdogan with the background of Turkey's first domestically made submarine. (Source: Presidency of The Republic of Turkiye)

JAKARTA - President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expects Turkey to be able to complete and deliver a domestically made submarine to the Turkish Naval Command within the next five to six months.

Speaking at the docking of the Hızr Reis submarine and the first welding of the Selman Reis submarine at the Gölcük Shipyard Command in northwestern Kocaeli Province, the President said Turkey aims to service a new domestically made submarine every year, to ensure that the navy has six new submarines in 2027.

"Our submarines, which weigh 1,856 tonnes above the water and 2,042 tonnes when submerged, can reach depths of more than 300 meters. Our submarines, which can operate for three days underwater, can stay in the water for 12 weeks without the need for re-supply," he explained, as reported by the Daily Sabah on May 23.

"The submarine, which is equipped with effective weapons against the underwater, surface, and land targets, has the capability to launch various types of torpedoes, missiles, and mines," he explained.

"We are also integrating our national torpedo Akya and our national anti-ship missile Atmaca into our submarines with air-independent propulsion capabilities," President Erdogan said.

President Erdogan with the background of Turkey's first domestically made submarine. (Source: Presidency of The Republic of Turkiye)

President Erdogan further added, that the submarine Hızır Reis will enter service in 2023 and Selman Reis in 2027.

"Starting this year, we will put one of our submarines into service every year, and we will add six new types of submarines to our navy until 2027," he explained.

"We have realized many projects that will make our navy stronger and stronger for the security of the Blue Motherland."

"Nearly 30 of our domestic companies have taken responsibility for this critical project with their design and production for submarine platforms and subsea technology. In addition, many of our other companies contribute as subcontractors to our submarine production process," he said.

"I thank you on behalf of myself and my nation all who have contributed to the production of these submarines that will add to our strength at sea."

President Erdogan at the Gölcük Shipyard Command. (Source: Presidency of The Republic of Turkiye)

Not only that, but President Erdogan also highlighted the recent improvement in Turkey's defense industry, saying that dependence on external sources had been minimized.

The president also added that Turkey's preparations for its domestically designed submarine, MILGEM, which is expected to be built with mostly domestically developed systems are also continuing.

"We will start building MILGEM in 2025 at the Gölcük Shipyard," he said.

The MILGEM (National Ship) marine platform project is a Turkish warship program that aims to develop multipurpose corvettes and frigates that can be used in various missions.

These include reconnaissance, surveillance, early warning, anti-submarine warfare, surface-to-surface and surface-to-air warfare, and amphibious operations.