Turkey Launches TCG Piri Reis Submarine, Armed With Missiles And Domestically Made Torpedoes

President Erdogan at the inauguration of Turkey's TCG Piri Reis (S-330) Submarine. (Source: Turkish Ministry of Defense)

JAKARTA - President Recep Tayyip Erdogan inaugurated the operation of TCG Piri Reis (S-330), the first of six planned submarines in the Reis Class equipped with domestically made missiles and torpedoes.

The inauguration took place in Mugla Province last August, with President Erdogan announcing Turkey's plans to increase its naval capabilities with domestic submarine projects.

The submarine, which was first launched in 2019, has a length of 68.35 meters (224.25 feet), with a total of 40 personnel.

"The submarine is the main strategic element of our navy. TCG Piri Reis, which was inaugurated today, is the first submarine of our six submarines to have an independent air propulsion system," President Erdogan said while giving a speech at the opening of the Akyaz Shipyard Command and the handover ceremony. naval platform, reported by the Daily Sabah on October 10.

"Our Reis class submarine is equipped with qualifications that are much more advanced than similar submarines around the world. The Piri Reis submarine is able to operate for a long time without appearing to the surface," he added.

President Erdogan further stressed the need to maintain "strong and effective sealifts" to maintain Turkey's peace and security, both in its territorial waters and in remote areas.

"We recognize that to live peacefully on our land, we must have a strong and effective navy both in our Blue Country and in distant geographic areas," said President Erdogan.

Turkey plans to re-inaudicate two submarines from similar classes in two years to, namely H04z calmer Reis in 2025 and Murat Reis in 2026.

"We will strengthen our navy by inaugurating all submarines in the project in 2029," said President Erdogan, with the construction of the fourth ship TCG Aydin Reis, the fifth ship TCG Seydi Ali Reis and the sixth ship TCG Submarine Reis. continued, citing Navalnews.

He said that TCG Piri Reis would be armed by domestically made weapons, namely Atmaca and Gezgin guided missiles, as well as AKYA torpedoes.

"We intend to equip our national submarines with national systems and devices and fully use them with national weapons," said President Erdogan.