Turkey’s new submarine will be a significant force multiplier—notably in the Aegean Sea, where Ankara is competing with Athens for dominance.
Turkey continues its incredible military buildup and modernization program. Its defense industrial base is likely the most proficient on NATO’s European side. Moreover, Ankara has scrupulously avoided the military quagmires that other great powers have found themselves mired in these last 25 years—allowing it to preserve its strength for the future. Today, as Turkey steps onto the world stage, it has a rapidly advancing indigenous military—married to a grand strategy of regional dominance.
Between their growing airpower, ground-attack capabilities, and now their increasingly sophisticated navy, the Turks are likely to achieve their grand ambitions of becoming the dominant Middle Eastern power over the next 10 to 20 years.
Turkey’s New Reis-class Submarine Illustrates Its Naval Ambitions
Take, for example, Turkey’s Reis-class submarine. Based on the German Type 214 design, this air independent propulsion (AIP) diesel-electric submarine is the pinnacle of Turkish engineering and frugality. Interestingly, Turkey purchased the initial submarine from Germany over strenuous objections from fellow NATO member Greece, as the Greeks and Turks are in an ongoing conflict over dominance in the Aegean Sea.
Turkey’s Reis-class submarine began its life with a simple proposal in 2006, followed by the selection of the Type 214 in 2008. A contract was signed in 2009 with HDW/MFI (now TKMS) and enacted in 2011. There were, of course delays and complications—notably during the COVID-19 pandemic—but the first submarine of its class, the TCG Piri Reis, was laid down in 2015 and launched four years later. It was formally commissioned into the Turkish Navy in August of last year.
The second submarine of this class, the TCG Hzir Reis, began sea trials last year and is slated for commissioning later this year. The third in the class, the TCG Murat Reis, is undergoing outfitting for delivery next year. And there are three more—the TCG Aydin Reis, TCG Selman Reis, TCG Seydi Ali Reis—that are under construction. They will be operational by 2029 and delivered at one-year intervals thereafter.
These submarines are not merely useful in themselves. They will also likely serve as a testbed for future Turkish development of an indigenously produced nuclear-powered submarine force. The lessons learned both from designing this versatile, stealthy submarine will directly apply to the inevitable nuclear-powered submarines Ankara dreams of building for itself.
The Reis-class Submarines’ Specifications
Reis-class submarines can displace 1,860 tons when surfaced and 2,013 tons when submerged. Their hulls, constructed from high-yield stainless steel alloys for corrosion resistance, incorporate fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) in the upper deck and sail to enhance durability. The bow and aft conical bulkhead, critical structural components, are built domestically at Gölcük, marking a significant milestone in Turkey’s already impressive shipbuilding capabilities.
The aforementioned air-independent propulsion system is powered by two 120-kilowatt Siemens polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells and high-capacity batteries. This hybrid propulsion, complemented by a 3,900 kW Siemens Permasyn main engine and two diesel generators, enables the submarines to remain submerged for up to two weeks—compared to just four days for conventional diesel-electric submarines—and conduct operations for 12 weeks without resupply.
Capable of diving below 300 meters and reaching speeds of 20 knots when submerged, the Reis-class can cross the Mediterranean without snorkeling. Notably, this impressive submarine can sail to the United States without refueling, offering unparalleled operational flexibility.
The submarines are equipped with a modular weapon and sensor suite, including the Mk48 Mod 6AT and DM2A4 heavyweight torpedoes, Sub-Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and mines.
The Submarines Are a Boon for Turkey’s Defense Industrial Base
Turkey is integrating multiple indigenous systems, such as the Akya heavyweight torpedo and Atmaca anti-ship missile. It also plans to incorporate the Gezgin cruise missile, a Tomahawk analog still under development. The combat management system onboard the sub was developed by Turkish firms like HAVELSAN and ASELSAN, integrating advanced sensors with the weapons via the ISUS 90-72 interface.
Advanced sonar, satellite communications, floating antennas, and torpedo countermeasures, including the powerful Sea Crypsis system licensed from Ultra Electronics, enhance situational awareness and survivability.
Turkey’s Reis-class submarines are valued at $2.3 billion each. Crucially, they each involve local development deals with around 30 Turkish subcontractors—ASELSAN, HAVELSAN, MilSOFT, STM, and several others. These subcontractors contributed to key systems, like navigation, data management, and multi-link systems.
This high-degree of indigenization, coupled with infrastructure upgrades at Gölcük, has bolstered Turkey’s defense industrial base, with each submarine requiring an estimated 1.5 million man-hours to build.
Where Will Turkey Use the Subs? There’s One Obvious Target…
Turkey’s new submarine will be a significant force multiplier—notably in the Aegean Sea, where Ankara is competing with Athens for dominance. This submarine will also assist Turkey in counterbalancing Russia in the contested Black Sea. The Turkish Navy currently operates 12 diesel-electric submarines—all of which lack AIP capabilities, limiting their effectiveness. But by 2029, the addition of six Reis-class submarines will increase the fleet to 18, with the AIP-equipped vessels offering superior stealth and endurance.
Reis-class subs have low-acoustic, thermal, and magnetic signatures, combined with a quieter hull design, meaning they are formidable assets for covert operations in contested waters. In the Aegean, the Reis-class will counter Greece’s five AIP-capable submarines.
In the Black Sea, meanwhile, the Reis-class strengthens Turkey’s ability to penetrate Russia’s anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) networks. Under the Montreux Convention, which restricts non-Black Sea states from deploying submarines in the region, Turkey’s fleet serves as NATO’s primary underwater counterweight to Russia.
This submarine is a significant addition to Turkey’s growing arsenal. It will upend the strategic balance and likely intensify competition with the Greeks, Russians, and increasingly the Israelis—which is precisely what Ankara wishes to do in order to become the dominant regional power.
And once the Turks get used to these newer submarines, they will then begin building nuclear-powered submarines, putting them in an exclusive club of nations that possess nuclear-powered subs, the consequences of which may not be in America’s interests in the long run. Washington ought to pay close attention.
About the Author: Brandon J. Weichert
Brandon J. Weichert, a Senior National Security Editor at The National Interest as well as a contributor at Popular Mechanics, who consults regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including the Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, the Asia Times, and countless others. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.
Image: Shutterstock / Archaeonavall.
