Turkiye commissions first Reis-class submarine

THE Turkish Naval Forces commissioned the first Type-214TN Reis-class air-independent propulsion (AIP) diesel-electric submarine on August 24. The lead vessel in the class, TCG Piri Reis was formally inducted into service at a ceremony at Aksaz Naval Base with the republic’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan in attendance as the chief guest and accompanied by the defence minister and top leadership of the Navy and defence 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”, the president said.

Erdogan added that the second Reis submarine, TCG Hizir Reis is scheduled for commission in 2025 with official sea trials for the vessel kicking off at the same ceremony. Additionally, the third submarine, TCG Murat Reis is currently in dry dock for fitting, with its commissioning slated for 2026.

Construction for the fourth, fifth and sixth vessels, TCG Aydin Reis, Seydi Ali Reis, and Selman Reis respectively have been progressing well, with the induction of all submarines in the class anticipated to be completed by 2029.

The Reis-class would be armed with ATMACA cruise missiles from Turkiye’s Roketsan while the GEZGIN which is still in development will add on to the submarine’s firepower. Furthermore, the AKYA torpedoes are a part of the submarine’s armaments, coming off its recent successful launch during a live-fire exercise.

The submarines are a substantial advancement in Turkiye’s naval capacity, the result of a joint effort between the Defence Industry Agency (SSB) and ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). Based on the German Type 214 submarine designs, its proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell-equipped AIP system provides the ability to operate underwater for up to three weeks depending on operational conditions without having to surface.The project has also contributed considerably to the nation’s national submarine project, MILDEN.

Erdogan further added that construction works on the Navy’s TF-2000 air-defence destroyer is set to begin at Istanbul Naval Shipyard soon. “It will provide tiered air defence for our country from the sea and ensure the protection of our critical assets such as TCG Anadolu and the national aircraft carrier against air threats”.-shp/adj/dl (Pix:Turkiye MND)