Newsletters
Türkiye will commission Muratreis, the third of its Reis-class air-independent propulsion submarines, this month, while construction of Atilay, the first boat of the national submarine project MILDEN, continues at Golcuk Shipyard, Naval Forces Commander Adm. Ercument Tatlioglu stated.
"We currently have 14 submarines, two of them training submarines. This month, we are commissioning our submarine Muratreis, the third of the Reis-class submarines with air-independent propulsion," Tatlioglu said aboard the frigate TCG Salihreis during the Blue Whale-2026 exercise in the Eastern Mediterranean.
"Construction of the other three Reis-class submarines is also continuing," he added.
MILDEN, under which six submarines are initially planned, is progressing with Atilay’s construction at Golcuk, Tatlioglu said. The navy is also working to add unmanned submarines and unmanned underwater vehicles for different missions, he said.
Turkish submarines are equipped with national weapon systems, and work continues to bring into service the Akya heavy torpedo, submarine-launched Atmaca guided missiles and the Malaman naval mine, the navy chief said.
As surface ships become easier to detect and target, superiority at sea depends on dominating the undersea environment, he said, calling submarines a key force multiplier thanks to their stealth, freedom of movement and striking power.
Anti-submarine warfare has become a multidimensional effort combining manned and unmanned surface, underwater and air assets, the Turkish navy chief said.
Sonobuoy-laying and acoustic signal processing capabilities of Baykar's Bayraktar TB3 and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI)'s Aksungur drones, shown at the TURNAS-26 exercise, were further tested in Blue Whale, including joint operations with submarines.
The Turkish navy aims to use the Orka light torpedo from unmanned surface vessels (USVs) and drones.
"In this way, we aim to conduct anti-submarine warfare without bringing our valuable units into the submarines’ threat area," he said.
Given Türkiye's geography, maritime jurisdiction areas and sea lanes, it needs a strong and deterrent navy, and Turkish Naval Forces are ready for any operation "in the Blue Homeland and beyond," Tatlioglu said.
The biennial anti-submarine warfare exercise, held Nov. 9-20 and hosted by Türkiye for the 10th time, involves more than 4,500 personnel from 12 countries, Submarine Fleet Commander Rear Adm. Ahmet Isci stated.
Türkiye deployed eight submarines, 11 warships, five helicopters, three maritime patrol aircraft, two drones, an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) and three Coast Guard boats.
Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 took part with two Spanish warships and one Greek warship, alongside a U.S. warship and a Pakistani maritime patrol aircraft.
"Over the 140 years since 1886, when the foundations of Turkish submarining were laid, our submarine fleet has become one of the fundamental elements of our navy’s deterrent power," Isci said, adding the fleet’s 13 active submarines rank among NATO’s leading fleets.
"The main aim of the exercise is to improve the knowledge, skills and operational readiness of participating units and commands in anti-submarine warfare," he said.
On the distinguished observer day Friday off Marmaris, a SAT commando team left the submerged Muratreis, retrieved weapons from a capsule and assaulted an island.
A TB3 drone dropped sonobuoys and an SH-70 helicopter used dipping sonar to locate the submarine. A maritime patrol aircraft then dropped a torpedo, and the patrol ship TCG Koycegiz fired an anti-submarine rocket, before a helicopter carried out a medical evacuation.
Turkish defense giant Aselsan also showcased its Derin Goz and Kilic underwater vehicles.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
