Turkey Commissions Advanced ‘Reis Class’ Diesel-Electric Attack Submarine!

By-Sherazur Rahman Turkey’s navy has recently commissioned a state-of-the-art ‘Reis Class’ diesel-electric attack submarine. The lead vessel of this class, TCG Piri Reis (S-330), was developed using Turkey’s indigenous technology combined with advanced German systems. After nearly three years of rigorous sea trials starting in 2021, TCG Piri Reis was officially commissioned on August 24, 2024, and has since begun operational naval combat duties. The submarine was constructed at Turkey’s Gölcük Naval Shipyard, modeled on Germany’s Type 214 design. It is named after the renowned 16th-century Ottoman admiral and cartographer Piri Reis — famous for his 1513 world map and the Kitab-ı Bahriye (Book of the Sea) — this submarine honors a historic figure whose legacy remains significant in naval history. A key feature of the Reis Class submarine is its Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system supplied by Germany. This technology enables the submarine to remain submerged quietly for extended periods without the need to surface, significantly enhancing stealth and operational endurance. The project began in 2009 with a contract valued at 2.06 billion euros (approximately 2.22 billion USD) between Turkey and the German HDW company. Six submarines are planned in total: two — TCG Piri Reis and TCG Hızır Reis — are complete, and four more are under construction. Weighing 1,850 tons and measuring 68.35 meters in length and 6.3 meters in width, the submarine operates with a crew of 40 officers and sailors. It boasts an impressive operational range of about 12,000 nautical miles and can dive up to 300 meters deep, making it highly capable for diverse naval missions. Equipped with modern armaments such as MK-48 Mod 6AT heavyweight torpedoes, DM2A4 torpedoes, and Harpoon anti-ship missiles, the Reis Class can also deploy naval mines. It can operate underwater for up to 12 weeks without surfacing for supplies, providing strategic advantages in prolonged missions. Currently, Turkey’s navy operates 13 conventional diesel-electric submarines, including 4 Atılay Class, 4 Preveze Class, 4 Gür Class, and 1 advanced Reis Class submarine. By 2027, with the addition of six more Reis Class submarines, the total fleet will increase to 18, significantly boosting Turkey’s underwater combat capabilities. Conclusion: The commissioning of the Reis Class submarine is a major milestone in Turkey’s naval modernization, combining local innovation with trusted German technology. It boosts Turkey’s underwater combat capabilities and reflects the country’s goal of a strong, self-reliant defense industry. As more submarines join, the Reis Class will be vital in protecting Turkey’s maritime interests and projecting power regionally. Source: Anadolu, Wikipedia, The Daily Shabha. Author: Sherazur Rahman, Teacher & Science Writer, Singra, Natore, Bangladesh. Email: sherazbd@gmail.com (This article was written and edited with support from AI tools to ensure clarity and global readability.)