'Hidden' giant of Turkey's defense industry: domestic submarine

Turkey's Defense industry to deliver the country's first indigenous submarine to Turkish Armed Forces by 2023; construction of the 'hidden' giant is going at full speed.

After the construction of the Turkish Defense industry's "hidden giant," the new type submarine project (NTSP) that aimed to procure six new Type Submarines which have an Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) System has begun.

Gölcük Naval Shipyard

The project would cost a total of 2.7 billion dollars, to be provided by a domestic fund.

The new type submarines would be capable of producing their own energy automatically using a mechanism of the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen tanks in the underwater giant. This system allows the vehicle to stay under water without atmospheric air for long periods of time.

According to the project, Turkey's domestic submarine can make a round-trip journey from Turkey to the US without refueling.

It can stay as long as 15 days under water.

The national submarine project is supported by Turkey's largest defense companies, including HAVELSAN, ASELSAN, TÜBİTAK, STM AŞ, AYES AŞ, Milsoft, Meteksan Savunma and Koç Bilgi Savunma.

According to Turkey's Undersecretariat of Defense Industries (SSM), the project aims to maximize local content. It also aims to acquire knowledge and experience in submarine construction, integration and systems.