According to a PR published by STM on February 6, 2023, Gölcük Naval Shipyard has taken delivery of the final "Torpedo Section" – the bow section of submarines that houses the torpedo tubes – in the Reis-Class submarine program, having been produced for the first time in Türkiye using national means under the coordination of STM. The Section 50 component will be integrated into TCG Selmanreis.
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Torpedo Section of the Reis class submarine TCG Selmanreis. (Picture source: STM)
Another critical stage has been reached in the Turkish Navy New Type Submarine Project, launched by the Defence Industry Agency (SSB). The know-how required to manufacture the "Section 50" bow section that houses the torpedo tubes (main armaments) of the submarine, is possessed by only a few countries around the world.
The fourth and final batch delivery of the "Torpedo Section" was concluded successfully after being produced for the first time in Türkiye with Turkish engineering under the coordination of STM by Gürdesan Gemi Makinaları Sanayii Ticaret A.Ş. through indigenous and national means.
One "Torpedo Section" produced for Reis-class submarines was delivered to Gölcük Naval Shipyard by sea. The fourth and last Torpedo Section to be produced in Türkiye will be integrated into TCG Selmanreis, the final submarine in the project, at Gölcük Naval Shipyard.
STM and Gürdesan completed the delivery of the first Torpedo Section to be integrated into TCG Muratreis in September 2021, and the second and third deliveries to be integrated into TCG Aydinreis and TCG Seydialireis in July 2022.
Firing capability of 8 torpedoes/guided missiles
The Torpedo Section is the most critical part of Reis-class submarines, which will be the most modern submarine platforms in the inventory of the Turkish Navy.
The sections house the main armaments and systems of the submarine, allowing the firing of torpedoes and/or guided missiles. The Torpedo Section produced allows Reis-class submarines to be armed with eight 533mm torpedo tubes.
The delivery of six Reis-class submarines is planned under the project. The section containing the torpedo tubes of the first two submarines was manufactured by the German ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), who is the main contractor in the project.
The Torpedo Sections to be fitted to the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th submarines are being produced for the first time in Türkiye by the Gürdesan Company, with STM as the main subcontractor.
STM's critical role in Reis-class submarines
STM is undertaking key roles in the production of Reis-class submarines. Having put its design competence and experience on the table for NTSP, STM is now handling the entire coordination of the project within the scope of the Torpedo Section.
Expert teams at STM are taking care of the construction plans, checking their assembly, getting them ready for delivery and keeping track of the delivery stages.
Aside from the torpedo section, STM is also carrying out the design, engineering and system integration activities for the NTSP. Contributing to the indigenisation efforts related to the construction materials of the ship and the installed devices/systems, STM is ensuring also the domestic production of submarine non-pressure tight hull blocks and various GRP (Composite Submarine Superstructure) units.
Turkish Navy New Type Submarine Project
Aiming to meet a requirement of the Turkish Navy, six Reis-class submarines meeting the criteria of the Submarine Operations Concept are being constructed with the maximum participation of Turkish industry at Gölcük Naval Shipyard.
The intention in the Turkish Navy New Type Submarine Project is to commission six submarines with air-independent propulsion systems, capable of launching many types of torpedoes and missiles as well as laying mines, and equipped with armaments for engaging with underwater, surface and land targets.
The first submarine is planned to be in service this year. Equipped with an Air-Independent Propulsion System (AIP), Reis-class submarines will have the ability to remain underwater for weeks at a time without surfacing.
These submarines, which boast low-noise navigation capabilities, will be able to operate covertly for long periods. The submarines are 68 meters in length, weigh over 2,000 tons, and have a crew of 40.
The first submarine in the project, TCG Pirireis, was built in Gölcük Naval Shipyard and was launched in March 2021. TCG PİRİREİS began its sea trials in December 2022.
Under the project, a ceremony was held on May 23, 2022 for transferring of TCG HIZIRREİS to floating dock and for the First Welding of TCG SELMANREİS with the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The names of the Reis-class submarines that will serve Turkish Naval Forces Command are as follows: TCG Pirireis, TCG Hizirreis, TCG Muratreis, TCG Aydinreis, TCG Seydialireis, and TCG Selmanreis.
