Erdoğan: “Working to enhance every branch of the Turkish Army”

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reaffirmed Ankara’s commitment to bolstering Türkiye’s military forces at the commissioning ceremony of the country’s first submarine built under the €2.06 Billion “New Type Submarine Project.”

In an event which marked the commissioning of the Piri Reis Submarine on Aug. 24 in Muğla, Erdoğan said “We are fully aware that to ensure peace within our borders, we must possess a strong and effective military presence not only in our Blue Homeland but also in distant regions.”

“Since 2002, with the motto ‘Strong Turkey, Strong Army,’ we have been relentlessly working to enhance every branch of the Turkish Armed Forces,” he said.

“We have mobilized all our resources to supply the necessary platforms and systems for our Naval Forces,” he said. “Every step we take brings us closer to the powerful military we envision for our nation’s future.”

Erdoğan: “capacity and deterrance of our army”

A significant part of Erdoğan’s speech focused on the expansion and modernization of Türkiye’s naval capabilities, which he identified as a critical component of his broader military strategy.

“Our efforts to strengthen the military are centered on increasing the capacity and deterrence of our army,” Erdoğan said.

Following the ceremony, the Piri Reis submarine, equipped with an Air-Independent Propulsion System, officially entered service.
This vessel is the first of six submarines to be produced under “the New Type Submarine Project.”

The project contract was signed between the SSB and German TKMS Joint Venture in 2009 and entered into force in 2011. It covers the construction of six Type 214TN Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) Submarines with the technical support and technology transfer to be provided by TKMS Joint Venture.

Erdoğan noted that the submarine is designed to operate for extended periods without surfacing and will be armed with Türkiye’s indigenous weapons systems, including the AKYA torpedo.

Remaining submarines to be completed by 2029

Erdoğan announced that Türkiye plans to introduce the remaining submarines by 2029, as part of a broader initiative to expand and modernize the country’s military assets.

He also highlighted ongoing efforts in the MİLDEN project, which aims to build Turkey’s first fully indigenous submarine.

He also announced that the Hızır Reis submarine has begun its flag-raising and sea trials, while the Murat Reis submarine has started its outfitting phase in the dockyard. Additionally, three fuel supply ships and a 3,000-ton submarine floating dock were also commissioned.

“With the completion of these projects, our Navy will achieve superior capabilities, and we will effectively protect our rights and interests in the Blue Homeland and beyond,” Erdoğan stated.