Türkiye enriches naval fleet with new Reis-class submarine and naval platforms

December 23, 2025, by Fatima Bahtić

Türkiye has enriched its naval fleet with the induction of a new submarine and naval platforms at a ceremony in Istanbul, highlighting both technological progress and the growing role of domestic industry in naval defense.

President of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, delivered a speech at the event held at the Istanbul Shipyard Command. During the ceremony, several naval platforms were commissioned. Among them was the second Reis-class submarine TCG Hızırreis, which features an air-independent propulsion system and advanced sonar capabilities. The unit was delivered to the Turkish Navy last month.

TCG Hızırreis was handed over by the Gölcük Naval Shipyard (GNSY), while German shipbuilding major TKMS is responsible for design, material supply, and supervision of construction and the testing phase.

Turkish Navy welcomes second Reis-class submarine

Vessels

Type 214 submarines are export versions of the Type 212 submarine in service with the navies of Italy and Germany, and Norway, and are built or operated by the navies of Greece, the Republic of Korea, Portugal, and Turkey. The vessels are approximately 68.5 meters long and can reach a speed of 20 knots while submerged. Six boats are planned for the Turkish Navy.

The C159 new-type landing craft, built for both challenging maritime operations and humanitarian missions, was also commissioned. Additionally, the ULAQ armed unmanned surface vessel, a symbol of Türkiye’s advancements in autonomous and AI-enabled naval systems, was unveiled. Erdoğan noted that ULAQ is powered by a domestically developed engine with a localization rate of 90 percent.

The president further announced that the patrol vessel TCG Koçhisar will join the Turkish Navy by the end of May, describing it as a symbol of Türkiye’s determination to protect its rights and interests at sea. In addition, the first steel-cutting ceremony was held for the offshore patrol vessel Seferihisar.

Addressing Türkiye’s broader defense strategy, President Erdoğan underlined that the goal is not only to develop platforms but also to strengthen the entire defense ecosystem, including human capital and technological capacity. He stressed that effective deterrence requires strength on land, in the air, and at sea, noting that Türkiye continues to advance simultaneously in all domains.

Furthermore, Türkiye delivered another Milgem-class corvette to the Pakistan Navy, PNS Hayber, after successfully completing sea trials. The first ship, PNS Babür, was delivered in May 2024.

PNS Bedir is scheduled for delivery by the end of June 2026, and PNS Tarık in the first quarter of 2027, with the fourth vessel under construction at the Karachi Shipyard.

The contract for four Milgem-class corvettes for the Pakistan Navy was signed in 2018. Under the contract, two ships were to be constructed at Istanbul Naval Shipyard and the other two at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works.

Emphasizing the enduring bond between the two countries, President Erdoğan said that the friendship between Türkiye and Pakistan, rooted in shared history and solidarity, would continue to grow stronger in the future.

President Erdoğan added that Türkiye currently ranks 11th globally in defense exports, with defense and aerospace exports reaching $8.6 billion so far this year. He reaffirmed the target of entering the global top 10 by 2028, with exports of $11 billion.

He also noted that Türkiye is among a limited number of countries capable of designing, building, and launching its own warships, and that Turkish shipyards have exported more than 140 naval platforms worldwide.