TKMS Hands Over Second Reis-class Submarine to Turkish Navy

On November 27, 2025, German shipbuilder TKMS announced the delivery of the second Reis-class (Type-214TN) air independent propulsion (AIP) capable submarine to the Turkish Navy.

TKMS press release

TKMS handed over the second of a total of six contractually agreed HDW Class NTSP boats in a festive ceremony. The TCG Hızırreis was handed over by the GNSY (Gölcük Naval Shipyard) to the procurement authority SSB (Savunma Sanayii Başkanlığı) and simultaneously from there to the Turkish Navy. The first boat was handed over in October 2024. 

Representatives of the SSB, the GNSY shipyard, the Turkish Navy, and TKMS attended the signing ceremony. Christian Rogge, EVP Submarines at TKMS, is satisfied: “All parties involved have shown a high level of commitment and willingness to cooperate since the start of the project – this is the only way to realize projects of this scope within the set time and cost framework. The handover now underscores the good partnership between TKMS, GNSY, and the Turkish Navy.”

As part of the cooperation between TKMS and the Turkish Navy, TKMS is responsible for the design, delivery of all materials, and supervision of the construction and testing phase. This will be followed by an 18-month warranty period.

Project manager Bernd Krekeler: “I would like to express my sincere thanks to the entire team for reaching this milestone – especially the project teams in Kiel and Gölcük. Whether in engineering, production, purchasing or IT, the experience gained from building the first boat, as well as the commitment and individual expertise of each and every one of us, means that we are right on track with the project. The handover of the second boat is a strong sign of this.”

Production of the four other boats is already underway and at various stages in the project process. According to the schedule of the state-owned shipyard GNSY, delivery of the third boat is planned in about a year.

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Reis-class submarine project

The Reis-class submarine project is crucial for the Turkish Navy. These submarines will enhance the submarine fleet’s strength in surrounding seas by featuring AIP capability. The Turkish Navy has a 13-piece submarine fleet consisting of four Ay-class (Type 209/1200), four Preveze-class (Type 209T/1400), four Gür-class (Type 209T2/1400), and one Reis-class (Type-214TN), all conventionally-powered (diesel-electric) attack submarines. By 2028, Türkiye will be operating six Reis-class AIP submarines.

The Reis-class will benefit not only the Turkish Navy but also Turkey’s defense technological and industrial base. The know-how and experience gained from the project will be a strong reference for indigenous submarines intended to be built under the National Submarine (MİLDEN) project, which is currently at the design phase and expected to be built in the 2030s. There are many Turkish sub-contractors, including ASELSAN, HAVELSAN, MilSOFT, Defense Technologies Engineering and Trade Inc. (STM), Koç Information and Defense, Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK), and AYESAŞ working on Reis-class submarines’ sub-systems such as navigation and data management system, data link, torpedo countermeasure system, etc.

The Reis-class submarines feature a single-hull, one-compartment design and an air-independent propulsion system on the proven Howaldswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) fuel cell. The submarines have a length of 68.35 meters, an outer diameter of 6.3 meters, a displacement of 1,850 tons, and a capacity of 40 personnel.

ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems have been building the Reis-class submarines (known initially as Type 214 TN) in Turkey’s Golcuk Shipyard. The AIP system uses fuel cell technology, PEM Fuel Cell (2x120kw), and high-capacity batteries (2×324 units). This provides the submarine with the ability to conduct long-endurance deployments without snorkeling.

The boats will deploy heavyweight torpedoes (ROKETSAN AKYA, MK48 Mod 6AT and DM2A4), anti-ship missiles (SUB-ATMACA, SUB-Harpoon), and mines. Indigenous heavyweight torpedo Akya and anti-ship missile Atmaca are announced to be fitted to the submarines of the project. The submarine will be able to undertake missions such as littoral water operations to ocean-going patrols, including anti-surface and anti-submarine operations, ISR tasks, and special forces operations. This is mainly thanks to their increased diving depths and their modular weapon and sensor mix.