The Turkish Navy’s third Reis-class submarine, MURATREİS (S-332), conducted its first sea trial on April 20, following the completion of harbour acceptance activities. The development was disclosed during the Turkish Ministry of National Defence’s weekly press briefing on April 22.
According to Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk, Press and Public Relations Advisor and Ministry Spokesperson, the submarine had its national flag hoisted during a ceremony on April 17 before proceeding to sea trials three days later.
MURATREİS is the third platform of the Type-214TN-based Reis-class submarines being built under the New Type Submarine Project (YTDP). Equipped with an Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system, the class is designed to significantly extend submerged endurance while maintaining a low acoustic signature, enabling stealthier and longer-duration operations.
The submarines are approximately 68 metres long, with a submerged displacement of around 2,000 tonnes and a top speed of 20 knots. Each platform is fitted with eight 533 mm torpedo tubes and will deploy AKYA heavyweight torpedoes and Harpoon anti-ship missiles, with integration of indigenous systems such as ATMACA and GEZGİN planned in later phases. With a crew of 27, the class benefits from a high degree of automation, reducing personnel requirements while maintaining operational effectiveness.
Beyond platform capability, MURATREİS marks a notable industrial milestone. It is the first submarine in the programme to incorporate a locally produced Section-50 hull segment, previously supplied by Germany’s TKMS (formerly ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems). The section was manufactured in Türkiye under the engineering coordination of STM, with production carried out at Gürdesan’s facilities in Yalova. This shift reflects a gradual localisation of critical submarine construction capabilities within the domestic industrial base.
The Turkish Navy currently operates 12 submarines across the AY, PREVEZE and GÜR classes. As the older AY-class boats are phased out, the Reis-class is expected to progressively replace them, with all six submarines planned to enter service by 2029. Following TCG PİRİREİS and HIZIRREİS, MURATREİS is the third boat in the class and is expected to be commissioned in 2026.
While the start of sea trials represents a standard step in the delivery timeline, it also serves as a practical test of both platform performance and the growing domestic contribution to submarine construction. The extent to which localisation efforts—such as the Section-50 transition—can be expanded to other critical subsystems will remain a key indicator for the programme’s long-term industrial impact.
Author: Özgür Ekşi
