Turkey wants to modernize its attack submarine fleet. The Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM) has advanced the modernization request for the fleet of attack submarines class Preveze (Type 209/1400): diesel-electric powered submarines produced under license from the German Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werfta. Having announced its will, Turkey is now awaiting the responses of the 'bidders' by 22 July.
The goal of the SSM is to replace the class Preveze starting in 2030 with a class of more advanced submarines to be produced under contract at Turkish shipyards.
Turkish Naval Forces (Türk Deniz Kuvvetleri) currently has 12 Type 209 submarines armed with 14 8-tube 533mm launchable torpedoes, mines and UGM-84 anti-ship missiles Harpoon. The most antiquated, launched between 1976 and 1989, are the 5 Type 209/1200 class Atilay.
The Preveze class (Type 209/1400) that it intends to replace counts 4 boats, launched between 1994 and 1999. The most modern submarines in service in the Turkish Navy are the Type 209/1400 renamed class Gür.
