Pressure Hull Test Production Phase Begun
Under the auspices of the Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB), STM Savunma Teknolojileri ve Mühendislik A.Ş. has taken a historic step in Türkiye’s national submarine production effort to “develop the necessary industrial infrastructure for the design and construction of military submarines with national resources.”
Designed entirely by STM engineers using national resources, the STM500 submarine project has entered the pressure hull test production phase. This will mark the first time a private company in Türkiye has manufactured the pressure hull of a military submarine. The STM500 has been designed with due consideration to the needs of allied nations, and will be integrated with the most up-to-date features.
Prof Dr İsmail Demir, President SSB, announced the first stage in STM production on his social media account: “Historic step in our national submarine adventure! We are starting production of the STM500 submarine, which has been designed by Turkish engineers with national resources, with the test production of the pressure hull. The STM500 is designed to operate both in blue waters and brown waters. The STM500 will be equipped with advanced and modern warfare systems, and shall contain the necessary equipment for all tactical functions, such as reconnaissance and surveillance, special forces operations and submarine warfare.”
Özgür Güleryüz, General Manager of STM, added, “As the first engineering company in Türkiye to gain the capacity to build and modernize submarines, we have reached another historic milestone […] I congratulate all of my teammates who have contributed to our STM500 submarine, which has high export potential.”
The STM500 will be equipped with advanced modern warfare systems, and the necessary equipment to satisfy global tactical needs such as reconnaissance and surveillance, special forces operations, and submarine warfare operations. It will be able to perform missions of all kinds for 30 days, with a special forces team of eight in addition to its 18 crew, and will be armed with eight heavy torpedoes and guided missiles, with four ready-to-fire torpedo tubes.
