Türkiye Intends to Build a Nuclear Submarine

In early May 2025, Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu announced Türkiye’s intentions of building a nuclear submarine under the MILDEN project. The MILDEN project, derived from the words “milli” and “denizaltı” meaning national and submarine, respectively, aims to produce high-technology maritime equipment like submarines with the hopes of being commissioned by the Turkish navy as early as the 2030s. The project is hopeful of projecting more power on a global scale and joining a highly exclusive group of other countries that also possess nuclear submarines. These countries include the US, China, the UK, and Russia.

MILDEN Submarine Design. Credits: Naval News

The arrangements for the MILDEN project initially began in early 2024, with plans to build the country's first indigenous submarine and cut the dependence on foreign naval infrastructure. The submarine is expected to be over 80 metres in length and have a surface displacement of over 2,700 tons. It will also be equipped with specialized AIP systems (Air-Independent Propulsion) to increase its endurance underwater, have more surreptitious underwater maneuvering, and contain powerful foreign weaponry. Currently, the welding process of the submarine has been completed (early 2025) at the Gölcük Naval Shipyard, with the full completion estimated to be in the early 2030s.

The confirmed nuclear submarine is an addition to the ongoing submarine plans under the MILDEN objective. The declaration for the new incentive was outlined in an interview with Warships International Fleet Review, where Tatlıoğlu stated, “We will also take a crucial step towards constructing nuclear-powered submarines, essential for our long-term submarine deterrence capability and vision of being a mid-scale power with global influence”.

Credits: Defence Security Asia

Possessing such powerful maritime technology will have significant benefits for Türkiye’s navy. For example, nuclear-powered submarines differ from regular ones significantly in terms of underwater endurance. Conventional submarines must be refueled approximately every couple of weeks or months, as they utilize diesel energy to charge the batteries, which keep the submarine operating underwater. This can risk the protection of the submarine during naval warfare. However, with the use of nuclear power, the submarines don’t have to be refueled for 20-30 years. Thus, they can remain concealed underwater for months. This allows for more protection and increased range in international bodies of water. Nuclear-powered submarines can also function faster and more efficiently compared to conventional submarines. All of these factors provide strong strategic advantages.

Although Türkiye’s attempt poses many benefits to the country, there are also bold challenges that remain. Firstly, the building of such prominent technology requires comprehensive knowledge, skills, and technical materials beforehand, which the country currently doesn’t have. These include naval-grade reactor technology, radiation safety tools, and a highly trained workforce. Without these aspects, the submarine will be very lacking and nearly impossible to achieve. Türkiye also doesn’t possess personnel who have the comprehensive skills needed to engineer such machinery. The ongoing brain drain has been detrimental to most technological advancements in the country. Lastly, each distinct part of the process requires significant funds and financial sacrifices. All of the materials, research, and development will cost billions of dollars, a sum that the country likely cannot sacrifice for the mission without immense opportunity costs and a balance in spending.

Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant project design. Credits: NS Energy

The nuclear submarine goals also go hand in hand with Türkiye’s other nuclear power initiatives. This includes the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant around Mersin Province, which is under construction by Russia’s Rosatom. Rosatom is utilizing the BOO model (Build-Own-Operate) hence allowing for public-private ownership of the power plant, which once completed, will be used to provide around 10% of Türkiye’s total electricity demand. The building of the power plant began in 2018 and will be finished by 2028.

Although the nuclear submarine is an aspiring goal for Türkiye, given the current status, the motivations for potentially expanding maritime technology research and development are a prominent positive step for the future. It possesses significant advantages for the country and its influence worldwide. The challenge lies in finding a balance where scientific discovery can be pursued without compromising other projects and economic well-being.

Edited by: Yağmur Ece Nisanoğlu, Derya Yener