ISTANBUL, Dec 23 (NNN-ANADOLU) – Turkey’s first home-made submarine was taken into pool, to continue its construction in the northwestern province of Kocaeli.
The building of TCG Piri Reis started four years ago, under the new-type submarine project of the Turkish Naval Forces, with a view to increasing the capabilities of the Turkish defence industry.
Defence Turkey, an online news portal supported by Turkey’s Presidency of Defence Industries, said, the submarine will be capable of “generating power through the fuel cell system, as a result of hydrogen and oxygen tanks’ reaction. It will be able to remain underwater for 14 days, without atmospheric air.”
Speaking at the ceremony, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, a total of six submarines shall be built under the project, and all will be operational by 2027, with Piri Reis in service as of 2022.
Erdogan also noted that Greece and its partner countries have been trying to block Turkey’s sea access, but his country would continue to protect its rights in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, through the maritime deal signed with Libya.
“If necessary, we might raise the level of our military support to Libya,” he said.
Erdogan earlier voiced Turkey’s readiness to send troops to Libya, if the internationally-recognised government would make such a request.
