Savunma Teknolojileri Mühendislik ve Ticaret (STM), a defence company in Türkiye, has completed the test section production of the pressure hull for the STM500 submarine project. 

STM500 is said to be Türkiye's first domestically designed submarine for special operations and attack missions. 

STM500's pressure hull production began in June 2022 at TEKFEN's facilities. The latest milestone includes all quality testing processes in 2023. 

Engineered by STM's team, STM500 subamrine is set to feature warfare systems to meet global tactical demands in reconnaissance, surveillance, and submarine warfare. 

Designed to carry a crew of 22 and an eight-person Special Forces team, the STM500 can undertake various missions for up to 30 days, diving beyond 200m.  

Its armament includes eight heavy-weight torpedoes and guided missiles, with four torpedo tubes ready for immediate launch. 

With a length of 49 metres (m), a beam of 4.6m, and a submerged displacement of 700 million tonnes, the STM500 offers a patrol speed of five knots and a maximum speed of 18 knots when submerged.  

An optional air-independent propulsion system can be installed to enhance its underwater endurance. 

STM general manager Özgür Güleryüz said: “We set out to design a national submarine as a result of the experience acquired from the construction and modernisation projects that we have carried out for the Navies of Türkiye and Pakistan.  

“By means of our innovative R&D approach and our own resources, we have been able to design the STM500, the first special operations and attack national submarine in our country. We then rolled up our sleeves to start working on the design and production of the pressure hull of the submarine, described as the outer surface by the civilian industry, which is something never before attempted in Türkiye.” 

The SAHA EXPO Fair, which is being held from 24 to 26 October 2024, is showcasing the domestically produced submarine pressure hull.