Turkey, with help from Germany, to become ‘submarine manufacturer’

Special to World Tribune

INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING

ANKARA — Turkey has launched a project to produce an advanced naval submarine.

Turkey’s Defense Ministry and Navy have been working with Germany in the coproduction of four electric-diesel submarines. The coproduction effort has taken place with Germany’s ThyssenKrupp for the Type 214 submarine.

“This is a huge project that will make Turkey into a submarine manufacturer,” an official said.

The submarine project was expected to cost about $2.5 billion. Officials said the first platform could be delivered to the Navy in 2015.

The Navy has been building three of the submarines in Turkey. Officials said Turkey would also help design electronic subsystems for the underwater platforms.

Turkey has been engaged in several major naval projects. One called for the assembly of up to 11 small frigates in a project estimated at $2 billion.

http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2010/me_turkey0873_09_08.asp. September 8, 2010