Turkey has officially unveiled its nuclear-powered submarine program, marking a major leap forward in strengthening the strategic capabilities of its naval forces. The program is named NÜKDEN, an abbreviation of the Turkish phrase for “nuclear submarine.”
During the 12th Naval Systems Seminar held in Istanbul, Rear Admiral Timur Yılmaz, Commander of the Submarine Fleet, announced that the program will proceed under the name NÜKDEN.
Why Is Turkey Shifting to Nuclear Propulsion?
Rear Admiral Yılmaz cited key strategic reasons for adopting nuclear-powered submarines:
- Supporting task groups centered around the national aircraft carrier,
- Safeguarding Turkey’s maritime zones and interests,
- Enhancing national deterrence and sustained underwater presence.
He stated, ” The security of our nation, our deterrence posture, and the vastness of our operational areas make this capability essential.”
Reactor Type and Technological Ambitions
The type of reactor to be used has not yet been finalized. However, an analysis published in Naval Forces Magazine noted Turkey’s interest in molten salt reactors (MSRs), known for their compact size and suitability for naval platforms.
Yılmaz emphasized that NÜKDEN is more than just a military project—it is a national development initiative that involves academic, industrial, and R&D collaboration. Key areas targeted for domestic development include:
- Submarine construction technologies
- Propulsion and power transmission systems
- Nuclear propulsion systems
- National combat systems integrated with satellite communication infrastructure
- Manned and unmanned underwater platforms
He noted that Turkish universities and research institutions are actively engaged in research and development across these areas.
The NÜKDEN project is expected to run in parallel with Turkey’s national submarine program, MİLDEN. This synergy is seen as a major turning point for the Turkish defense industry, set to accelerate domestic technological advancement and reduce dependency on foreign systems.
While no official timeline has been announced for the construction or deployment of the first nuclear submarine, the initiative is already progressing rapidly, driven by institutional planning and coordinated national efforts.
