Turkish Navy’s nuclear submarine programme receives formal designation while the indigenous MILDEN project is already underway.

At the 12th Naval Systems Seminar held in Istanbul, Rear Admiral Timur Yılmaz, Commander of the Submarine Fleet, confirmed that Turkiye’s planned nuclear-powered submarine programme will be named NUKDEN—an abbreviation derived from “nuclear submarine” in Turkish.
The announcement marks a strategic shift from the previously emphasised MILDEN (National Submarine) initiative, placing a greater focus on nuclear propulsion for extended operational reach and deterrent capabilities. Rear Admiral Yılmaz explained that “the security of our nation, our deterrence posture, the extent of our jurisdiction and areas of interest, and the support required for task groups led by our national aircraft carrier necessitate the acquisition of a nuclear submarine.”

Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu, Commander of the Turkish Naval Forces, has previously stated to Warships International Fleet Review during an interview that Turkiye would build a nuclear-powered submarine. Rear Admiral Yılmaz’s declaration suits this interview. 

According to Yılmaz, there are Academic and industrial ecosystem engagement policies to follow.
Yılmaz underlined the involvement of Turkiye’s academic and defence-industrial ecosystem in several key areas to support the development of NUKDEN. These include:
Submarine construction technologies
Propulsion and power transmission systems
Nuclear propulsion systems
Nationalised global combat systems for nuclear submarines, including satellite communication infrastructure
Manned and unmanned underwater platforms
Turkish academic institutions are reportedly contributing to research and development in all of these fields, reflecting the project’s national priority status.

The reactor design is still under evaluation

When asked about the type of reactor to be used onboard NUKDEN submarines, Yılmaz noted that feasibility studies and design evaluations are ongoing. The Naval Forces Journal had previously highlighted Turkiye’s growing interest in molten salt reactors (MSRs) as a potential solution, emphasising their compact structure and suitability for maritime nuclear applications.

Strategic relevance

Turkiye is putting more and more emphasis on blue-water naval capabilities. Therefore, the decision to build a nuclear-powered submarine makes sense. Adding these kinds of assets to a carrier strike group would provide Turkey with more endurance, the ability to strike again, and operational depth in areas of strategic relevance, such as the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.

You may read more about the interview.

Author: Kaan Azman

Editor: Özgür Ekşi