DATUM AŞ UNVEILS FIRST TURKISH MINI-SUBMARINE AT SAHA EXPO 2026

DATUM AŞ, an Istanbul Technical University (ITU)-based underwater technologies firm, has officially unveiled Turkey’s first indigenous mini-submarine at SAHA Expo 2026. Developed with the support of the Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB), the vessel successfully completed its initial dive tests on April 14, 2026.

The Multi-Purpose Mini Submarine marks a historic milestone as the first submarine project to be certified by Türk Loydu. Featuring a 100% indigenous design and a localization rate exceeding 80%, the project highlights the strength of the Turkish supply chain: with the pressure hull, propulsion system, and the propeller all being manufactured in Turkiye. The submarine’s inaugural unmanned dive was conducted off the coast of Karamürsel, witnessed by SSB officials and Türk Loydu surveyors.

DATUM’s vision for mini-submarine technology extends even further. A top priority for the company which counts several retired submariners among its staff is the completion of its Submarine Rescue Vehicle (SRV). Developed with the profound mission of ensuring a tragedy like the TCG Dumlupınar incident is never repeated, the company aims to deliver the SRV to the Turkish Navy’s Rescue and Underwater Command to safeguard the lives of the nation’s submariners.

Specializing in Seabed Warfare and the Protection of Critical Undersea Infrastructure (CUI) fields whose strategic importance was underscored by the Nord Stream pipeline sabotage in the Baltic Sea the GURNARD Seabed Warfare Mini-Submarine is designed for high-stakes underwater operations. This specialized vessel stands out for its ability to sever undersea cables and deploy Malaman mines at critical pipelines and port facilities.

Designed to meet the operational requirements of the Turkish Navy’s SAT (Underwater Offence) Command, the TRANÇA Combat Mini-Submarine is capable of transporting six SAT commandos in a dry environment over a submerged range of 400 nautical miles, complete with their Diver Propulsion Devices (DPDs). Featuring two heavy-weight torpedo tubes, the vessel is equipped to launch Akya torpedoes and Akata missiles, and can further be configured to deploy up to ten Malaman mines.

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Capable of being transported to the coast by aircraft or truck and deployed via crane, DATUM’s manned and unmanned mini-submarines mirror the dynamics of the drone industry more than traditional shipbuilding. Because they are truck-transportable, they do not need to be built in coastal shipyards; instead, hundreds of units can be mass-produced in parallel at inland facilities. This logistical flexibility allows production to remain uninterrupted in secure or even underground locations, mitigating the risk of coastal shipyard bombardment during wartime.

Experts believe these air-deployable platforms represent a significant force multiplier and a potential game-changer for the Turkish Armed Forces. Furthermore, DATUM’s projects most notably the SİNARİT XLUUV and the TRANÇA Combat Mini-Submarine have already attracted intense interest from international markets, particularly within European Union countries.

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