DATUM Unveils First Turkish Mini-Submarine at SAHA Expo

DATUM Unveils Pioneer Turkish Mini-Submarine

Our Bureau - : May 14, 2026 - : 12:39 am

DATUM AŞ, a prominent underwater technologies firm based at Istanbul Technical University, has officially debuted Turkey’s first indigenous mini-submarine at the SAHA Expo 2026. Developed with the strategic support of the Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB), this Multi-Purpose Mini Submarine successfully concluded its inaugural deep-dive functional tests on 14 April 2026, off the coast of Karamürsel. This project represents a historic milestone as the first submarine initiative to receive certification from Türk Loydu, boasting a localization rate that exceeds 80 per cent. The pressure hull, propeller, and propulsion systems were all manufactured within Turkiye, showcasing the burgeoning strength of the Turkish national supply chain.

Strategic Impact On Indo-Pacific Security

The unveiling of these platforms carries significant implications for the Indo-Pacific region, where the protection of critical undersea infrastructure (CUI) and seabed warfare have become paramount strategic concerns. As regional powers such as China, India, and the United States intensify their underwater surveillance and presence, the introduction of cost-effective, mass-producible mini-submarines offers a new tactical template for middle powers. Analysts suggest that the ability to deploy these vessels via standard cargo trucks or A400M military transport aircraft provides a level of logistical flexibility that traditional shipbuilding cannot match, allowing for rapid deployment across vast maritime territories.

Technological Specifications and Industry Sources

According to the official SAHA 2026 Expo Bulletin provided by DATUM AŞ, the company is simultaneously advancing several specialized platforms, most notably the SİNARİT Modular Payload Extra Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (XLUUV). Described by DATUM Chairman Dr. Münir Cansın Özden as an "underwater pickup truck," the SİNARİT features a 3.8-metre modular "cargo bed" capable of transporting diverse mission payloads covertly. The vehicle is designed to be virtually undetectable by radar or satellite, utilizing ultra-quiet propulsion and a low sonar cross-section to remain nearly impossible to track via sonar during subsea transit.

Advanced Offensive And Defensive Capabilities

The SİNARİT platform can be configured for twelve distinct mission profiles, integrating an array of indigenous Turkish weaponry. Its offensive arsenal includes the capability to launch Baykar drone swarms for coordinated aerial attacks, lay twelve Malaman naval mines, or deploy heavy-weight Akya and light-weight Orka torpedoes. Furthermore, the vehicle can surface to conduct high-level intelligence gathering using Aselsan Mercan electro-optical sensors. For precision strikes against sea, land, or air targets, the platform can be equipped with Roketsan’s Atmaca and Çakır missiles, alongside TÜBİTAK’s Gezgin and Gökdoğan systems.

Specialized Manned Combat And Rescue

In addition to unmanned systems, DATUM has developed the TRANÇA Combat Mini-Submarine, tailored for elite special forces operations. This vessel is designed to transport six SAT (Underwater Offence) commandos in a dry environment over a submerged range of 400 nautical miles, equipped with their Diver Propulsion Devices. For humanitarian and safety purposes, the company is also nearing the completion of its Submarine Rescue Vehicle (SRV). This project aims to ensure that "a tragedy like the TCG Dumlupınar incident is never repeated," providing a vital safeguard for the lives of submariners through the Turkish Navy’s Rescue and Underwater Command.

Future Logistics and Parallel Production

The production model for these mini-submarines mirrors the dynamics of the drone industry, allowing hundreds of units to be mass-produced in parallel at secure inland facilities rather than traditional coastal shipyards. This approach mitigates the risk of coastal bombardment during wartime and ensures production remains uninterrupted in underground locations. These platforms serve as a critical underwater testbed for technologies developed under the National Submarine (MİLDEN) Project. This logistical and technological shift has already attracted intense interest from international markets, positioning these air-deployable platforms as potential game-changers for global naval forces.