SAHA 2026: Turkey markets modular undersea systems to European buyers
The Multi-Purpose Mini Submarine, certified by Türk Loydu, successfully finished its initial uncrewed dive tests off the coast of Karamürsel in April 2026. (Photo: Datum AŞ)
Turkey’s defence industry is pushing a class of platform and building an entire philosophy of cost-imposition around it.
At SAHA 2026 in Istanbul, the cumulative weight of Turkey’s subsurface announcements pointed in a clear direction: cheap ways to combat expensive things at sea, delivered from platforms small enough to move by truck.
The clearest expression of that came not from one of Turkey’s established primes, but from Datum AŞ, an Istanbul Technical University-partnered underwater technologies firm which unveiled Turkey’s first indigenous mini-submarine at the show.
The Multi-Purpose Mini Submarine, which completed its initial uncrewed dive tests off the coast of Karamürsel on 14 April 2026, is certified by Türk Loydu and carries a localisation rate exceeding 80%. Its
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Seoul’s SSN programme launch raises questions on fuel, tech and build location]()
Seoul’s SSN programme launch raises questions on fuel, tech and build location
Seoul has unveiled its “Jangbogo-N Project” to develop domestically built, nuclear-propelled attack submarines in close coordination with Washington, marking an escalation of the Republic of Korea’s deterrence posture against Pyongyang’s undersea nuclear capabilities.
-
![Tokyo’s naval export drive gains strategic depth in Southeast Asia]()
Tokyo’s naval export drive gains strategic depth in Southeast Asia
Indonesia’s consideration of Mogami-class frigates points to a widening export opportunity for Tokyo across Southeast Asia and raises the prospect of the Mogami becoming the region’s default mid-tier surface combatant.
-
![Frigates and submarines anchor Brazilian naval modernisation worth US$5.52 billion]()
Frigates and submarines anchor Brazilian naval modernisation worth US$5.52 billion
Shipbuilding programmes established over the past decade are setting Brazil's course towards having one of the most modern navies in the region.
-
![Subsea surveillance: why connecting military and civilian assets could be crucial]()
Subsea surveillance: why connecting military and civilian assets could be crucial
As costs rise and threats multiply, maritime awareness is shifting from platforms to networks, and civilian infrastructure plays a central role.
