STM 500
{{Short description|Shallow-water diesel-electric submarine built by Turkish defense company}}
{{Use American English |date=June 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates |date=June 2022}}
The STM 500 is a Turkish modern coastal submarine of the 500-tonne class under construction since 2022. The shallow-water small diesel-electric attack submarine is being built by Turkish defense company STM with completion of the first vessel not expected until 2026. {{as of|2022|06}}, the customer for the project had not yet been publicly released.
History
The STM-500 was announced in 2021 at the 10th Naval Systems Seminar in August 2021 as a lower cost and more cost effective subsurface warfare option.{{cite news |title=Turkey Sells Mini-Submarine STM500 After the Commercial Success of Bayraktar Combat Drones; These Cheaper Weapon Systems Are More Affordable |url=https://www.hngn.com/articles/240299/20220128/turkey-sells-mini-submarine-stm500-commercial-success-bayraktar-combat-drones.htm |last=Forster|first=Ed |work=Headlines & Global News |date=2 January 2022 |access-date=27 June 2022 }} Construction began in 2022. It is expected to require four years to complete construction, and up to six years to fully complete the project.
Description
The STM-500 will displace more than 500 tonnes, have a crew of 18, and be able to transport a squad of 6 special forces personnel. It is being designed to have an endurance of 30 days and a maximum dive depth of more than 200 meters.{{cite news |title=Turkey's STM Begins Construction Of 500-Ton Submarine 'STM500' |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2022/06/turkeys-stm-begins-construction-of-500-ton-submarine-stm500/ |last=Ozberk|first=Tayfun |work=Naval News |date=27 June 2022 |access-date=27 June 2022 }}
;Specifications
Specifications as of 2025 include:{{Cite web |title=www.stm.com.tr |url=https://www.stm.com.tr/en/our-solutions/naval-engineering/submarine-stm-500}}
- Displacement: 623 tonnes surfaced, 700 tonnes submerged
- Length: Overall {{convert|49|m|ft}} , Beam: {{convert|8.5|m|ft}}
- Diameter: {{Convert|4.2|m|ft}}
- Speed: {{convert|5|kn}} cruise, {{convert|18|kn}} max
- Endurance {{convert|3500|NM|disp=flip}} on diesel power {{convert|75|NM|disp=flip}} on batteries
- Propulsion power: {{convert|1.5|MW|hp}}
- Power generation: 2x diesel generator with Lithium-ion battery storage and optional air independent propulsion system
- Crew: 22 + 8 additional space for special forces personnel
Weapons include up to eight "modern heavy-weight torpedoes or guided missiles, delivered via four torpedo tubes. Torpedoes can be fired simultaneously. The submarine will be able to carry and launch underwater drones.
See also
References
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