Turkey’s defense industry is no longer defined solely by its success in unmanned aerial vehicles. In recent years, the country has made significant strides in the naval defense sector, becoming a formidable global player. Turkish shipyards now design and produce advanced surface vessels and submarines that rival those of established European powers — a shift that has begun to unsettle France and Germany, the traditional leaders of the field.

A top executive from the French Naval Group recently voiced his concern, stating: “The Germans transferred too much technology to South Korea and Turkey. Now they are competing with us everywhere.” His statement reflects a growing unease in Europe over Turkey’s ability to blend contractual know-how with domestic innovation to develop a self-sufficient naval ecosystem.

According to Defense and Naval Expert Kozan Selçuk Erkan, the French official’s remarks are the result of long-standing frustration. Erkan recalls how Turkey’s STM (Savunma Teknolojileri Mühendislik ve Ticaret A.Ş.) won the modernization contract for Pakistan’s submarines — a project France once assumed it would secure without competition. “The French underestimated Turkish engineers, thinking we couldn’t complete the modernization. But STM not only delivered, it also enabled the integration of systems from other countries — something the French design didn’t allow,” he explained.

Turkey’s progress doesn’t stop there. The development of the STM-500, a compact and cost-effective submarine designed for smaller navies, marks another milestone. Meanwhile, the Reis-class submarine project, featuring air-independent propulsion and vertical launch missile systems, shows that Turkey is mastering technologies once monopolized by Europe’s giants.

Erkan highlights that while France and Germany have long dominated the conventional submarine market, Turkey’s unique engineering approach — offering interoperability and flexibility — is changing the landscape. Unlike France, which restricts foreign systems on its platforms, Turkey gives partner nations the freedom to integrate their preferred equipment. This openness is winning Ankara new international customers and reshaping naval procurement dynamics.

In summary, Turkey’s determined progress in naval technology has disrupted Europe’s traditional monopoly. With innovation, flexibility, and growing export capabilities, Turkey is positioning itself as a new global force in maritime defense — a development that has clearly given France and others in Europe a “naval headache.”