Turkey is eyeing a leap into the elite club of nuclear submarine powers, betting that nuclear propulsion, long the domain of global heavyweights, could transform its navy from a regional actor into a true blue-water force.

The bold goal, recently endorsed by Turkish Naval Forces Commander Adm. Ercument Tatlioglu, signals Ankara’s intent to extend its maritime reach far beyond the Mediterranean. Though dogged by questions and concerns about cost, capability and proliferation, Turkish defense officials and experts believe the groundwork is being laid — from next-generation subs to a budding civilian nuclear program — for what could become the navy’s most daring project yet.

Turkey’s aspirations to build nuclear-powered submarines may seem overly ambitious, but many defense experts view nuclear propulsion — which grants vessels virtually unlimited range — as essential to any navy seeking global reach. Tatlioglu called constructing nuclear-powered submarines “essential for [Turkey’s] vision of being a mid-scale power with global influence” during a two-part interview in the April and May issues of Warships International Fleet Review, a leading UK-based magazine.

Experts who spoke to Al-Monitor argue that despite the overwhelming odds — especially cost, timelines and international concerns over nuclear proliferation — the Turkish Navy’s submarine force may be capable of developing and adopting nuclear propulsion without pursuing nuclear weapons.