The MUGEM-class aircraft carrier is an initiative by the Turkish Navy to build a fully indigenous aircraft carrier. "MUGEM" stands for Milli Uçak Gemisi, meaning National Aircraft Carrier.[5][6] The construction of the first MUGEM-class aircraft carrier started on January 2, 2025.[1][2][3]
Development
Plans for constructing a large Turkish aircraft carrier were first announced in April 2023 by the president of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who held talks with companies from Spain and the United Kingdom on the issue.[7] Contrary to earlier assumptions and news reports by the media,[7] it was later revealed that the future aircraft carrier would not be a larger version of the TCG Anadolu, but a completely new design.[4][5][1][3]
On 15 February 2024, the Design and Projects Office of the Turkish Navy announced that it will be a STOBAR aircraft carrier with an overall length of 285 metres (935 ft),[4][5][1][3] beam of 72 metres (236 ft),[4][5][1][3] draught of 10.1 metres (33 ft),[4][5][1][3] and displacement of 60,000 tons.[4][5][1][3] It is to have a COGAG[4][5][1][3] propulsion system and a maximum speed of more than 25 knots (29 mph; 46 km/h).[4][5][1][3] In terms of dimensions (length, beam and draught) it is similar to the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier of the Royal Navy, but has a lower displacement (the type of displacement hasn't been explicitly revealed in the specifications, possibly due to the ongoing evaluation of the aircraft, UCAVs and helicopters to be used, which will determine a more precise estimation for the full load displacement).[4][5][1][3]
On 25 April 2024 new details were released when press was welcomed at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard.[4] A model of the ship was first shown at the 2024 SAHA EXPO, with further details being released, like propulsion, dimensions, and design elements.[4]
The construction of the first MUGEM-class aircraft carrier began on 2 January 2025.[1][2] The first MUGEM-class aircraft carrier is being built at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard.[1][2]
Flight deck
MUGEM is being designed in a STOBAR configuration with a modular ski-jump at the bow. The Turkish defence industry is also underway at developing an indigenous catapult system. With the ski-jump being modular by design, this can be removed and the ship could be reconfigured as a CATOBAR carrier.[4]
Aircraft
The ship is planned to carry several different types of aircraft, both manned and unmanned.[4]
Potential aircraft include:
Construction
The construction of the first MUGEM-class aircraft carrier began on January 2, 2025.[1][2][3]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Turkiye Begins MILDEN, TF-2000, and MUGEM Constructions | TURDEF". turdef.com. 2025-01-02. Retrieved 2025-01-02.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Turkish Naval Ambitions Realized: Construction of MİLDEN Submarine and Carrier Starts". armyrecognition.com. Army Recognition Group - Global Defense News. 3 January 2025.
- ^ "Turkey Releases Plans For Next Aircraft Carrier". The National Interest. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Erdogan claims agreement with Spain on aircraft carrier construction". Nordic Monitor. 11 November 2023.
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