Turkey to launch national aircraft carrier MUGEM in 2027

Turkey is advancing the development of its first national aircraft carrier, MUGEM, which is scheduled to be launched on September 27, 2027. The vessel is designed to be a significant upgrade in maritime capability, with a planned full load displacement exceeding 60,000 tons. This makes it substantially larger than the TCG Anadolu, with dimensions estimated at 285 meters in length and 72 meters in width.

A defining feature of MUGEM is its integration of unmanned systems. Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu stated that the platform will be capable of operating unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), such as the KIZILELMA and ANKA-3, alongside unmanned surface and underwater vehicles. This multi-domain capability is intended to make Turkey one of the first nations to utilize an aircraft carrier that simultaneously manages unmanned air, sea, and sub-surface platforms.

The project aims for a domestic content rate of over 80 percent, incorporating Turkish-developed radar, electronic warfare, and various weapon systems. The carrier is expected to have a capacity for up to 52 aircraft.