Türkiye Reveals locally made Massive MUGEM Aircraft Carrier at SAHA EXPO 2024.

At SAHA EXPO 2024, Türkiye made a significant stride in naval power by unveiling the "Milli Uçak Gemisi" (MUGEM), a revolutionary aircraft carrier set to be the largest warship in the country's history. This 285-meter-long, 60,000-ton vessel surpasses the capabilities of its predecessor, TCG Anadolu, positioning Türkiye among the leading nations in modern naval warfare technology.
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First model of the Turkish built MUGEM aircraft carrier at SAHA EXPO 2024. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

MUGEM boasts impressive specifications, including a maximum speed of 25 knots and a range of 10,000 nautical miles, making it a formidable force in both regional and global operations. Designed to accommodate a range of manned and unmanned aircraft, MUGEM can deploy 50 aerial platforms, including the Bayraktar TB3, ANKA 3, KIZILELMA unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and the advanced HÜRJET fighter jet. Of these, 30 aircraft can be stored in its hangar, while 20 are positioned on the flight deck, a number that could be increased if necessary.

The vessel’s STOBAR (Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) system allows for efficient aircraft launch and recovery, with two takeoff runways and one landing runway. This system enhances the carrier's ability to support both conventional and unmanned aerial operations.

Technologically, MUGEM is equipped with the MIDLAS 32-cell vertical launch system and four GÖKDENİZ Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS) for air defense, making it a well-protected asset in high-threat environments. The ship’s propulsion relies on a COGAG (Combined Gas and Gas) system, featuring four LM 2500 gas turbines, and two controllable pitch propellers for efficient maneuverability.

Analysis

Unveiling of Türkiye's Milli Uçak Gemisi (MUGEM) at SAHA EXPO 2024 represents a critical development in the country's naval and defense strategy, signaling its growing self-reliance and ambition to assert regional dominance.

MUGEM is a significant leap in both size and capability compared to TCG Anadolu, reflecting Türkiye’s intent to project power beyond its immediate waters. This aircraft carrier, boasting a 60,000-ton displacement and the capacity to carry 50 aerial platforms, positions Türkiye to operate independently across a variety of missions in contested areas like the Eastern Mediterranean.

MUGEM is equipped to handle both manned aircraft, such as the HÜRJET, and unmanned systems like the Bayraktar TB3 and KIZILELMA, offering a flexible approach to air and naval dominance. This ability to combine the persistence of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with the rapid response of manned aircraft gives Türkiye a considerable tactical advantage in complex maritime environments.

Additionally, the decision to use the STOBAR system (Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) highlights Türkiye's current technological limitations, but it also underscores the nation’s ambition to eventually develop more advanced systems like CATOBAR (Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery), which would enhance the carrier’s versatility in launching heavier aircraft.

Strategically, MUGEM serves not only as a force multiplier but also as a powerful symbol of deterrence in the region. It sends a clear message to regional actors, particularly Greece, about Türkiye’s growing naval capabilities. Equipped with sophisticated defense systems like the MIDLAS vertical launch system and GÖKDENİZ air defense platforms, MUGEM is designed to defend itself from air and missile threats, ensuring its operational survival even in high-threat environments​.

However, this development also raises questions about how MUGEM will affect Türkiye’s relationship with NATO allies. On one hand, it enhances the alliance’s collective security in the Mediterranean, but on the other, Türkiye’s increasingly independent defense posture could create tensions, especially if Ankara's naval assertiveness in contested waters grows. The carrier’s capability to support UAVs and future jets like a potential naval version of the KAAN also suggests a long-term vision of self-sufficiency and technological parity with the most advanced navies, particularly as the geopolitical landscape in the region continues to evolve.