Turkey to Produce MUGEM Aircraft Carrier; Specifications Leaked
Turkey has disclosed the latest details regarding the MUGEM aircraft carrier, which has now entered the construction phase and is targeted for delivery to the Turkish Navy by 2032. What makes this project particularly noteworthy is not merely its 60,000-tonne displacement, but its integrated concept designed to support air, surface, and subsurface operations within a single platform.
“MUGHM will be the largest aircraft carrier ever built by Turkey. Construction is underway,” stated Rear Admiral Hakan Uçar, Commander of the Turkish Naval Technical Command, during the Combined Naval Event (CNE) 2026 in Farnborough, UK, as reported by Naval News recently. Notably, the presentation featured not only design schematics but also photographs of steel blocks already being assembled at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard, indicating that the project has moved from theoretical planning to physical construction.
According to the latest specifications, the MUGEM will have a length of 285 metres, a maximum width of 72 metres, a hull depth of 10.1 metres, and a displacement of approximately 60,000 tonnes. The vessel is designed to achieve a maximum speed of over 26 knots, with a range of up to 10,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 14 knots. The ship is capable of accommodating up to 2,500 personnel, a significant increase from previous estimates of around 800 crew members. This capacity likely includes the ship’s crew, air wing personnel, command staff, technicians, and other essential support elements.
Regarding its aerial capabilities, Turkey revealed that the MUGEM will operate 52 aircraft and aerial vehicles, an increase from the previously planned 50 units. The ship’s air wing will consist of domestically produced platforms, including the naval version of the Hürjet, the Kızılelma combat drone, the Anka-3 stealth UCAV, and the TB-3 drone. All these assets will operate using the STOBAR (Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) concept via a 12-degree ski-jump runway. The composition of this air wing highlights the significant role of the Turkish defence industry in this future aircraft carrier project.