MUGEM-class aircraft carrier

The MUGEM-class aircraft carrier is an initiative by the Turkish Navy to build a fully indigenous carrier. MUGEM stands for Milli Uçak Gemisi, meaning National Aircraft Carrier.[1][2]

Class overview
NameMilli Uçak Gemisi (National Aircraft Carrier)
BuildersIstanbul Naval Shipyard
Operators Turkish Naval Forces
Preceded byAnadolu class
Planned1
General characteristics [1]
TypeAircraft carrier
Displacement60,000 t (59,000 long tons) full load
Length285 m (935 ft 0 in)
Beam72 m (236 ft 3 in)
Draft10.1 m (33 ft 2 in)
Propulsion4x LM2500 gas turbines
Speed
  • 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph) (cruising)
  • 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph)+ (maximum)
Range10,000 nautical miles (19,000 km; 12,000 mi)
Crew800+
Armament
Aircraft carriedUp to 50
Aviation facilitiesHangar for 30 aircraft

Development

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Plans for a future Turkish aircraft carrier were first announced in October 2023 by the president of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, as a cooperation between Spain and Turkey.[3]

On 25 April 2024 new details were released when press was welcomed at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard. Contrary to earlier news, it was revealed that the future aircraft carrier was not a development on the TCG Anadolu, but a completely new designed ship.[4]

A model of the ship was first shown at the 2024 SAHA EXPO, with further details being released, like propulsion, dimensions, design elements.[1]

Flight deck

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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.[1]

Aircraft

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The ship is planned to carry a mixture of different type of aircraft, both manned and unmanned.[1]

Potential aircraft include:

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Turkish Navy Unveils MUGEM: A Fully Indigenous Aircraft Carrier". Naval News. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  2. ^ "Turkey Releases Plans For Next Aircraft Carrier". The National Interest. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  3. ^ "Erdogan announces agreement with Spain on aircraft carrier construction". Nordic Monitor. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  4. ^ "New details about Turkiye's future aircraft carrier". Naval News. Retrieved 30 October 2024.