Turkish Navy Begins Construction of MUGEM Aircraft Carrier, TF-2000 Destroyer, and MILDEN Submarine
Turkey’s defense industry has started the new year by initiating three significant projects aimed at meeting the strategic needs of the Turkish Naval Forces Command in maritime jurisdiction areas, referred to as the “Blue Homeland” (including territorial waters, continental shelf, and exclusive economic zones).
MUGEM Aircraft Carrier
The first of these was the MUGEM Indigenous aircraft carrier, whose construction officially began on January 2 with a steel-cutting ceremony at the Istanbul Shipyard, attended by Turkish Naval Forces officials and shipyard representatives. The MUGEM project was first publicized in February last year during a visit by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to the Istanbul Naval Shipyard. The design of the National Aircraft Carrier was then introduced during the SAHA EXPO International Defense, Aviation, and Space Industry Fair held at the Istanbul Expo Center on October 22-26, 2024.
According to information provided by the Turkish Ministry of Defense, the MUGEM (National Aircraft Carrier) will be 285 meters long, 72 meters wide, 10 meters draft, and approximately 60,000 tons displaced. These dimensions are more than twice the size of the Turkish Navy’s current largest ship, the TCG Anadolu. The aircraft carrier will be propelled by a Combined Gas Turbine and Gas Turbine (COGAG) system powered by four LM2500 gas turbines. This configuration allows the ship to achieve a maximum speed of 25+ knots and a cruising range of 10,000 nautical miles at 14 knots. In addition, the carrier, which is expected to be manned by at least 800 personnel, is expected to be able to operate for 60 days without logistics support and to maintain its operational capability uninterruptedly, even in sea state 6.
The carrier will have the capacity to carry 50 aircraft, 20 on the flight deck and 30 in the hangar section. These aircraft will include the naval version of TAI’s Hurjet light attack aircraft, TAI’s ANKA-III unmanned combat aircraft, Baykar’s Bayraktar KIZILELMA unmanned combat aircraft, and the TB-3 unmanned aerial vehicle. The ship will have three runways, two for takeoff and one for landing, and the aircraft will take off and land using the STOBAR (Short Takeoff But Arrested Recovery) system. However, Turkish engineers plan to further enhance this capability in the future by developing a domestic catapult system.
MUGEM draws attention not only to its carrying and operational capacity but also to its defense capabilities. The aircraft carrier will feature the ADVENT Combat Management System developed by HAVELSAN and will be equipped with the 32-cell (8×4) MİDLAS Vertical Launch System (VLS) against long-range air and sea threats. For close-range defense, four GÖKDENİZ Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS) will be deployed. Additionally, seven ASELSAN 25mm STOP Remote Controlled Weapon Systems will be integrated into the ship, ensuring adequate protection against asymmetric threats.
TF-2000 Air Defense Destroyer
The second project was the TF-2000 Air Defense Destroyer, for which construction activities began at the same shipyard on the same day as MUGEM. The TF-2000 project, the final phase of the MILGEM Program, was initiated in July 2017 to meet the Turkish Navy’s air defense destroyer needs. The TF-2000, which will be much larger than the ADA Class Corvettes and ISTIF Class Frigates built within the scope of the Milgem program, will have a total length of 149 meters, a width of 21.5 meters, a displacement of 8,300 tons, and a draft of 5.75 meters. Two gas turbines and two diesel engines (CODOG configuration) will propel it to a top speed of 26+ knots.
The TF-2000 destroyer will be equipped with a range of powerful weapon systems to meet the modern needs of the Turkish naval forces and to increase its deterrence at sea. The ship’s air defense capabilities will consist of a total of 96 MİDLAS Vertical Launch Systems (VLS), 32 of which are located on the bow behind the main gun and 64 in the center of the ship. VLS cells can launch air defense missiles such as SİPER and HİSAR-D RF, as well as GEZGİN cruise missiles. Other weapon systems on the TF-2000 destroyer include 16 ATMACA anti-ship missiles, 127mm guns, Aselsan-made 25mm STOP guns in turrets, a 35 mm Gökdeniz Close Range Weapon System (CIWS) at the stern, and a Roketsan-made LEVENT RAM launcher with a capacity of 21 missiles.
In addition to all these, the TF-2000 destroyer includes a laser warning system, LPI Radar, Navigation Radar, Electro-Optical Director, Combat Electronic Support System, ÇAFRAD Multi-Function Radar, Infrared Search and Tracking System, X-band satellite Communication System, IFF System, Radar Electronic Support System, Torpedo Jamming and Deception System, and ADVENT Combat Management System.
MILDEN Submarine
The third and final project is the MILDEN submarine, for which construction activities officially began at Gölcük Shipyard. The MILDEN project aims to develop an entirely domestically designed submarine, in contrast to the Type 214TN REİS Class air-independent propulsion (AIP) submarines, which were built under license from the German shipbuilding company TKMS (ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems) with more than 80% domestic contribution. The project team initiated the project in March 2012, and they completed its conceptual design in 2024.
The MILDEN is being designed as a diesel-electric vessel with a displacement of approximately 2,700 tons, a length of over 80 meters, and an air-independent propulsion system. Although the relevant officials have not fully disclosed the details of the project yet, the submarine will feature indigenously developed weapon systems, telecommunications, propulsion, and sensors to meet the Turkish Navy’s future operational requirements. The submarine is likely to join the Turkish Navy’s inventory in the 2030s.
These three naval projects are among the most challenging ever undertaken by the Turkish Navy. Given their unique challenges, it will be intriguing to see whether they succeed.