06.02.2025 20:10
The Turkish defense industry's national aircraft carrier project, Mavi Vatan, has received extensive coverage in a military newspaper in China. The report stated, "President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan aims to make Turkey an influential country on a global scale. With a large aircraft carrier, the Turkish Navy will be able to conduct operations in distant regions such as the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic."
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An article published in the "PLA Daily," the official newspaper of the People's Liberation Army of China, reported that Turkey has begun the construction of a large aircraft carrier.
"TURKEY HAS STARTED TO FORM A DOUBLE AIRCRAFT CARRIER GROUP"
The article stated that the 60,000-ton ship would be twice the size of the 28,000-ton TCG Anadolu, which is currently Turkey's largest warship, and used the headline, "Turkey has started to form a double aircraft carrier group."
"WILL ENABLE TURKEY TO BE ONE OF A FEW COUNTRIES"
The article noted that National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler announced the construction of three new warships, including a new aircraft carrier, a submarine, and a destroyer, stating, "This move will enable Turkey to be one of the few countries with a double aircraft carrier group."
"CAN CARRY A TOTAL OF 50 FIGHTER AIRCRAFT"
The article mentioned that the ship being built at the Istanbul Shipyard will be 285 meters long, 72 meters wide, and have a draft of 10.1 meters; it will reach a maximum speed of 25 knots and a range of 10,000 nautical miles; it can carry a total of 50 fighter aircraft, with 20 on the flight deck and 30 in the hangar.
"LOCALIZATION RATE WILL EXCEED 80%"
The article indicated that the localization rate in the new ship is expected to exceed 80% compared to the TCG Anadolu, and that the ship will be equipped with a 32-cell vertical launch system developed by the Turkish defense industry, 4 close air defense systems, and 7 remote-controlled weapon stations, with the aim of integrating Turkey's own developed aircraft launch system into this ship.
"TURKISH NAVY WILL BE ABLE TO OPERATE IN REMOTE AREAS LIKE THE INDIAN OCEAN AND ATLANTIC"
The article highlighted that Turkey is strengthening its naval power not only to enhance its control over the seas due to disputes with Greece in the Aegean and Mediterranean but also to increase its global influence, stating: "President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan aims to make Turkey an effective country on a global scale. With a large aircraft carrier, the Turkish Navy will be able to operate in remote areas such as the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic."
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