26.08.2026 12:50
Italy-based Formiche has examined Turkey's first national aircraft carrier, MUGEM, which Turkey aims to launch on September 27, 2027, writing that military balances in the Mediterranean will change. The Italian press noted that the 60,000-ton giant ship will set a world first by bringing together up to 52 KIZILELMA units as well as unmanned surface and underwater vehicles on the same platform, emphasizing that Turkey stands out as a new and powerful actor in the region.
Türkiye's steps in the defense industry and naval forces are preparing to completely alter the military balance in the Mediterranean. Italian publication Formiche examined the strategic transformation of the Turkish Naval Forces through Türkiye's first national aircraft carrier project, MUGEM. The analysis stated that Türkiye has openly become "Europe's new rival in the Mediterranean."
Italy-based Formiche published a comprehensive analysis titled "Will Türkiye launch its first aircraft carrier in 2027? How will the fate of the Mediterranean change?" The analysis reminded that Turkish Naval Forces Commander Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu announced that the MUGEM-class first national aircraft carrier, under construction in Gölcük, would be launched on September 27, 2027, and emphasized that a historic era is at hand for the Turkish navy.
"NOT JUST COASTAL DEFENSE, BUT AN INTERCONTINENTAL ROLE"
In the analysis, which also included evaluations by Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır, it was noted that Ankara's goal at sea is not limited to coastal defense. It was stated that Türkiye is no longer content with competing in "green waters" and aims for an intercontinental role, with the MUGEM project being the most critical element of this strategic leap.
60,000 TONS OF TURKISH POWER
In the Italian press, the massive technical specifications of MUGEM, dubbed "Turkish power," and its comparison with the Italian Navy were reported as follows:
- Size and Weight: Expected to be 285 meters long and weigh 60,000 tons, MUGEM will surpass the Italian Navy's flagship Trieste (245 meters long, 38,000 tons).
- Range and Speed: Planned with a maximum speed of 26 knots and a range of 10,000 nautical miles, the giant ship will have a carrying capacity of up to 2,500 personnel.
- Launch System: Designed to deploy air vehicles according to the STOLB system, the platform will carry Türkiye's own indigenous air power to sea level.
AIR AND SEA UNITE: WILL CARRY 52 KIZILELMA
It was stated that Türkiye's indigenous and national aviation projects will play a vital role in MUGEM's air power. It was noted that platforms such as the unmanned combat aircraft KIZILELMA developed by Baykar, the naval version of HÜRJET, ANKA-3, and Bayraktar TB3 are planned to be deployed on the ship, and it is targeted for MUGEM to carry up to 52 KIZILELMA.
"A WORLD FIRST: UNMANNED AIR, SURFACE, AND UNDERWATER SYSTEMS TOGETHER"
The most striking finding of the Italian analysis was that MUGEM is not designed merely as a classic aircraft carrier. It was emphasized that the ship represents a next-generation concept that will deploy unmanned surface and autonomous underwater vehicles directly from its own structure. It was stated that integrating Türkiye's 5 different types of unmanned surface vehicles, 2 kamikaze variants, and 3 autonomous underwater vehicle models onto this platform has not yet been achieved by any other country in the world.
INTEGRATED INDIGENOUS NAVAL WARFARE ECOSYSTEM
The analysis stated that Türkiye's move is not limited to a single ship, but a massive naval warfare ecosystem is being established. The other main elements reinforcing Türkiye's power were listed as follows:
- Surface and Subsurface Fleet: The TF-2000 air defense destroyer, Ada-class corvettes, Istanbul-class frigates continuing with the İzmir and İzmit ships after the first one, and Reis-class submarines.
- National Munitions Power: The Atmaca anti-ship missile, AKYA heavy torpedo, and Malaman smart naval mine developed by TÜBİTAK and the Turkish defense industry.
THE BALANCE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN IS BEING REWRITTEN
Formiche reminded that until now, the only coastal countries with aircraft carriers in the Mediterranean were Italy and France, and reported that with Türkiye joining this league, all balances in the region will be rewritten. Emphasizing Türkiye's critical importance on NATO's southern flank, the Italian press noted that Ankara is advancing steadily toward its 2027 goal and that Europe has gained a strong rival in the Mediterranean.