Turkey has announced plans to extend the length of its first-ever aircraft carrier to 300 meters (approximately 984 feet), a move that would position the vessel as one of the longest warships operated by any NATO ally, surpassing key European counterparts.
Why it matters
Although Turkey is a member of NATO, the nation has increasingly sought defense autonomy by developing its own military technology rather than relying solely on foreign imports. This ambitious naval project underscores Ankara’s desire to project power in the Mediterranean and beyond. By extending the carrier’s length, Turkey is not just aiming for prestige; a longer flight deck directly impacts operational capabilities, allowing for more aircraft, longer runways, and different launch systems.
What to know
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan revealed the revised specifications while speaking at an Istanbul shipyard on Saturday, focusing on the nation’s growing naval construction industry. Erdogan noted that construction has already begun on the new carrier, describing it as an “older brother” to the TCG Anadolu, an amphibious assault ship currently in service that measures 261 meters long.
When details of the carrier—currently dubbed the MUGEM-class—were first unveiled in late 2024, the design called for a length of 935 feet and a displacement of 60,000 tons. The new 984-foot target brings the Turkish vessel closer to the scale of American supercarriers. For comparison, the USS Gerald R. Ford is 1,107 feet long, while Nimitz-class carriers measure roughly 1,092 feet.
While displacement (the weight of water a ship pushes aside) is the most accurate measure of a ship’s size, length is critical for aviation operations. The revised dimensions push the Turkish ship well past the length of the United Kingdom’s Queen Elizabeth-class carriers (932 feet) and France’s Charles de Gaulle (857 feet).
Originally, plans suggested the carrier would host up to 50 aircraft, with 20 stationed on the deck, operated by a crew of 800. The design has also shifted from a “ski-jump” ramp for takeoff to a locally manufactured catapult system.
What people are saying
President Erdogan emphasized the strategic importance of the project during the event, where he also announced the commissioning of the TCG Hızırreis, the second of Turkey’s Reis-class submarines, and highlighted the ULAQ, a new uncrewed surface vessel.
Defense analysts note that while the hull is growing, the air wing remains a complex variable. Because Turkey was removed from the US F-35 program in 2019 following its purchase of Russian S-400 missile systems, the country is unlikely to deploy vertical-takeoff F-35B jets. Instead, the focus is shifting toward domestic solutions for the carrier’s air group.
What happens next
As work proceeds on the hull, observers will be watching to see how the increased deck space is utilized. The shift to a catapult system suggests Turkey intends to launch heavier, fixed-wing aircraft or perhaps advanced unmanned aerial vehicles.
Turkey currently maintains NATO’s second-largest standing military in terms of active personnel, trailing only the United States. The completion of this carrier would mark a significant milestone in its transition from a buyer of defense technology to a major manufacturer and naval power.
