Turkey is building a super aircraft carrier

Turkey has launched an ambitious project to build its own aircraft carrier called Mugem, which is set to become the largest warship in the region, surpassing even France's Charles de Gaulle.

The new ship, with a length of 285 meters and a displacement of over 60,000 tons, is scheduled to enter service by 2030, according to the website of the daily newspaper Figaro.

The Mugem will be able to carry around 50 aircraft, including Kizilelma combat drones and Hürjet light fighters, with more than 80 percent of the components to be manufactured locally. The project is part of Erdogan's “Blue Homeland” strategy, which aims to strengthen Turkey's influence on the seas.

The president claims that the goal is maritime independence and technological autonomy. The ship will be able to operate between Europe and America without refueling and will complement the existing Anadolu aircraft carrier and the future Trakya.

This would make Turkey one of the maritime powers, but the competition is not sleeping – France is preparing an even larger aircraft carrier, PANG, with a displacement of 75,000 tons.

(figaro, mja)