Turkey begins steel-cutting on MUGEM and MiLDEN vessels
The Anadolu amphibious assault ship. The MUGEM aircraft carrier will be twice its size. (Photo: Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Adkins, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)
The MUGEM, TF-2000 and MiLDEN programmes all aim to boost Turkey’s domestic shipbuilding prowess and its fleet.
The Turkish Ministry of Defence has confirmed steel-cutting ceremonies for three major naval projects. On 2 January 2025, the Ministry announced work had begun on the MUGEM indigenous aircraft carrier, the TF-2000 AAW destroyer and the MILDEN indigenous submarine.
The steel-cutting ceremonies for the MUGEM and TF-2000 were conducted at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard, while the ceremony for the MILDEN submarine took place at the Gölcük Naval Shipyard.
The Turkish national aircraft carrier
The MUGEM (national aircraft carrier) project was first announced in February 2024, during a visit by President Erdoğan to the Istanbul Naval Shipyard.
The MUGEM gained attention
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 2 free stories per week
- Daily news round-up email service
- Access to all Decisive Edge email newsletters
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Mitsubishi to build new OPV for Indonesia to enhance security coverage]()
Mitsubishi to build new OPV for Indonesia to enhance security coverage
The offshore patrol vessel (OPV) will join its predecessor vessel in enforcing security around Indonesia’s coastline.
-
![US approves $900 million missile sale to the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force]()
US approves $900 million missile sale to the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force
The sale would advance the JMSDF’s ability to protect its assets and maintain peace in the Indo-Pacific region.
-
![UK opens new submarine centre to support nuclear deterrent vessels]()
UK opens new submarine centre to support nuclear deterrent vessels
The Submarine Availability Support Hub is the latest in a string of government investments in submarine warfare.
