It’s a bold start to the year for Turkey’s navy, as the country embarks on building three cutting-edge warships that could reshape its naval capabilities. These new additions, a submarine, an aircraft carrier, and the flagship of the TF-2000 air-defence destroyer series highlight Turkey’s growing ambition to dominate the waves with domestically designed and built vessels.
This move is more than just about expanding a fleet. It’s a reflection of Turkey’s political aspirations and its pursuit of self-reliance in defence. By constructing these warships in-house, Turkey is reinforcing its local shipbuilding prowess, an integral part of its defence strategy.
The first sparks of the ambitious programme flew at the Gölcük Naval Shipyard, where work began on the National Submarine (MİLDEN). This diesel-electric submarine, cloaked in secrecy, boasts advanced capabilities designed to give Turkey a competitive edge below the surface.
With a displacement of 2,700 tons and a length exceeding 80 metres, the MİLDEN comes equipped with an Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system, allowing for extended submerged endurance. To top it off, its weapons, systems, and sensors are all developed domestically, an unmistakable sign of Turkey’s confidence in its own engineering.
Meanwhile, in Istanbul Naval Shipyard, the steel-cutting ceremony marked the beginning of a new chapter for the TF-2000 air-defence destroyer programme. Designed to intercept guided missiles, ballistic threats, and handle traditional naval combat roles, the TF-2000 is set to become a cornerstone of Turkey’s naval defence.
At 149 metres long, with a displacement of 8,300 tons, the destroyer is armed to the teeth. Its Combined Diesel Or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system allows speeds of up to 26 knots. Weaponry includes a 127mm main gun, a 35mm Gökdeniz close-in weapon system, and a 96-cell vertical launch system (VLS) for Turkish-made Siper and Hisar air-defence missiles, as well as Gezgin cruise missiles.
Its crown jewel? The ÇAFRAD phased array radar system, which boasts a detection range of up to 450 kilometres, providing the destroyer with unmatched situational awareness and response capabilities.
The centrepiece of this naval expansion is the National Aircraft Carrier (MUGEN), a vessel that represents Turkey’s leap into the big league of global naval powers. Stretching 285 metres in length and with a displacement of 60,000 tons, it dwarfs Turkey’s current flagship, the TCG Anadolu.
The MUGEN’s design draws inspiration from Britain’s Queen Elizabeth-class carriers, featuring a single ski jump runway angled at 12–14 degrees and a Short Take-Off and Barrier Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) configuration. This setup supports a mix of advanced Turkish-made aircraft, including the TB-3 UCAV combat drone, Hürjet manned aircraft, and Kızılelma unmanned jet.
The carrier is equipped with three arresting wires and two aircraft elevators one forward of the island and another after ensuring operational flexibility and rapid response in complex missions.
With these three warships under construction, the Turkish navy now has 31 vessels in various stages of development. This remarkable number underscores Turkey’s determination to become a dominant maritime force.
From extending its underwater endurance with MİLDEN to bolstering air-defence with the TF-2000 and projecting long-range power with MUGEN, Turkey’s naval ambitions are clear: to carve its place among the world’s leading naval powers.
