Turkey

Turkey plans to construct its first domestically-built aircraft carrier, signaling ambitions to bolster naval power with a 60,000-ton vessel featuring a STOBAR system and indigenous aircraft integration.

Turkey has unveiled plans to construct its first domestically-built aircraft carrier, signaling its ambitions for heightened naval power. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced this program in February 2024, emphasizing Turkey's aim to bolster its naval capabilities and potentially surpass India's current carrier program in size.

The technical specifications of the new carrier, presented by the Istanbul Naval Shipyard, reveal impressive dimensions—a length of 285 meters and a displacement of 60,000 tons. This focus on size is notable, as it surpasses India's sole operational carrier, INS Vikramaditya, which has a displacement of around 45,000 tons.

Operational Capabilities: The carrier will feature a STOBAR (Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) system, with plans for an eventual domestically developed catapult system. The airwing is expected to comprise 50 aircraft, including domestically produced Hurjet light attack aircraft and potentially navalized drones. Defensive systems will include a 32-cell vertical launch system and close-in weapon systems.

Challenges Ahead: Despite the ambitious plans, building a functional aircraft carrier is a complex task requiring substantial technological expertise and resources. Integrating novel aircraft onboard will also necessitate rigorous testing and training.

Expert Insights: Analysts caution against solely focusing on size comparison. While surpassing India's carrier in physical dimensions is noteworthy, operational effectiveness will depend on factors like crew training, airwing capabilities, and integration with the broader Turkish navy.

Implications: Turkey's aircraft carrier program represents a significant stride in its quest for a robust navy. Successfully developing and deploying this vessel would solidify Turkey's position as a major regional naval power.

However, observers will closely monitor Turkey's progress, particularly its ability to overcome technical challenges and transform its ambitious plans into a truly operational and impactful carrier force.