At the recent 12th Naval Systems Seminar held in Istanbul on May 26-27, Rear Admiral Mehmet Savaş Eser, commander of the Turkish Naval Air Command, delivered an in-depth presentation on the current status and future developments of Türkiye’s naval air capabilities. A focal point of his speech was the anticipated air wing to be deployed on Türkiye’s indigenous aircraft carrier, the MUGEM (Milli Uçak Gemisi).
Rear Admiral Eser underscored the significant impact of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) on Turkish naval strategy, stating, “Türkiye’s rise as a UAV power over the last decade has profoundly influenced not only land operations but increasingly maritime strategy.” He referred to several key UAV systems, including the Bayraktar TB-2, the Aksungur developed by Turkish Aerospace (TUSAŞ), and the Anka-3, emphasizing their critical role in shaping the Turkish Navy’s future operational capabilities.
The Turkish Navy has already made extensive use of naval UAVs for various missions such as surveillance, reconnaissance, and tactical engagements, showcasing rapid advancements in operational concepts. The Aksungur UAV, in particular, is being developed for diverse applications, including anti-submarine warfare (ASW), maritime surveillance, and long-range strike capacities. An important achievement was reached recently with the completion of the initial phase of the Aksungur’s sonobuoy processing capabilities, which is a significant step towards evolving UAVs into effective unmanned maritime patrol and ASW platforms.
This progress signifies not only a leap in Turkey’s naval capabilities but also enhances its strategic presence in maritime security. With the ongoing development of the MUGEM aircraft carrier and its advanced UAV integration, Türkiye is poised to strengthen its role in regional and global naval dynamics.