The amphibious assault ship TCG Anadolu has been inducted into Turkey’s naval forces in a ceremony presided over by Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The ship, designed as part of the Multipurpose Landing Craft (LHD) project, is intended to carry both helicopters and drones and is capable of deploying battalion-equivalent forces to target areas without requiring additional support from main bases. With a length of 231 meters and a beam of 32 meters, the TCG Anadolu will displace 27,436 tons once fully equipped.
According to reports, the TCG Anadolu project as a drone carrier came about following the US refusal to include Ankara in the F-35 fifth-generation fighter project, prompting Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar to work on a dedicated UAV called TB-3 that would be deployed aboard the vessel. In addition, studies are underway to adapt the ship to the use of the Bayraktar KIZILELMA combat drone system and HÜRJET light attack aircraft.
Ten helicopters or 11 attack drones could be deployed on the ship’s flight deck. In addition, the ship can accommodate 19 helicopters or 30 drones in the hangar. It is expected that the TCG Anadolu could be used in relief missions during natural disasters thanks to the complete hospital and operations room facilities, which would enable it to provide medical support in natural disaster relief operations, humanitarian aid, and refugee evacuation.
The Turkish President stated that the project of building three ships simultaneously in a private shipyard and delivering them to the Naval Forces in 36 months is unique in the world. The TCG Anadolu is the first of these ships, and its adaptation as a drone carrier makes it an important tool for Turkey’s defense in the region.