Turkish Navy launches helicopter carrier

Turkey continues to develop its defence industry with the latest unveiling of the TCGV Anadolu helicopter carrier, an amphibious assault ship built to carry light aircraft and military drones which is seen as a symbol that will reinforce Turkey as a leader in the region.

"Turkish Bayraktar TB3 and Kizilelma drones and the light Hurjet fighters will be able to take off from, and land on the ship," said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is campaigning for re-election in May.

Erdogan said that the new vessel would allow Turkey to "carry out military and humanitarian operations in the four corners of the world if necessary".

"We see this ship as a symbol that will reinforce our position as a leader in its region and a voice in the world. TCG Anadolu, which was put into service, is the world's first warship in its field, where the largest and heaviest helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles can land and take off."

Turkey has significantly developed its defence industry in recent years, with Ankara, in particular, vaunting the success of its combat drones. These are developed by the Baykar company, co-run by one of Erdogan's sons-in-law, have been used in Azerbaijan, Libya and Ukraine.

TCG Anadolu, which will assume the flagship role, officially entered the service for the Turkish Navy. The delivery was announced on January 21, 2023, but the ceremony was conducted on April 10 due to the ongoing tests, and the busy schedule of the Turkish officials.

The steel cutting ceremony of three I-class frigates, awarded last week to the partnership STM-TAIS, also took place following the commissioning ceremony of TCG Anadolu.

“The TCG Anadolu is the first warship in the world in this area where drones can land and take off together with the largest and heaviest helicopters. She has features that will enable us to conduct military and humanitarian operations in any corner of the world if needed.”

The Chief of the Turkish Navy, Admiral Ercument Tatlioglu said at the ceremony that the Anadolu

can deploy 12 manned or unmanned combat aircraft, 21 different types of helicopters, and UCAVs as air assets. As land vehicles, she can deploy 13 tanks, 27 amphibious assault vehicles, 6 armoured personnel carriers, 33 various light and heavy vehicles, and 15 trailers in her deck. Anadolu is also able to carry 4 LCMs and 2 LCVPs”

Seven years to launch

TCG Anadolu‘s steel cutting ceremony took place on April 30, 2016, and the keel laying of the first blocks took place on February 5, 2018 ., as planned. On May 4, 2019, the new LHD was launched from dry dock. On 04 March 2022, the Turkish Navy raised the Turkish flag on the LHD, and she completed her first “technical voyage” on three days later. TCG Anadolu began sea trials in June 2022, and her delivery to the Turkish Navy was completed on January 21, 2023

It was reportedly planned to transform the ship into a drone carrier after the demise of the U.S. / Turkey partnership on the F-35 JSF project. As a result, Baykar, a Turkish drone manufacturer, announced in early 2021 that it was working on a specific UCAV called TB-3, an improved and folding-wing version of the combat-proven TB2 drone that would be deployed aboard TCG Anadolu.

At 231 metres long and 32 metres wide, the ship can accommodate combat helicopters and military drones, as well as up to 94 vehicles, including 13 tanks. The Anadolu features a 9.200 metre-square area for air assets. The ship will have a top speed of 20.5 knots and a range of 9000 nautical miles when fully loaded.