Launched at a ceremony at Anadolu Shipyard, the New- Type Landing Craft (LCT) ç-159 represents a major turning point in naval capability for Turkiye.
Secretary of Defence Industries Haluk Görgün underlined at the event that the main objective of the institution is to address the demands of the armed services using maximum local and national resources, according Anadolu News Agency.
"Many of our indigenously built naval platforms continue to serve the Blue Homeland (Mavi Vatan) and fly our flag with pride," Görgün stated.
Görgün underlined Turkiye's developments in indigenous technology including many radar systems, communication systems, electronic warfare, and vertical launch systems. "Thanks to the development of these critical systems, we have raised the local content rate in our ships from 20 per cent to 80 percent over the past 23 years," he said. Turkiye, he underlined, is among the few nations competent to design, build, equip, and maintain all kinds of military vessels, including amphibious ships, support vessels, warships, submarine rescue vessels, and unmanned naval systems.
Emphasising future ambitions, Görgün stated Turkiye intends to establish a national submarine and aircraft carrier to crown its achievements. He underlined Turkiye's growing significance in providing allies such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Qatar navy platforms.
Görgün announced a groundbreaking achievement for Turkiye: signing its first military ship export contract with a European Union and NATO member. Under this agreement, two replenishment and logistics support ships will be built for the Portuguese Navy. The New-Type Landing Craft Project was launched at the beginning of 2024 to deliver upgraded high-speed tank landing crafts (LCTs) to the Turkish Navy. "Under the leadership of Anadolu Shipyard, the construction of eight vessels is underway. We launched the first ship within 10 months of signing the contract in April 2024," Görgün remarked.
He ended by reaffirming that this year the Ç-159 will be given to the Turkish Navy after acceptance testing. Completing the remaining seven ships throughout the following 27 months will guarantee Turkiye's amphibious capabilities' timely replenishment.
