TCG ANADOLU L 400 Task Force Joins Neptune Strike 24.1

TCG ANADOLU L 400 has joined the Neptune Strike 24.1 joint exercise held by NATO members with its escorts. It is the first NATO exercise for TCG ANADOLU L 400. The ship conducted exercises in the Ionian Sea, close to Greece. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Greece being disturbed by the presence of a major Turkish surface combatant in an area for the first time as it considers its backyard. The TCG ANADOLU L 400 escort ships, the TCG Salihreis F 246 Barbaros-class frigate and the TCG Büyükada F-512 Ada-class corvette bring unique capabilities to the exercise. TCG Salihreis F 246, one of the most heavily armed warships in the Turkish Navy, is equipped with 16 Mk41 VLS and 127 mm Mk45 naval guns. TCG Büyükada F 512, an Ada-class corvette, is a primary ASW asset in the fleet with its reduced signature. A MARLIN USV fitted with ASELSAN’s AREAS-2NC electronic warfare system accompanied TCG ANADOLU. AREAS-2NC, developed specifically for USVs, can perform electronic support and electronic attack functions. MARLIN USV will also be fitted with KUZGUN KY surface-to-surface missiles of TÜBİTAK SAGE, which was test-fired in 2023. TCG ANADOLU L 400 LHD is a multi-purpose amphibious assault ship carrying land vehicles and helicopters. With its high carrying capacity, the ship will serve as an important force projection asset for the Turkish Navy. Work is ongoing to fit TCG ANADOLU L 400 with Bayraktar TB3 UCAVs, which can perform ISR and light strike missions with 32 hours of endurance and a range of 5700 km. Bayraktar TB3 is designed specifically for takeoff from TCG ANADOLU’s L 400 ski-jump runway and landing at a short distance without assistance. The latter capability was recently proven in tests with the UCAV awaiting its takeoff tests from a mock runway before the eventual takeoff from TCG ANADOLU L 400.