The road to the TCG Anadolu ship started in 2010 when seven shipyards received a Request for Proposal (RfP) for the tender opened within the scope of the Dock Landing Ship (LPD) project. The RMK Marine Shipyard won the tender, but the ship’s structure and the constructor shipyard were changed.
When it was not possible to import the F-35B type STOVL aircraft planned to be deployed on the ship, a new task definition was introduced, such as using UCAV. The ship was called Multi-Purpose Amphibious Assault Ship Project, and Sedef Shipyard became the new contractor. The vessel was built according to the Spanish state shipyard Navantia’s Juan Carlos 1 ship design. Sedef became the main contractor, and Navantia became the subcontractor.
The ship was launched in May 2019 as a result of the work started in 2015. Preliminary acceptance of the ship, which started sea acceptance tests in June 2022, was completed in January 2023. The Defence Industry Agency (SSB) project was officially transferred to the Naval Forces Command with a ceremony held today. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also attended the ceremony.
Once the ship is put into service, it will participate in extensive trials for a year. This will allow the crew to familiarise themselves with the ship. The personnel will prepare its annual user report. According to the result of this report, the force decides on the final delivery.
TCG ANADOLU will achieve an essential capability with the UCAV that will be launched and recovered. For this, Bayraktar TB3 UCAV with folding wings is being developed by BAYKAR. In addition, various studies are underway to enable the KIZILELMA UCAV, also developed by BAYKAR, and the HÜRJET Light Attack Aircraft, developed by TUSAŞ, to launch and recover. After the TB3 UAV, KIZILELMA and HÜRJET platforms have made their first flights in 2023, it is planned to start integration work on the ship. So far, KIZILELMA has successfully completed more than three test flights.
While the ship was constructed for STOVL or helicopter-capable aerial platforms, platforms suitable for launch in short distances that traverse the entire deck and take-off from the ski jump will serve. A separate study will be required to recover these platforms on their final approach. As understood from the statements of Baykar Board of Directors Selçuk Bayraktar, a cable-catching system will be installed on the ship so that KIZILELMA can stop on its landing. In this case, Turkish Aerospace production Hürjet is also expected to use this system.
TCG ANADOLU will have the capacity for force projection of at least one battalion size in the Aegean, Mediterranean and Black Sea to the crisis region with its own logistics support without requiring home base support.
The ship has a maximum speed of at least 20.5 knots and a cruise speed of 16 knots at full load displacement. With its economic speed, the ship has an operational range of at least 9,000 nautical miles at full load.
The well-deck of the ship hosts four Mechanized Landing Crafts (MLC) and carries one tank each.
The ship has 13 tanks, 27 Armoured Marine Assault Vehicles (MAV)-ZAHA, six Armoured combat Vehicles - ACV, and 33 Various Vehicles, including 15 trailers. It can carry 94 vehicles in total.
On the flight deck;
A total of ten helicopters or 11 UAVs can be deployed, and it will be able to carry 19 helicopters or 30 UCAVs in its hangar.
Welding ceremonies of the 6th, 7th and 8th ships (İstif Class Frigates) of the MİLGEM program were also performed at the ceremony.
