Turkish president Erdogan commissions amphibious assault ship TCG Anadolu.

According to information published by the Turkish government on April 10, 2023, President Erdogan has officially commissioned the amphibious assault ship TCG Anadolu into the Turkish Navy.
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New amphibious assault ship TCG Anadolu during the ceremony. (Picture source: Turkish government)

On the occasion of the ceremony, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan delivered a speech in Istanbul. He hailed the TCG Anadolu as a symbol of Türkiye's assertive position and leadership in the world and the region in the 21st Century.

Moreover, the president emphasized the ship's ability to conduct military and humanitarian operations worldwide, owing to the tanks and armored amphibious assault vehicles it carries.

He also noted that the project has an indigenization rate of 70%, and Türkiye can now deploy a battalion-sized force to crisis zones without needing main base support.

The new amphibious assault ship TCG Anadolu plays a crucial role in the country's strategic concept of the Mavi Vatan (Blue Homeland).

Mavi Vatan

Mavi Vatan is a doctrine declared by the Republic of Turkey, which covers the maritime jurisdiction areas (territorial waters, continental shelf, and exclusive economic zone) declared in the Black Sea, Mediterranean, and Aegean.

The Mavi Vatan concept was first introduced by Cem Gürdeniz during a symposium on the Black Sea and Maritime Security held by the Navy Command on June 14, 2006.

Cihat Yaycı contributed to the development of the concept, and it was recorded in his book "Basic Maritime Law" in 2010. After 2015, the Mavi Vatan played an effective role in Turkey's military-based strategy in maritime areas, and in 2019, the first-ever Mavi Vatan Exercise was conducted simultaneously in the Black Sea, Aegean, and Mediterranean Seas.

The agreement on the delimitation of maritime jurisdiction areas between Turkey and Libya is one of the concrete steps of the Mavi Vatan doctrine.

TCG Anadolu

In its amphibious assault ship configuration, the TCG Anadolu has a displacement of 27,079 tons, while in its V/STOL aircraft carrier configuration, it has a displacement of 24,660 tons. The ship is 232 meters long and 32 meters wide, with a draught of 6.9 meters.

The propulsion system includes 5 x 8,000 kW Navantia Man Diesel Generators, 2 x 11 MW Siemens SiPOD, and 2 x 1,500 kW bow thrusters, providing a speed of 21 knots and a range of 9,000 nautical miles at 16 knots. The ship can accommodate a complement of 4 x LCM or 2 x LCAC.

The ship is equipped with advanced sensors and processing systems, including a SMART-S Mk.2 S-band 3D radar, SPN-720 Naval Precision Approach Radar, GENESIS-ADVENT Combat Management System, IRST, IFF, TDL, VMF, SATCOM, LWR, DDS, and Torpedo Defense System. The armament includes 1 x RAM, 2 x Phalanx CIWS, and 5 x 25 mm Aselsan STOP RCWS.

The TCG Anadolu can carry a range of aircraft, including 4 x T-129 ATAK, 8 x As532 or CH-47F, and 2 x S-70B Seahawk. It can also carry unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) such as the Baykar Bayraktar TB3 and Baykar Bayraktar Kızılelma, with a total of 30 to 50 folding-winged Bayraktar TB3.

The ship can be configured as a V/STOL aircraft carrier or as an amphibious assault ship, providing flexibility and adaptability for a range of military missions. It has the ability to sustain and operate the F-35B or UCAVs, making it a powerful asset for any military operation.