Turkey launched its first amphibious assault ship on Monday, aiming to extend its drone capabilities from land-based to naval operations.
The TCG Anadolu can handle only light aircraft, chiefly helicopters and jets that can take off from shorter runways. It is 232 meters long and 32 meters wide, and can carry some 1,400 personnel - one battalion of soldiers - combat vehicles and support units to operate overseas.
"This vessel will allow us to conduct military and humanitarian operations in every corner of the world, when needed," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at the launch ceremony in Istanbul. "We see this vessel as a symbol that will consolidate Turkey's regional leadership position," he said.
Turkish UCAVs Bayraktar TB3 and Kizilelma drones and light attack aircraft Hurjet can land on and take off from the ship, he added.
Türkiye will be able to conduct military and humanitarian operations all around the world thanks to the ship, which can also carry armored vehicles, the president said.
The ship's weapon, combat management, electronic warfare, infrared search and track, electrooptical search, laser warning, torpedo defense systems, and radars were developed indigenously, he said.
As many as 131 sub-contractors joined the ship's building process, Erdogan said, adding that it can carry a battalion to any crisis region in the Aegean, Mediterranean and the Black Sea.
It also includes a full-fledged hospital facility and two operating rooms, the president said and added that Türkiye will become a game changer country by developing cutting edge systems and products.
