Turkey Starts Design Work for Its Own Aircraft Carrier
For the past few years, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed his vision for Turkey to independently build an aircraft carrier to meet its strategic needs in the Mediterranean region.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — After successfully constructing and commissioning its drone carrier and largest warship, TCG Anadolu, Turkey has decided to initiate the design of its aircraft carrier.
For the past few years, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed his vision for Turkey to independently build an aircraft carrier to meet its strategic needs in the Mediterranean region.
According to reports from the country’s defence media publication, the decision to start the local design work for the aircraft carrier was made by the nation’s Defense Industry Executive Committee.
The committee also plans to continue the construction of four frigates under the MILGEM program.
Reports indicate that the design work for the aircraft carrier has already commenced.
Turkey will collaborate with Spain in the development of its aircraft carrier, similar to their partnership in building the drone carrier “TCG Anadolu,” designed as a Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD)/Amphibious Assault Ship.
On April 10 of last year, after approximately nine years of construction, the Turkish Navy officially received its largest warship, “TCG Anadolu,” weighing 27,000 tons.
Built at the Sedef Shipyard in Istanbul, TCG Anadolu incorporates at least 70 percent local components, even though the ship’s design was done abroad.
The design of Turkey’s latest naval warship is similar to the LHD design of the Spanish Navy’s “Juan Carlos.”
The largest warship of the Turkish Navy has a maximum speed of 21 knots and an operational range of 9,000 nautical miles.
It is equipped with advanced systems, including 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.
Its weaponry includes the Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM), Phalanx CIWS, and Aselsan STOP RCWS.
“TCG Anadolu” has the capability to carry a battalion of troops with all their equipment and operate for a certain period without the need for a land base.
It can also accommodate up to 30 wheeled armored vehicles or 45 armored vehicles, and its hangar can house up to 12 various types of helicopters.
Originally scheduled to carry fifth-generation F-35B (Vertical Short Take Off Landing) aircraft, Turkey’s expulsion from the F-35 program due to its acquisition of the Russian-made S-400 air defense system led the country to consider deploying unmanned aircraft on the carrier.
“TCG Anadolu” is expected to carry 80 unmanned aircraft, including the Bayraktar TB3 drone and the unmanned combat aerial vehicle “Kizilelma,” both developed by Baykar Technology.
TCG Anadolu is poised to become the world’s first operational drone carrier, whether for surveillance purposes or targeted offensive operations against enemy assets. –DSA
