TCG Anadolu (L-400)

TCG Anadolu Multi-Purpose Amphibious Assault Ship (LHD) is the world’s first armed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) carrier, designed for the Turkish Naval Forces Command. It integrates land, sea, and air elements and is capable of conducting amphibious operations, air operations, and humanitarian aid/disaster relief missions. The vessel can deploy military vehicles, helicopters, and unmanned aerial systems and possesses the capability to autonomously reach crisis and conflict zones, conduct beach landings, evacuate personnel, and provide logistical support. It also features fully equipped hospital and operating room sections. TCG Anadolu is positioned as a national defense industry product with a high localization rate and equipped with modern avionics, weapons, and electronic warfare systems.

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The TCG Anadolu project was launched in 2015 by the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) to meet the Turkish Naval Forces’ requirement for a Multi-Purpose Amphibious Assault Ship (LHD). The primary objective of the program is to introduce a strategic platform capable of force projection and amphibious operations in the Aegean, Mediterranean, and Black Seas without reliance on main base support.

The project was developed in collaboration between Sedef Shipyard and the Spanish company Navantia, drawing inspiration from the design of the Juan Carlos I ship in the Spanish Navy inventory. In this project, 131 subcontractors, along with universities and research centers, also participated.

30 April 2016 marked the official start of construction with the first steel cutting ceremony at Sedef Shipyard. The construction process included block fabrication, assembly, and system integration. Between 2019 and 2022, the main hull assembly was completed and testing of the ship’s marine systems commenced.

7 March 2022 saw TCG Anadolu conduct its first sea acceptance and navigation trials (sea trials). These tests verified the performance of the ship’s propulsion, navigation, and core systems. Throughout construction, the flight deck and hangar deck were modified to accommodate rotary-wing and fixed-wing unmanned aerial systems (UAS/UAVs).

Following the completion of sea and port acceptance tests, temporary acceptance of TCG Anadolu was carried out on 21 January 2023. The ship’s official entry into the Turkish Naval Forces inventory and commissioning occurred on 10 April 2023. TCG Anadolu serves as the flagship and largest displacement unit of the Turkish Navy.

Operationally, in addition to amphibious missions, it is being used as a test and training platform for the integration of indigenous aerial systems, particularly the Bayraktar TB3 UAVs, and for maritime-based operations. Its first major mission after commissioning was to serve as the flagship for the June 2023 “Deniz Kurdu Exercise” conducted in the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas. During this exercise, the ship’s amphibious assault capabilities and command-and-control functions were operationally tested.

TCG Anadolu (L-400) is designed as the world’s first armed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) carrier in the Multi-Purpose Amphibious Assault Ship (LHD) class and is the largest military vessel in Türkiye. Twelve countries worldwide possess ships of this scale. The vessel has the capacity to transport a force of at least battalion size to crisis areas in the Aegean, Mediterranean, and Black Seas with its own logistical support and without requiring main base assistance.

The localization rate of the project is approximately 70 percent. All systems on board—including weapons, combat management systems, electronic warfare systems, and radars—were developed using domestic and national capabilities. Additionally, the fully equipped hospital and operating room facilities were designed to support natural disaster relief missions.

TCG Anadolu measures 231 meters in length and 32 meters in width. With a full-load displacement of up to 27,436 tons, the ship can operate at a maximum speed of at least 20.5 knots and an economical speed of 16 knots.

TCG Anadolu is recognized as the world’s first UAV carrier due to its ability to launch and recover UAVs. For this purpose, Baykar developed the foldable-wing Bayraktar TB3 UAV. Additionally, integration efforts are ongoing to enable the Bayraktar Kızılelma and the TUSAŞ-developed Hürjet Light Attack Aircraft to conduct takeoffs and landings aboard the vessel.

The flight deck can accommodate 10 helicopters or 11 UAVs, while the hangar can carry 19 helicopters or 30 UAVs.

The ship can carry a total of 94 vehicles on its vehicle decks. The breakdown is as follows: 13 tanks, 27 Armored Amphibious Assault Vehicles (ZAHA), 6 armored personnel carriers, 33 miscellaneous vehicles, and 15 trailers.

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Designed in accordance with the UAV carrier concept, TCG Anadolu provides the capability to deploy primary air platforms. The indigenous air systems targeted for deployment and under development include:

• Fixed-Wing UAVs: Baykar has developed the foldable-wing Bayraktar TB3 UAV. Integration efforts are ongoing to enable the Bayraktar Kızılelma combat UAV and the Hürjet Light Attack Aircraft developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) to operate from the ship.
• Aircraft Capacity: The flight deck can accommodate 10 helicopters or 11 UAVs, while the hangar can carry 19 helicopters or 30 UAVs.

^{Image of Bayraktar TB3 UAV during Deniz Kurdu Exercise (}Ministry of National Defense⁾

The ship is equipped with various indigenous and foreign-origin self-defense systems to protect itself against close-range air and surface threats.

• Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS): The ship is armed with U.S.-made Phalanx Close-In Weapon Systems to counter air and surface threats; firing tests of these systems have been successfully completed.
• Stabilized Weapon Systems: Five 25 mm STOP and four 12.7 mm STAMP weapon systems, developed by ASELSAN, fulfill the self-defense role.
• Combat Management and Electronic Warfare: The combat management system, electronic warfare systems, infrared search and track system, electro-optical search system, laser warning system, and torpedo defense system were developed using domestic and national capabilities. Communication systems were developed through a partnership between ASELSAN and HAVELSAN.

The ship’s combat systems were developed through a partnership between ASELSAN and HAVELSAN. The platform has command and control (C2) capabilities and supports amphibious operations.

• Data Links: TCG Anadolu can utilize NATO-compatible tactical data link systems including Link 11, Link 16, Link 22, and VMF.
• Reconnaissance and Tracking Systems: The ship is equipped with indigenous electronic systems including an infrared search and track system, electro-optical search system, laser warning system, and torpedo defense system.

The ship’s radar and navigation systems were developed through the integration of domestic and foreign components to ensure operational effectiveness and flight safety.

The radar suite on TCG Anadolu includes one 3D search radar, one air detection and control radar, and one precision approach radar. Additionally, two LPI radars and navigation radars are also installed.

The TCG Anadolu project has successfully completed key milestones during construction, testing, and commissioning:

• Project Initiation: Construction began in 2015 at Sedef Shipyard in Tuzla, Istanbul, under the “Multi-Purpose Amphibious Assault Ship Project.”
• Launch: The ship was launched into the water in May 2019.
• Sea Trials: Sea acceptance trials commenced in June 2022, during which the ship completed 60 days of navigation.
• Commissioning: TCG Anadolu (L-400) was officially commissioned into the Turkish Navy during a ceremony held at Sedef Shipyard in Tuzla, Istanbul.

Following commissioning, TCG Anadolu began testing its operational capabilities:

• Initial Missions: Shortly after commissioning, the ship participated as the flagship in the “Deniz Kurdu Exercise” conducted in the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas in June 2023. Additionally, the ship was moored at Sarayburnu Harbor in Istanbul for public visits.

^{Citizens waiting in line to visit TCG Anadolu at Sarayburnu Harbor (}AA⁾

• Air Defense Tests: The ship successfully conducted firing tests of its Phalanx Close-In Weapon Systems as part of its self-defense capabilities.

TCG Anadolu (L-400) belongs to the LHD (Landing Helicopter Dock) class and can be compared internationally with amphibious assault ships and UAV/helicopter carriers.

In design, TCG Anadolu draws inspiration from the Juan Carlos I (L-61)^【1】 ship in the Spanish Navy inventory. Other international counterparts include the U.S. Wasp and America-class amphibious assault ships^【2】 and LHD/LHA platforms of other nations^【3】.