TCG Anadolu: Turkish Navy's First Amphibious Assault Ship

By IndraStra Global News Team

Cover Image Attribute: TCG Anadolu | Source:Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (Turkish Ministry of National Defence)

Last month, Turkey commissioned a new amphibious assault ship called the TCG Anadolu (L-400). The 27,436 tons vessel, measuring 232 meters in length and 32 meters in width, offers ample space to operate combat helicopters, military drones, and various infantry vehicles.
Initially, Turkey had intended to acquire and deploy F-35B aircraft on the Anadolu. However, due to the repercussions of Turkey's procurement of the S-400 air defense system from Russia, the United States imposed restrictions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, thereby prohibiting the sale of F-35A and F-35B aircraft to Turkey.
In response to this situation, Turkey made modifications to the Anadolu's design, transforming it into a vessel capable of carrying various types of drones, including stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAV) such as the Baykar Bayraktar Kızılelma or Turkish Aerospace (TUSAŞ) Anka-3. As a result, the Anadolu will maintain a fixed-wing combat aircraft capability to some extent as a substitute for the F-35B.

The Design

The TCG Anadolu, named after the peninsula of Anatolia in Turkey, is derived from the Juan Carlos I-Class landing platform dock (LPD), conceptualized initially and constructed by Navantia, a Spanish shipbuilding company. Turkey opted for this design and initiated the construction process in 2016. As part of its plans, the Turkish Navy intends to acquire a second ship of similar nature, known as the TCG Trakya.

It features a floodable well dock spanning 1,165 square meters, a light vehicle deck measuring 1,800 square meters, and 900 square meters of hangar space. It will also be outfitted with a fully-equipped flight deck spanning 5,440 square meters, featuring six landing spots and a ski-jump ramp at the front.

The Inventory

Aircraft
The TCG Anadolu possess the capability to accommodate six F35-B aircraft, two Seahawk multi-purpose helicopters, four ATAK helicopters, eight mid-range transport helicopters, and a pair of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
The ship is designed to facilitate deploying and retrieving unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs), including drones like the Baykar Bayraktar Kızılelma and TB-3 Bayraktar. Also, the ship's flight deck is engineered to support round-the-clock operations, accommodating the heaviest NATO helicopters and Osprey aircraft.
Surface Vehicles
Also, it has the capacity to transport a combined total of 94 vehicles, comprising 13 main battle tank tanks (MBTs), 27 armored amphibious assault vehicles, six armored personnel carriers, 33 miscellaneous vehicles, and 15 trailers. During amphibious assault operations, the ship can be arranged to accommodate either four landing craft mechanized (LCM), two landing craft air cushions (LCAC), or two landing craft vehicle personnel (LCVP), ensuring the swift deployment of troops and equipment during military campaigns. 

Weapon Systems

The aircraft carrier boasts an impressive array of weaponry and defense systems. It can be equipped with five Aselsan 25mm STOP remote weapon systems. These advanced systems, manufactured by Aselsan, are designed for precision targeting and can be remotely operated, providing a significant advantage in combat situations.
In addition to the Aselsan systems, the carrier can be armed with two Raytheon Phalanx close-in weapon systems (CIWS). These are rapid-fire, computer-controlled, radar-guided gun systems designed to defeat anti-ship missiles and other close-in air and surface threats, providing a robust layer of defense for the carrier.
The carrier's armament is further enhanced by the inclusion of the Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) surface-to-air missile system. The RAM system is a small, lightweight, infrared-homing surface-to-air missile in use by multiple navies worldwide. It is designed to destroy anti-ship missiles and offers a high firepower-to-size ratio, making it an ideal choice for a carrier-based defense system.
In terms of underwater defense, the carrier is expected to be fitted with Hizir torpedo countermeasures systems. These systems are designed to detect and neutralize incoming torpedoes, providing protection against underwater threats. The integration of the Hizir systems underscores the comprehensive approach to defense adopted in the design of the carrier, ensuring it is well-equipped to handle threats from all directions.

Radars and Sensors

The TCG Anadolu will incorporate Armelsan's ARAS-2023 sonar system, specifically designed for detecting divers. The ship's radar system will be comprehensive, including two navigation radars, a SMART-S naval 3-D search radar, and two Alper low probability of intercept (LPI) radars. Additionally, it will feature a precision approach radar and an aerial vehicle detection and control radar. The ship will be equipped with the Leonardo SPN-720 Precision Approach Radar to aid aircraft in landing under any weather conditions.
The ship's combat management will be handled by an onboard Turkish system called GENESIS-ADVENT.
The amphibious assault ship will also be outfitted with electronic warfare and decoy launching systems to enhance its defensive capabilities. For reconnaissance and surveillance, the SeaEye-AHTAPOT electro-optical system will be used. Furthermore, the ship will include a PIRI infrared search and track system, adding another layer of detection and tracking capabilities.

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