TCG ANADOLU, the largest platform of the Turkish Naval Forces, stood out with its multi-role operational capabilities during the EFES-2026 Combined Joint Live-Fire Field Exercise. Anchored off the coast of Urla in İzmir, the multipurpose amphibious assault ship hosted a series of activities demonstrating both air operation and amphibious warfare capabilities from a single platform.

As part of the exercise, pre-flight checks were carried out on the Bayraktar TB3 unmanned aerial vehicle stationed aboard the ship. After the checks were completed, the TB3 was moved from the hangar to the flight deck using TCG ANADOLU’s elevator system. This activity demonstrated Türkiye’s growing ability to conduct UAV operations from naval platforms and highlighted the future role of unmanned aerial systems in maritime operations.

Amphibious warfare training was also conducted during the exercise. Marine units embarked on Zırhlı Amfibi Hücum Aracı, known as ZAHA, to take part in landing operation scenarios. The use of ZAHA during EFES-2026 allowed the Turkish Naval Forces to test rapid movement from sea to shore, beachhead establishment and coordinated amphibious operations. This showed that TCG ANADOLU is not only a command and air operations platform but also a central asset for amphibious assault missions.

The exercise also included the transfer of amphibious marine elements aboard TCG ANADOLU to an SH-70 Seahawk helicopter. In addition, AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopter pilots carried out landing and takeoff training on the ship. These helicopter operations demonstrated the vessel’s ability to support air mobility, personnel transfer, reconnaissance, surveillance and, when required, attack missions during naval operations.

TCG ANADOLU’s activities during EFES-2026 underlined the importance of integrating manned and unmanned air assets with amphibious forces within the same operational architecture. In modern naval warfare, success depends not only on the firepower of warships but also on the coordinated use of different force elements. The operation of platforms such as TB3, ZAHA, SH-70 Seahawk and AH-1W Super Cobra from the same ship strengthened the Turkish Naval Forces’ joint and multi-layered operational capability.

As Türkiye’s largest domestically built warship, TCG ANADOLU serves as a critical force multiplier in the Blue Homeland with its large flight deck, amphibious vehicle capacity, air operation infrastructure and command-control capabilities. The capabilities demonstrated during EFES-2026 revealed the ship’s strategic role in rapid force projection, ship-to-shore operations, unmanned aerial vehicle missions and helicopter-supported naval tasks.

The performance of TCG ANADOLU during the exercise also reflected the Turkish defence industry’s ability to bring together naval platforms, amphibious vehicles and unmanned aerial systems within a single operational concept. The activities conducted at EFES-2026 strengthened the Turkish Armed Forces’ joint operation approach and offered an important field demonstration of TCG ANADOLU’s future mission profiles.